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| FishTails |
President's Message
[December 1, 2004 - By John Burdette, WVBF President]
Talk about living up to expectations - that's exactly what Mid-State Bassmaster Eric Stewart did during September's
BASS 2004 Eastern Divisional on gorgeous Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. I had "tongue in cheekishly"
written in April's President's Message that Eric was expected to follow in Russ Smarr's footsteps by qualifying
for the 2005 Federation Championship after winning both a State Qualifier and State Championship in 2003. Eric
did qualify for the 2005 Federation Championship after finishing first on the West Virginia team and tied for ninth
overall at the 2004 smallmouth dominated Divisional. Congratulations to Eric on a great job and good luck at the
Federation Championship next April. Oh, by the way there was another expectation scribed in that prophetic April
article which was for Eric to continue on in Russ Smarr's footsteps and qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. I'm
really looking forward to watching Eric compete at the CITGO Bassmaster Classic on the Ohio River in Pittsburgh
during the last week of July 2005.
Speaking of the 2005 Federation Championship, it will undoubtedly be the most awesome Federation tournament held
to date. The Championship will be contested in Kissimmee/St Cloud, Florida April 25-30, 2005. The first two competition
days will be held on Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) and the last two on Bay Lake at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The Federation Championship format will change from two practice and three competition days to one practice and
four competition days. All contenders will fish the first two competition days on Lake Toho and then the field
will be cut to 15 anglers (the top three contenders from each of the five divisions) for the last two competition
days on Bay Lake. We are all aware of the size bass Lake Toho produces and Bay Lake is known for its "hawg"
population as well. Word is that numerous six to nine pounders call Bay Lake home.
Congratulations to Brad Billeter of By-State Bassmasters for winning the 2004 West Virginia Bass Federation State
Championship. The State Championship was held at Moundsville on the Ohio River during October 23-24, 2004. Also,
congratulations to those qualifying for the 2005 State Team. See complete coverage of the 2004 State Championship
in the next issue of the West Virginia Bass Journal.
We are still working on restructuring the Eastern Division, which presently has fourteen Federations. It appears
that the Mid-Atlantic Division will become a reality with seven Federations and the sixth Federation Classic slot
will be created. The formation of the Mid-Atlantic Division is a win-win for all involved. There will be less travel
and less cost to send teams to divisionals. Hosting the Divisionals will be more manageable and less costly. Also,
there will be less Federation Championship contenders competing for the same Classic slot. We will also be sending
two additional CastingKids to the Federation Championship.
Remember to update your club with BASS before December 31, 2004. Federation benefits expire at year-end, including
the insurance. So be sure to update before year-end to avoid a lapse in these Federation benefits. Also, 2005 club
dues must be paid to the West Virginia BASS Federation no later than the March Federation meeting.
I wish everyone happy and healthy holidays of plenty. Thanks for a great 2004 and looking forward to an even better
"floodless" 2005. Until next time - good fishing and God bless.
-John |
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