After Months of waiting to get this fishing season started, after many emails, a few meetings, hours on the computer getting fees paid, insurance for each of the 4 tournaments, setting up dates for tournaments, the season has finally begun and it began with a bang.
The Northern Colorado Junior Bass Club started their tournament season with a small and friendly competition against the CSU Fishing Team. Which the juniors dominated, The top four juniors brought in an impressive 852 points and 53.25 lbs, The CSU fishing team of 4, who was at a slight disadvantage because they couldn’t use boats ended their day with 521 points and 32.5 for weight. Keane Valez of CSU commented after the tournament “Wow these kids can fish, We got our butts handed to us today, but we had a lot of fun!”
The first tournament of the year was a walk around tournament held at the famous Swift Ponds in Ft Collins, Colorado. The junior club was ready for the big event and they came out in a big way. So big in fact I actually started another division for our 10 and under juniors because there were so many kids, we allow kids as young as 7 to fish with us but BASS only recognizes 11-18 y/o. We had a total of 13 juniors in the 15-18 y/o division, 13 juniors in the 11-14 y/o division and 4 juniors in the 10 and under. The leaders of these divisions were Jordan Neal of Ft Collins who had 248 points and a weight of 15.3 lbs and was anchored by an 18 inch 3.25 lb largemouth for Big bass of the day. In the 11-14 y/o division was Bryson Fogg of Pierce, CO with 182 points and 11.3 lbs, big bass went to Roger Jackson of Ft Collins with a 17.5 inch Largemouth. The 10 and under group was lead by Hannah Vogel who had 127 points and a total weight of 7.9 lbs, and was anchored by a 17.5 inch 3lb Largemouth and just missed big fish of the tournament.
I started the club 5 years ago with the help of my adult club the Centennial Bass Club and 3 of my own kids who each recruited a friend so we could have the minimum number of 6 that BASS requires to get started. The club has come a long way in a few short years and grown from 6 to now over 30. I have seen so many kids come into this club in the past few years and it is pretty neat to see them grow up. I hope I get to see them in the pros one day! I have no idea how many kids I have taught the art of fishing and the importance of conservation but it has been a lot, and a whole bunch of fun. It is awesome to see so many kids fishing and having fun.
The Northern Colorado Junior Bass Club will have their next event in Greeley, Co at the new Poudre ponds on 35th Ave, on May 26th.
Upcoming events:
Larimer County will be putting on the Annual Kids/Mentor team tournament at Horsetooth Res in Ft Collins on May 5th. Only one adult, one kid, and one boat with live wells per team.
The Colorado TBF and FLW will be having the High School State Team Championships on May 19th at Pueblo Reservoir. You can sign up at http://www.highschoolfishing.org/ soon. Only High School kids with a School ID are allowed to compete.
If you have questions feel free to email me.
Frank Villa
