Backyard Bass makes learning to cast fun. Endorsed by the Future Fisherman Foundation, Backyard Bass are plastic casting targets shaped like fish that are used to teach casting techniques and improve casting accuracy. To use, simply place the Backyard Bass on the ground or float them in a pond and start casting. Snag one of the fish with your casting plug and reel it in — just like real fishing! See Backyard Bass in action. For mor information please visit the Backyard Bass website

I recently got to meet Tate Thrasher at a high school event in Texas. He was competing in the Texas SAF State championship on Lake Conroe with his fishing partner Hayden Newland. Tate has been putting on fishing camps and youth fishing tournaments since his Freshman year when Covid started. He is now in his Senior year at Columbia High School and still having camps and tournaments for the neighborhood kids. He has hosted close to fifty camps and around ten tournaments. Tate said he still gets excited when he sees the kids in the neighborhood riding their bikes with their fishing poles headed to one of the ponds. His parents are both educators and they have helped him put together these camps and tournaments with the goal of getting kids excited about fishing. We want to wish best of luck to Tate as he graduates high school this year and heads off to college.

The Future Fisherman Foundation wants to recognize the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team for their efforts and hard work.  These student anglers spent a lot of time building these structures to create fish habitat in area lakes. Once the structures were complete, they were placed at Willow Lake Recreation Area and at Schaben Park by staff from the Iowa DNR Fisheries and Harrison County Conservation Board. Scott Nelson, Harrison County Conservation Board said, “Not only will this benefit the fisheries in these two lakes, but it was also a great teaching moment when a host of summer school children/adults witnessed what we were doing.”

The Southwest Iowa Fishing team is led by the TBF Youth Director Bob Harris. Bob spends countless hours working with the Youth in Iowa teaching the students that there is more to the sport of fishing other than simply catching fish. Bob is fully dedicated to getting the students involved in conservation projects like this one. Not only do projects like these enhance the natural resources as safe habitat for all species of fish native to these lakes but as anglers it helps us to know that the efforts that has been put forth will enhance the fisheries for years to come.

So, to all of the students in the SWIFT fishing club, Bob Harris, The Iowa DNR Fisheries and Harrison County Conservation Board a huge thanks from the Future Fisherman Foundation for your efforts in helping protect and improve the future of our great outdoors.