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, …
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 …
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 …
“In memory of John Morrow”, this is a phrase I have seen and heard many times since the first part of March. The Future Fisherman Foundation has received several donations in memory of John, so I was curious about who John was. I did not know John personally, but it seems like he made quite an impression on everyone he met, so I reached out to one of the donors and this is what they had to say about John Morrow.
He was not in the fishing industry, but he was an avid fisherman. He never met a stranger, so everywhere he went he made fast and lasting friendships. He lived in several different states and worked for large businesses. He kept in touch with many of his co-workers as they moved to different states. His obituary states, he was a friend to many and a stranger to none. He always gave more than he had to give and even more than that. He always wanted to see a smile on absolutely everyone’s face.
Thank you to all who have donated “In memory of John Morrow”.
At a time in this country when life is full of uncertainty, one thing that you can count on is that Tate Thrasher is going to be busy! The soon to be Sophomore at Columbia High School near Houston, Texas not only excels in football, basketball and baseball but he also finds time to run a fishing camp for youngsters in his community.
“I fish competitively in the Texas High School Bass Fishing Association and several youngsters in my community came to my house and asked me to show them how to tie on hooks and put baits on” stated Thrasher. “That started the whole idea of starting a fishing camp for young anglers and it has blossomed from there. We usually meet once a week and that eventually grew into us running a tournament for them” added the energetic leader.
The group averages around 13 campers per session and Tate is assisted by both his parents who help run the seminars. “We set up stations where I take a portion of the group and work on knot tying and my dad will then show them how to apply the bait. Each week we try to show them something new. We then usually give them 30 minutes of fishing time.”
Fortunately for Tate and his young campers they live in the perfect community that includes a now defunct Golf Course that has several ponds that the anglers can utilize for their events. “I want to make sure I praise the efforts of Mr. Murray Underwood, added Tate. He owns the property all of those ponds are located on and he gave us permission to fish there. We couldn’t begin to do this without his help.”
The group recently held its first community tournament that drew 25 anglers in the 5 to 11-year old age group and another 23 anglers in the 11 to 18 age category. The event was highlighted by one of the younger anglers catching his first bass and three others to win the event!
“Seeing the progress each angler is making and the smiles on their faces makes this all worth it” added Tate. I can see this starting to grow already and I’m excited to see where it may lead”.
“What a terrific effort by a terrific young man” commented Lew’s/Strike King Field Activation Team member Mark Gintert. “Just look at the impact this one young man has had on the students in his community and what a positive role model he is for them” added Gintert. “I can’t begin to tell you how proud we are to support his efforts!”
When the High School fishing season gets started up again next year, Tate Thrasher will already be a winner in the eyes of the Lew’s/Strike King team – even if he never catches another fish. He is a “difference maker” in the fishing world!
Springfield Mo. – January, 6, 2020 – The very popular Lew’s High School
Grant Program will once again be taking applications for the 2020 grant season
starting on Monday January 13th. For the fourth year the Lew’s corporation will
strive to put quality rods and reels in the hands of high school aged anglers
across the country through their ever-popular High School Grant Program. The
intent of this program is to foster and motivate the growth of the sport
through these four key objectives.
Growing the sport of recreational
fishing
Showcasing high school fishing as a
valued educational activity
Elevating the visibility of youth
fishing in the local community
Instilling conservation awareness
through best practices
There are three levels of grant awards that are based on
the size of the club, club activity, and a willingness to promote the sport as
well as conservation and the Keep America Fishing initiative.
This program has skyrocketed in popularity with last year’s
grant cycle awarding 140 grants to schools in 25 different states. It provides
a great way for schools to put quality rods and reels in the hands of young
anglers. The High School Grant Program is administered for Lew’s by the Future
Fisherman Foundation, a 501(C)3 non-profit whose mission is to “Ensure the
Future of Fishing.”
David May,
Executive Vice President of Marketing, spoke of the importance of the program
for the brands. “Youth and high school fishing have always been very important
to us at Lew’s. In 2020 we are excited to once again be able to offer our Mach
High School Fishing Grant to high school fishing teams across the country,” he
said. “2019 was our biggest year yet
with the addition of the Freshman Scholarship Program and this year promises to
be even better for us and the teams.”
Interested
applicants can apply at either the Lews.com website by clicking on the Grant
Program banner or the futurefisherman.org site where they can find the Lew’s
Grant Program link highlighted in red on the right-hand side of the home page.
About
Strike King Strike King is a
Collierville, TN based supplier of fishing tackle and sunglasses. The Company
supplies hard baits, wire baits, soft plastics and related accessories through
the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further
information about Strike King, please visit www.strikeking.com.
About Lew’s
Lew’s Fishing is a Springfield, MO based supplier of fishing equipment
and tackle. The Company supplies branded fishing reels, rods, and related
accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor
channels. For further information about Lew’s, please visit www.lews.com.
Hall of Fame Angler and Classic champion David Fritts
highlights this year’s list of fishing trips
Ponca City, Okla., (11/18/19)
The Future Fisherman Foundation (501C3 Foundation) will host its 10th annual
on-line eBay auction starting December 1st and running through the 7th.
This year’s event highlights Lew’s Pro David Fritts, who is a past Bassmaster
Classic champion and was recently inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
David is known as the “Crankbait King” and spending the day in the boat with
him will not only be educational, it will be just plain entertaining as he has
a great sense of humor.
Shoppers also have an opportunity to bid on a variety of guided fishing trips, as well as a great selection of tackle packages and merchandise.
Interested in a new fishing reel? There are great selections from Fin-Nor, Lew’s and Eagle Claw. Need a shallow water anchoring device? The folks at Power Pole have sent us a very nice Micro Pole that is perfect for small boats and kayaks. How about a new locator? We have units from both Lowrance and Humminbird to fill your shopping list! need a top quality Fishing Rod, we have them from TBF Federation Angler Custom rods.
Proceeds from the annual event support F3 programs like
Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs, SuperFish and the Tackle for Educators
programs.
“We have once again put together a terrific assortment of
fishing trips and merchandise items for this year’s auction” said F3 Executive
Director Mark Gintert. “Cyber Monday will fall right in line with this year’s
event, so if you are looking for a Christmas gift for that outdoorsperson in
your life, you need to look no farther than futurefisherman.org where all the
items will be listed and ready for bidding.”
Once again, A huge THANK YOU goes out to all of our donors
this year; we couldn’t do it without them!
The auction goes live at 8am EST on Sunday December 1st. It
will run for seven days and bidding closes December 7th, at 8am EST. (Check
Auction Listing for potential variations in time and date)
Interested bidders should go to www.futurefisherman.org and click on
the auction tab and then click on the eBay link to view the trips and
merchandise and place your winning bids!
Help us “Ensure the Future of Fishing” by supporting this
terrific event!
About the
Future Fisherman Foundation
Established in 1986, the
Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) unites the sportfishing industry and a
nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups,
youth organizations and other educators dedicated to introducing America’s
youth to angling, conservation and the outdoors lifestyle. The Future Fisherman
Foundation (F3) operates under The Bass Federation (TBF) umbrella of companies
and is the official non-profit education arm of TBF. For more info visit
futurefisherman.org.
