Southwest Iowa Fishing Team doing their part to ensure Future of Fishing

  • Filed under News

  • October 7, 2022

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.

In Memory of John Morrow

  • Filed under News

  • May 23, 2022

“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”.

A Difference Maker (Meet Tate Thrasher)

  • Filed under News

  • August 7, 2020

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!

Lew’s Mach High School Grant Program enters Fourth Year 2020 Registration and Applications Open January 13th

  • Filed under News

  • January 20, 2020

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.

  1. Growing the sport of recreational fishing
  2. Showcasing high school fishing as a valued educational activity
  3. Elevating the visibility of youth fishing in the local community
  4. 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.