Alexandria, LA, August 22, 2001 -
The Women's Bass Fishing Association (WBFA) continued its World Classic
Championship week on the Red River today by holding a "tournament within a
tournament." VIP's from across Louisiana paired with 28 professional
anglers here who are contending for the title of World Champion of women bass
anglers.
Winning the event were WBFA pro Judy
Wong and Charla Ducote. Ducote, representing Rapides Regional Medical Center in
Alexandria, learned several casting techniques from her Sugarland, Texas
partner. "We spent the first hour with casting lessons," said Ducote.
"Judy is a good teacher." The pair caught 3 qualifying fish that
weighed 4.91 pounds.
Finishing second was the team of VIP
Tonya Martin and pro angler Dianna Rogers of Bumpas Mills, Tennessee. Their
catch was 2.94 pounds.
Prize money of $1,000.00 each was
awarded the winning team at the weigh-in, held at the Amphitheater overlooking
the river in downtown Alexandria. The VIP winner donated her winnings to a
favorite charity in the Central Louisiana area.
Louisiana Lt. Governor Kathleen
Blanco spent the morning fishing with current World Champion Sylvia Graham of
Valpariso, Indiana. She didn't catch a keeper fish and the champion hung and
lost two nice bass. "We had a beautiful day," remarked the Lt.
Governor. "We have so many men's tournaments, it was nice to fish with
these ladies." Blanco, who is an outdoor enthusiast, reported seeing a
snake eat a fish during the outing.
Alexandria Mayor Edward Randolph
fished in the competition with pro Linda Redford of Blue Eye, Missouri. "He
is a good fisherman," said Redford. The mayor had two nice bass hooked, but
the fish shook the hooks before they could be landed. He praised the event and
invited the WBFA Tour to return to the area in the future.
The Classic World Championship is
being sponsored by the State of Louisiana, The Alexandria/Pineville Area
Convention And Visitors Bureau, The City of Alexandria, The City of Pineville,
Clear Channel Communications, Louisiana Lottery, Paragon Casino & Resort,
Century Tel, CLECO, Rapides Regional Medical Center, Christus St. Frances
Cabrini Hospital, Red River Waterway Commission, Hibernia Bank, State Farm,
Turpin Pontiac, Walker Oldsmobile, Willis Engineering, and Pan-American
Engineers.
National Sponsorship Partners of the
WBFA Tour include: Mercury Motors, Triton Boats by Earl Bentz, Gary Yamamoto
Custom Baits, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Snag Proof Lures, Minn Kota, DEKA
Marine Master Batteries, Humminbird Electronics, North American Sportswoman
Magazine, Reyes Del Mar Jewelers, Kick'n Bass Scents and Eidolon Bait Company
The WBFA championship round begins
Thursday and ends with the final weigh-in on Saturday at the Riverfront
Convention Center in Alexandria. Contenders will launch at safe light each
morning, beginning with Thursday's launch at the Lake Buhlow Boat Launch in
Pineville. Weigh-in on Thursday will be at the launch location. On both Friday
and Saturday, the early launch will be at the Buhlow site, with weigh-ins at the
Riverfront Convention Center. Each day's weigh-in will be at 3 p.m. A live
free-to-the-public concert will be presented at 1:45 p.m. Saturday by The
Dorados, a well known "fishing" group that will play several original
hits about fishing.
The public is urged to attend
all weigh-ins. Contact the WBFA through this website or telephone (205)
663-5243.
Top Women Anglers Dedicate One Day
to Disadvantaged Youngsters
Alexandria, LA, August 19, 2001 -
The highest scoring anglers in the Womens Bass Fishing Association (WBFA)
reported a day early for the Classic World Championship on the Red River at
Pineville/Alexandria, Louisiana. They trailered bass boats and gear from many
states across the nation on Saturday, so they could take youngsters fishing on
Sunday.
Twenty-four boys and girls, under
the care of Volunteers of America, each was guided on a fishing trip on the
beautiful Red River. A number of the youngsters had never caught a fish before,
and on this rainy day nearly every one caught catfish, bluegills and/or bass. At
least two youngsters brought in more than ten fish.
The WBFA cooperates with an
organization called Catch a Special Thrill, or C.A.S.T. Underprivileged children
are provided a rod and reel, tackle and an engraved trophy from C.A.S.T and the
sponsoring cooperator. The top women anglers eagerly guided the youngsters in
last year's 2000 Classic, and the 2001 contenders were just as enthusiastic.
Rain during the morning event made
it truly memorable for everyone. A downpour arrived just as the fishing got
underway and lasted all morning. Good rain gear aboard the pro's boats saved the
day for the kids. But a handful of the bassing ladies had the standard 2 rain
suits in their boats and found themselves with three folks aboard. In every
case, the guests were kept dry and the pros got wet - very wet. The
"wettest pro" competition was led by Lisa Sternard of Clarksville,
Tennessee, Shara Joyner of Dearing Georgia and Pam Martin from Bainbridge,
Georgia.
One first-grader was asked if he
caught any fish. He displayed his catch in the live-bag furnished each child and
replied, "Yeah, I got two. A boy and a girl." The youngsters were
allowed to take their catch for eating if they desired. Most fish brought in
were catfish.
Each child was brought before the
crowd and interviewed along with the professional angler who served as guide.
Willie Cook, CEO of the WBFA, conducted the interviews by holding an umbrella in
one hand and a microphone in the other. A pavilion shelter at the City Park
launching site protected the crowd from the rainstorm while they enjoyed a
picnic furnished by the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association, one of many local
sponsors contributing to WBFA's Classic week.
Practice fishing begins Monday,
August 20. On Tuesday evening, a banquet will be held honoring WBFA' Angler of
the Year, Rookie of the Year and Amateur of the Year. Wednesday will bring VIP's
from across Louisiana who will fish with the pros in a light-hearted
competition. Cash winnings by the VIP will be donated to a favorite charity.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday will see the contenders fishing for the title of
World Champion and winnings worth more than $25,000.00
The Saturday weigh-in is open
to the public, as are all WBFA weigh-ins, and is set to be held in Alexandria's
Riverfront Convention Center. The Doredos Band will perform for the crowd at
1:45 p.m. with weigh-in starting at 3 o'clock.
For more information about the Classic World Championship or how to join the WBFA, contact
WBFA Headquarters at (205) 663-5243 or visit their web site at http://www.wbfatour.com