Jr Anglers fishing with the Classic Pros...

Pell City, Alabama was this year’s site for the B.A.S.S. Jr. World Championship on Logan Martin Lake.
Representing the New Hampshire BASS Federation Nation was, ironically, two youth anglers from Massachusetts. Travis Foster of Westford, MA and Benjamin Bowen of Tyngsboro, MA, along with their families, flew to Birmingham to compete in a world-class bass fishing tournament February 17th and 18th.
Ben, in the 11-14 age group and Travis, in the 15-18 age group went to compete for a fully rigged Triton/Mercury bass boat along with $27,000 in scholarship monies and prizes. The field of 88 youth anglers from all over the country as well as Canada and South Africa teamed up with Pros from the Bassmaster Classic for this chance of a lifetime event.
Ben was paired with Pro angler Kelly Jordan of Mineola, Texas while Travis shared the Bassmaster Classic Triton/Mercury boat with Madisonville, Texas Pro Matt Reed.
To get here Ben and Travis qualified through a state-qualifying tournament held on Wicwas Lake in Meredith, NH back in September. They are both members of the NH Jr Bassmasters and are sponsored by the adult club Sail’em Bass also of the New Hampshire BASS Federation Nation.
Day 1 of the tournament was strictly a practice day where the two youth anglers and their pros went out to find fish and work out the bugs for the big event. Cold temperatures and winds made for a rough day on the water.
Day 2 was for keeps and again the weather was not going to cooperate. Morning lows were close to 22 degrees with a high of almost 40 degrees later in the afternoon. Adrenalin and excitement kept the boys relatively warm but the fish were not as enthusiastic with the chilly temperatures.
Fishing was tough and Travis was unable to boat a legal sized fish to bring back to the 1:00 weigh-in.
Ben faired better and managed to catch a 1lb 12oz bass to put him in first place for the Eastern Division and in 27th place overall. Although the top prizes were not in the cards for these two outstanding anglers, they both agreed that this was as good as it gets. Nowhere in professional sports can youth take part in a side-by-side competition with their heroes of that sport. This was truly a unique opportunity, one that both boys will look back on through out their lives with the fondest of memories.