2008 NEW JERSEY

Lake Hopatcong

YOUTH INVITATIONAL

Parents and onlookers crowded the weigh in stage awaiting the youth anglers who met the emcee Richard Favire to discuss how the day went while the staff handled their fish.  

The day started out with the National Anthem sung by Leanne Rhymes on a beautiful sunny morning. Through out the fishing day, a Sun Tracker was available for the parents and guests to cruise the lake and observe the anglers during the competition day. An in depth story will follow as soon as it is received.

Overall winner from Maryland displaying some of his catch

Overall winner with newly appointed Youth Director Antonio "Go Go" Gomez (left) and Skip Lerman his boat captain (right) accepting plaques for 1st Place and Lunker.

Many Thanks to the Bryan Kerchal Memorial Fund for making the event a success.

For Bryan:

“Bryan Kerchal had a passion for fishing that brought him both joy and peace. It was not just a sport or a hobby to him, fishing was a way of life. He dreamed of becoming a professional bass angler. On July 30, 1994 Bryan realized his dream. At age 23 he was the first amateur to win the BASS Masters Classic. This success launched his career in professional tournament fishing. Sadly, Bryan's career was cut short when he died in a plane crash four months later.

The Junior Bassmasters Invitational Tournament Series (which was initiated in Maryland in 1996 and for which the Fund was the financial sponsor) was open to any state that could provide a team made up of members from its own Junior Federation bass clubs. The Invitational has been held annually from 1996 through 2003. We believe that these events promoted the formation of junior bass clubs and consequently supported the expansion of the Federation youth program. In 2004, ESPN/BASS agreed to take over the Junior Bassmasters Invitational program and the Junior Bassmasters National Championship tournament, previously sponsored by the Fund. The Invitational became Divisional tournaments along the same structure as the adult BASS Federation Nation program and the National Championship tournament became the Junior Bassmaster World Championship tournament. This development should provide greater exposure and awareness of the importance of youth fishing programs.”

Donations to keep the opportunity for kids to fish are graciously accepted by visiting

http://www.bryankerchalfund.org/ 

“For the Kid’s”

2007 Mid-Atlantic Results sponsored by Virginia Federation Nation

Youth Championship Results     Photos

An Excellent Event! "Night with Ike" Photos    

YD@federationnationofnj.org Antonio "Go Go" Gomez

VP@federationnationofnj.org Richard Favire