This summer the Indiana Bass Federation will be sponsoring the first "Youth Bass State Finals Tournament". It will be held on August 17, 2002 at Monroe Reservoir.

This tournament will be open to all youths within the state of Indiana that are age 17 and under. It will also be open to youths that reside outside of Indiana, but are members of an Indiana Jr. Bass Chapter.

From this tournament, six youths will be invited to make up the 2003 Indiana Jr. Bass State Team and go on to represent the I.B.C.F. at the 2003 Jr. Invitational National finals. Requirements for the Jr. State Team are that you finish in the top six anglers that are members in good standing of an Indiana Jr. Bass Chapter, and meet the age requirement of 11-17 years old at the time of the Jr. Invitational National finals. The team will be comprised of youths ages 11-17, but with no more than two of the team members being the ages of 16-17.

A 2002 Indiana Jr. Bass State Team will be fishing the nationals this summer on the Nanticoke River in Laurel, Delaware. The Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Fund sponsors the national tournament. This team was formed of youths that met all of the requirements, from an Indiana Jr. Bass club, Bass Kids of Indiana. The Central Indiana Bass Anglers of Moorseville, IN sponsor this Jr. club. The six qualifying members are Autumn McCue of Greenwood, IN, Mark Gibbs of Avon, IN, Aaron Bennington of Avon, IN, Austin Brown of Danville, IN, Bryon Bennington of Avon, IN and Ryan Shepard of Avon, IN. We want to wish them the best of luck as they represent the youth of Indiana and the Indiana Bass Federation.

Watch for more information this upcoming Spring. Also stop by the Indiana Bass Federation booth at the Boat, Sport, & Travel show this February and learn more about how you can participate.

Any I.B.C.F. Sponsor and/or club wanting to assist with the 2002 Youth State Finals and/or the 2002 Indiana Jr. State Team can contact:

Indiana Bass Chapter Federation
Ken Gibbs, Zone 2 Director
1592 N. 600 E.
Avon, IN 46123
Phone: (317) 745-7404

One of the purposes of Bass when it was formed was to promote and encourage youth fishing. It is strongly recommended that each Bass Chapter develop a youth program as part of its regular activities.

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society sponsors a Junior Bassmaster Chapter Program, in conjunction with its chapter program, through which youngsters can develop an interest and love for fishing.

They must be taught how to fish and which conservation measures will ensure fishing for future generations. Organizing a Junior Bassmaster Chapter can be one of the most rewarding projects your club will undertake.

Requirements for a Junior Bassmaster Chapter are easy:

• Affiliation: To affiliate with the Bass National Federation you must submit the Jr. Bassmaster Chapter application, bylaws and letter of authorization. These forms are in the Jr. Bassmaster Chapter packet, which you can obtain from Bass National Federation.
• Age: Any youngster 17 years of age or younger is eligible. But, they must not be nor has been a member of an adult chapter. At age 16 they are eligible to become regular members of an adult chapter, but can not be members of both.
• Dues: National membership dues are $5.00 per year, per member, which entitles each member to a Jr. Bassmaster patch, decal, a lure packet, the current issue of Bass Times and an official Bass Federation Jr. Member card. No State dues are required.
• Sponsor: It is required that every Jr. Chapter be sponsored by an adult Bass Chapter.
• Officers: Each Jr. Chapter should elect a president, vise president, secretary, and treasurer.
• Chapter Updates: The Jr. Chapter must send a roster update to Bass National Federation each year along with the member's federation dues.

You can contact Bass National Federation for Jr. packet info at (334) 272-9530 or for assistance, contact:

Ken Gibbs
Zone 2 Director
(317) 745-7404.