Youth Director Report

O.B.F. Board meeting

Ashland County Bassmasters Banquet

After dining on chickens colored blue, I made a presentation to the Ashland County club at their banquet on March 24, 2007. Kim Vogel, the club’s youth director, invited me to attend their banquet in order to answer questions about forming and running a Jr. Angler club.

Take Me Fishing in Columbus        

Lori Schaeffer of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Dept. asked me to participate in their annual Take Me Fishing Day at Griggs Reservoir on June 2, 2007. I have another youth event that day so I asked Greg Merkel to represent the OBF. He and his daughter Caitlyn will be instructing children in one of the four to five topics in the Pathways to Fishing seminar. Last year’s event had a great turnout despite a drizzling rain that fell the entire time. This program is an excellent way for us to promote youth fishing and present a positive image for the Federation.

New Jr. Club

A new Jr. Angler club has formed near Buckeye Lake. The Buckeye Lake Lunkers will be sponsored by the Columbus Bassmasters with an assist by the Perry County Anglers. The Jr. club’s driving force is 16 year old Nathan Blaskis. His mother Harriette will serve as their adviser. Will Presley of the CBM called me and volunteered his club to serve as the Chapter sponsor. Since it is late to organize a tournament schedule for Nate’s club, we have planned to have one boat event for the kids on a weeknight later this spring at Buckeye Lake. The rest of their tournaments will be bank events. I sincerely appreciate Will, Ralph, and his club members for stepping up to the challenge of sponsoring this new Jr. club. Their club has 8 members, all 14-16 years old. I also want to thank Pat Walker for offering to assist in this effort if no other club stepped forward. We have two to three other new clubs in various stages of forming at this time but Nate’s club is the only one to send me a roster.

2007 Jr. Angler Clubs formed for 2007

                                                            Members

Allen County Jr. Bassmasters________ 13

Buckeye Lake Lunkers______________  8

Cincinnati Jr. Bass Anglers__________ 13

Fayette Co. Jr. Bassmasters*_________

Gallipolis Jr. Bass Busters___________   8

Jackson County Jrs. *_______________

North West Ohio Jr Bassmasters_____  19

Perry Co. Jr. Renegades_____________16

River Valley Jr. Bass Club___________ 12

S.S. Minnows Jr. Bass Club_________   16

Team Extreme Jrs.________________     8

USA Junior Fishing Team__________    31

Walnut Springs Fishing Club_______    51

     194 Jr. Members, 04-02-07

*Jr. clubs formed but still working on 2007  rosters. Over 200 members are expected when all rosters are submitted. In 2006 we had 13 clubs and 200 members.

Hook Lake

The Perry County Jr. Renegades will be having a rematch with the champions of the Hook Lake Shootout, the S.S. Minnows. The event is scheduled for Thursday May 17 at 4:30 p.m.. Hook Lake is located in the AEP ReCreation Lands somewhere off the compass near McConnelsville, Ohio. Invited guests include Jr. Champion Winston Wade of the Gallipolis Jr. Bass Busters, Caitlyn Merkel 2005 Jr. World Championship contender, and Marcia Ruben WBT professional angler. All OBF board members are invited to attend.