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TBF STATE FEDERATION SPOTLIGHT: NEW HAMPSHIRE
O
pportunities to grow and improve the quality
and value of a membership for The Bass
Federation members at the state level are nearly
endless, according to New Hampshire Bass Federation
(TBFNH) President Joshua Ledbetter and Treasurer
Killian Kilroy. That’s been their focus of late, as TBFNH
advances into year three of an enhancement plan that
began with a fundamental goal of focusing on member-
ship to drive camaraderie and participation. The project
began with a query of members.
“The New Hampshire eBoard worked diligently to
ensure all the membership voices were heard,” says
Ledbetter. “Then it was simply a matter of exhibiting
those wishes in the actions that we take.”
The state’s calendar now is packed full of great
events, upgrades and fun. Here’s a rundown of some
recent and upcoming projects.
2019 Banquet
The chapter marked the end of the 2018 season and
the start of the 2019 campaign in February with its sec-
ond-annual TBFNH banquet. The event sold out, and
participation doubled from the first event once word
spread of the great food, fishing stories, prizes and
awards. The banquet also provided an opportunity to
recognize TBFNH members with special awards and top
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anglers with plaques and trophies. Some sponsors set
up displays, conducted giveaways and offered discounts
for purchases made at the event.
“Winter Classic”
Kilroy says that, during long New Hampshire winters,
he and other members grew tired of having to sit inside
and simply watch other anglers compete on television,
imagining they were somewhere warmer fishing them-
selves. They decided to do something about it in 2018
with the inaugural TBFNH “Winter Classic” state tourna-
ment on Lake Okeechobee. It took nearly 24 hours for
most New Hampshire club members to drive to the Big
O, but that wasn’t enough to keep them away. Sixteen
anglers were brave enough to make that trip to the inau-
gural event, however, registration for the 2019 “Winter
Classic” on Lake Chickamauga in April has already dou-
bled last year’s numbers.
Chickamauga is on fire right now, and contestants
have high hopes of landing a giant while the lakes in
New England are still covered in ice. Regardless of the
outcome on the water, the friendships and experience
will last forever.
“The hardest part of these events is the drive home,
knowing that the flip-flops have to go back into stor-
age,” Kilroy adds.
FLWFISHING.COM I SPRING 2019