Bass Fishing Feb - Mar 2020 | Page 79

will continue to partner on the growth of the nation’s original and largest High School Fishing pro- gram, which was founded in 2007. Currently, the SAF insures and sanctions thousands of high school clubs and dozens of high school trails that serve more than 35,000 participants annually. Participation in FLW and TBF High School Fishing tournaments is free to all SAF members, as SAF member- ship includes both TBF and FLW membership. For more information about FLW membership or TBF, visit bassfederation.com/members/ or FLWFishing.com. 2019 TBF National Champion Preston Craig RECRUITMENT 101: HAVE FUN The Arizona Bass Federation is growing thanks to free fishing derby and open house T he Arizona Bass Federation came up with a unique way to recruit more members to its program with a free open house and fishing derby at Bartlett Lake on Sunday, Jan. 5. “Anglers want to go fishing and have fun. That’s what I want when I go fishing,” says state president Loway Shammas. “So this event was all about fun and reaching out to the angling community in Arizona to actually show them what the Arizona Federation was all about and have fun doing it. There are a lot of newer anglers, and some of the ones who have been around awhile out there have lost touch with the Federation or do not know what we can offer today. So, we wanted everyone to come and bring a friend, their wife and their kids and spend a day in the outdoors with us, so we could show them who we are and what the Federation has to offer.” The event was a suc- cess, with nearly 60 boats showing up to participate and plenty of prizes given out. Anyone who signed up as a new member received a ticket into the end-of-season raffle for a new depth finder, and anyone who referred a friend who became a TBF member earned a raffle ticket. Custom Federation Angler spinning and casting rods, gift cards, a selection of soft and hard baits, shirts, polarized sun- glasses and more were given away at the event. The weigh-in was held at lunchtime, where partici- pants enjoyed hot dogs with all the sides. In all, it was a great way to recruit new members to the Federation and to grow the Arizona chapter. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2020 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FLWFISHING.COM 77