Sparrow proudly points out that despite the brackishwater destination being a new concept for many of the Alabama members, the state’ s contingent held its own in the event.
“ Our anglers overcame the Mississippi boys on the delta, and we retained the State Pride Award for another year,” he says.
Youth Initiatives
Alabama also maintains an ambitious, two-pronged tournament program geared toward budding bass fans.
“ We run TBF Junior and High School Fishing trails, with advancement to the Junior World Championship, High School Fishing National Championship and High School Fishing World Finals,” he says.
Junior and High School Fishing events are held simultaneously on one lake.
“ The combined format makes it a lot easier for our volunteers because we don’ t have to run so many events, and the youths get to pick which tournament they want to fish, provided they are eligible for that particular event,” Sparrow explains.
To further boost youth participation, Alabama recently launched a regional tournament approach, splitting the state in half with southern and northern trails. Each has three qualifiers, and everyone will come together for a mid-state championship in April.
“ The goal was cutting travel to make it more convenient for young anglers to fish,” Sparrow explains.“ We’ re already
seeing a big rise in registrations to our early events in the south, and an overall 40 percent increase in high school clubs in direct response to the new system.”
Conservation, Charity
Along with tournament programs, ABF is active in conservation and charitable pursuits.
“ On the conservation side, we’ re involved in re-licensing the R. L. Harris Hydroelectric Project on the Tallapoosa River,” Sparrow notes.
The project affects the dam, spillway and powerhouse that impound 9,870-acre Harris Lake, along with important fish and wildlife habitat upstream.
“ Our representatives are on the committee and work groups studying the re-licensing process, making sure everything is on the up and up to protect the lake, the fishery, wildlife refuges and local communities,” he explains.
ABF members also assist with a number of charity events each year, such as fundraisers for schools.
“ We also partner with Airport Marine in Alabaster to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama,” Sparrow says.“ Each season, TBF members registering for our tournament trail have a one-time opportunity to donate $ 100 to the charity. Those who do are entered in a program that rewards the top-finishing angler in the program with a $ 250 bonus at each qualifier and $ 500 at the state championship. It’ s a win-win for everyone involved, and raises an average of $ 1,800 to $ 2,000 a year for Ronald McDonald House.” n
Fish Like a Pro.
Pledge to
PITCH IT.
Protect our lakes and rivers by recycling your worn-out soft-plastic baits at every FLW tournament. Just look for the FLW
Foundation, Keep America Fishing Pitch It recycling container. It’ s a simple action with a big impact.
Visit pledgetopitchit. org & FLWFishing. com / foundation
JANUARY 2018 I FLWFISHING. COM 85