FLW FOUNDATION
UPDATE
SUBSCRIBING
Summer Camp Success
HAS NEVER
BEEN EASIER
“Summer camps are cool.”
That’s what FLW President of Marketing Trisha Blake wrote back in May when
previewing the Costa FLW High School Fishing Camp in this column, and boy was
she right. It was quite possibly the coolest thing to happen in our sport in the last
10 years.
Thanks to Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops and a host of other FLW sponsors,
125 high school anglers – most of them aspiring bass pros – from 23 states and as
far away as California participated in the inaugural FLW High School Fishing Camp
at Murray State University and Kentucky Lake July 18-20. They were joined by 50
parents and coaches, 19 FLW Tour pros, and a colletion of FLW staff and industry
executives eager to help.
Students learned about bass fishing techniques, electronics, boat maintenance
and tournament strategies, but also how to market themselves to sponsors and
pursue careers in the fishing industry. To the surprise of many, one of the most
popular seminars, hosted by pros Andy Morgan and Jeff Sprague, focused on
angler etiquette and respect on the water. How cool is that? Etiquette and respect
taking top honors. Other activities that earned a coveted “cool” ranking included a
poolside lure-tuning demo with Scott Martin and Tom Redington, and a meal
shared with Forrest L. Wood.
While high schoolers attended seminars, parents and coaches participated in
panel discussions geared toward helping their students and teams achieve success
on and off the water. It was an incredible networking opportunity shared with FLW
staff and industry executives.
Many students and parents opted to test their newfound skills in the FLW
Foundation #MarshallStrong tournament benefiting victims of the Jan. 23, 2018
shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky. The tournament, held July
21 on Kentucky Lake, raised more than $13,000. Congratulations to the father-son
team of Randy and Parker Maples of Amory, Miss., for winning the boat division
with a five-bass limit worth 22 pounds, 10 ounces. The father-daughter team of
Wayne and Alexis Joyce of Clarksville, Tenn., finished second with a 21-pound, 2-
ounce limit. The tournament’s kayak division was won by none other than Eric
Jackson, the founder of Jackson Kayak. Jackson tallied a 45-inch limit of small-
mouths, but rather than accept the kayak he donated for the winner of the division,
he gave it to high school angler Nathan Reeves of Cypress, Texas, who finished as
runner-up with two bass totaling 29 1/2 inches.
By the time camp and the FLW Foundation tournament ended, it was clear that
we had tapped into something special. In the coming months we will announce the
date and location for the second-annual Costa FLW High School Fishing Camp, and
we promise to make it even bigger and better than the first.
The level of interest and skill demonstrated by the students who attended our
inaugural camp suggests that the next generation of anglers will mature quickly
into successful members of the fishing industry, which spells good things for the
future of our sport.
Now it’s even easier to
sign up and receive a
full year’s subscription
(4 issues) to
FLW Bass Fishing.
Join the country’s
most successful and
avid anglers who
enjoy all that
FLW Bass Fishing
has to offer.
For quickest delivery, visit
shop.flwfishing.com
or call 270.252.1000
Sincerely,
6
Kathy Fennel
President, FLW Operations Division
Please allow 4-8 weeks for delivery of first issue.
FLWFISHING.COM I FALL 2018