Here is what I will be doing next week…

I will be fishing the MN Federation TOC next week, but it sounds like there is internet access at the resort, so I hope to update on practice and patterns as they develop.

Minneapolis – August 28, 2006 – Minnesota’s best amateur bass anglers set to tackle Gull Lake for the Minnesota Bass Federation Nation Tournament of Champions.

On Saturday, September 2^nd, approximately 200 anglers will arrive in the Brainerd & Nisswa area to practice and prepare for the event. Events culminate with a two day tournament on September 7^th & 8^th. Weigh-ins for the event will be hosted by Ernie’s on Gull starting at 3:00PM Thursday and Friday.

These 200 anglers have qualified from their local clubs from all over the state. There is a total of 41 clubs sending teams and representatives to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). The tournament is hosted and supported by the local area Baxter Bass Club. In addition to the TOC, there is also an alternate’s tournament on Lake Alexander near Cushing, MN to be held on September 7^th, the weigh-in will be 3:00PM held out of Blue Port Restaurant on the shores of Lake Alexander.

Wednesday night is the banquet and pairings meeting which concludes with a raffle with all proceeds supporting a local charity. This year’s charity is Wilderness Inquiry, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. We believe there is nothing like being there to fully appreciate the environment and the people we share it with.

Anglers come from all over the state for many reasons; foremost is the camaraderie of fellow anglers and secondly to qualify for the 2007 Bass Federation Northern Divisional. The top 12 anglers from the TOC will advance next year to fish against 7 other State Teams from Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, & Ohio on Lake Erie at Sandusky, OH in September, 2007. At stake there is a chance to fish in the Bass Federation Nation National Championship and one step closer to a Bassmasters Classic Berth.

Fish care is an important part of protecting our resource, so for the second consecutive year, the TOC will be utilizing an in-water weigh-in system that reduces stress on the fish, which is important as the goal is to return all the fish back to Gull Lake in good condition to be caught again for everyone.

”The great thing about the Minnesota Federation Nation State Championship is that we get a chance to give back to the community. Our sponsors have really stepped up big for our raffle and Wilderness Inquiry,” says Tournament Director Dale Richardson. “We really appreciate the support we get from Minn-kota, MG Lures, and Mojo Rods.” If you are interested in seeing Minnesota’s best anglers, Ernie’s on Gull Lake is the place to be September 8^th & 9th.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release visit www.mnbf.org

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend All!
Rich
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