The Lady Bass Anglers (LBAA) Lake Dardanelle 2010 Kickoff Tournament is now in the rear view mirror, and there is only a straight, smooth highway and great things ahead for the LBAA!
As the LBAA heads from Russellville, Arkansas and Lake Dardanelle into 2011 and its first full year of tournaments – it is a time of reflection, optimism, and excitement.
“I took a step back and looked at all that took place during the Lake Dardanelle tournament,” LBAA co-founder Cheryl Bowden said. “The most obvious thing I saw was a shift in the emotions of the ladies who participated. It shifted from cautious optimism that we could get our own tour up and running, to ladies filled with excitement and a belief that it is really real and going somewhere!”
“I thought the tournament (Dardanelle) was done extremely well from the pre-tournament meetings to the weigh-ins,” stated veteran angler Cheryl LaLumandier. “I liked how we were treated very professionally. I also like that they allow us to have a FOCAS (Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society) meeting for those of us who travel on the tour.”
To say the least – the baby steps of the LBAA — the LBAA Lake Dardanelle 2010 Kickoff Tournament — was a huge success!
“Russellville was very excited to be the host of the 2010 Lady Bass Anglers tournament, they brought a great wave of excitement for all of the women anglers as well as made a great economic impact into our community,” stated Christie Graham, Executive Director of the Russellville Tourism and Visitors Center. “We look forward to having them back in the near future.”
Even the mayor of Russellville got in on the LBAA and its anglers appearing in the Russellville area. “I truly enjoyed the time I got to spend with the ladies from the Lady Bass Anglers Association. These women are a very talented group of “fisherwomen” and a great deal of fun to be with. I hope that they enjoyed the hospitality of the citizens of Russellville and we look forward to seeing all these ladies again next year,” the honorable Tyrone Williamson commented.
One of the main beneficiaries of the LBAA appearance in Russellville was The Main Street Mission. The Mission’s Public Relations Director of The Main Street Mission, Pam Duvall spoke about the generosity of the LBAA and those who made the Saturday Charity Tournament happen.
“On behalf of everyone at The Main Street Mission, I would like to thank the LBAA for hosting the charity fishing tournament and making our organization the recipient of the very generous proceeds,” Duvall stated.
“I, personally, had never before been involved in a bass tournament, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the weigh-in process and getting to be a part of the results and awards portion. I was most impressed with the care that the fish were given during the entire process and relieved to know that they were returned immediately back to the lake. The entire event seemed to run flawlessly and each person I met within the LBAA was very courteous and friendly. I certainly have a better understanding of how a bass tournament works, and I look forward to the possibility of The Main Street Mission teaming up with the LBAA again in the future,” Duvall added.
“In today’s society, there seems to be more taking than giving,” LBAA co-founder Bowden quickly added. “We, of the Lady Bass Anglers Association, want to be known as an organization that gives back more than it takes in every community we enter. The nearly $2,000 raised for the Main Street Mission during our charity event is an immediate measurable proof of our efforts to give back to the community.”
The scenic route of the 2011 LBAA Tournament schedule makes its first stop in Texas in March with the LBAA Sam Rayburn Tournament March 17-18, 2011 at Sam Rayburn Marine South (formerly Twin Dykes), and the LBAA Rainbow Room Charity Team Tournament on Saturday, March 19, 2011.
From there the LBAA moves to Lake Hartwell, South Carolina on May 5-7. Tour stop number three is at Lake Guntersville, AL. on July 7-9 and the regular season ends at Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee August 25-27.
The LBAA 2011 Championship will be on October 6-8 and will be done old-school style. The LBAA Tournament Committee will announce the tournament site just prior to the championship extravaganza.
“I think 2011 is going to be a great year,” LaLumandier commented.
“It is a pleasure to see the excitement and enthusiasm growing with this organization,” stated LBAA Co-founder Secret York. “I had visions of what the future holds, but had no idea that it would come so strong and so fast. It’s going to be a sweet ride!”
Partnering with the LBAA in 2011 are: Wilkins Brothers Outdoors, Kick `n Bass Fish Attractant, Dawn Outdoors, Rayjus Outdoors, CASTAWAY Rods, Necessity Jigs, West Kentucky LED, Nite Owl Media Productions, Phoenix Boats First Flight Program, Ray Barga and Associates Inc., Todali Lures, Sure Life, BassCat Quest Program, Skeeter Boats Real Money, Triton Gold, Vickie’s Threadworks, Arkansas Tournament Fishing, and River Runner Baits.
For more information on the Lady Bass Anglers Association contact Co-founder Cheryl Bowden @ 1-214-738-7518; Co-founder Secret York @ 1-270-748-9041; Media Specialist Larry Morris @ 1-540-239-7902; or go to the World Wide Web at www.ladybassanglers.com.
774 Sugar Creek Road Grand River, Ky. 42045 Phone 1-214-738-7518 •• 1-270-748-9041 Facebook •• Lady Bass Anglers Association www.ladybassanglers.com
