A new chapter in the history of professional bass fishing unfolds on Kentucky Lake May 5th – 7th as women anglers from all corners of the United States converge on Moor’s Resort and Marina in Paducah, Kentucky to discuss the future of women’s bass fishing and compete in a two-day draw tournament pairing boaters and non-boaters.
When ESPN/BASS announced the termination of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour in early January, women anglers were left in limbo. While many of the ladies scrambled to enter other predominately male fishing events before the fields were full, they were still saddened by the fact that they could no longer compete with the life-long friends they had made over the years fishing with “just the girls”.
Two respected touring pros decided it was time the women took charge of their own future. Cheryl Bowden of Texas and Secret York of Kentucky went to work immediately with a plan to organize a new women’s trail “Our goal is to establish a trail run by women anglers for women anglers,” Bowden said. “We invite women and potential sponsors interested in a women’s trail to attend a meeting on May 5th at 10:00 A.M. to establish a board of directors and discuss a 2011 Women’s trail, locations, format, entry fees, rules, payouts, publicity, sponsorship opportunities and more.”
Bowden and York see this as a “win win” situation for everyone. “Not only will this create the opportunity to continue fishing professionally with other women, but as women anglers we have a voice in the direction of a future tour and the means of creating quality sponsorship opportunities.” York said.
The two-day Kentucky Lake fishing event May 6-7, 2010 is open to all women who have a passion for bass fishing and the desire to compete with other women anglers. Women must pre-register by April 14th. Entry forms and other information can be obtained by going to the link listed below. All entries will be time stamped to identify and create a balanced field of pros and co-anglers. Final registration and pairing of pros and co-anglers will be held on May 5th.
“We are thrilled with the support we have received to make this event possible,” Bowden said. “It is not too late for additional companies to show their support and to be involved in establishing the trail,” Bowden said. Sponsors to date include: BassCat Boats, castaway graphite rods, Dave Stewart’s Big Bass Guide Service, Legend Boats, Moors Resort and Marina, Murray Ledger and Times, Nite Owl Media Productions, Necessity Jigs, North Texas Marine Triton dealership, Ray Barga and Associates, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, Skeeter Boats, Sportsmen’s Edge Triton Boat dealership, Todali Lures, Triton Boats, and West Kentucky LED.
For more information go to www.cherylbowden.net and select the link – Women’s Trail Invitation or call Cheryl Bowden at 214-738-7518 or Secret York at 270-748-9041. It is not too late to sign up and be a part of history in the making for women bass anglers.
