(Sylvan KS Wilson Lake) The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW, TBF of Kansas and Russell County Economic Development and Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Kansas High School Fishing State Championship on Sunday, May 19th. Twelve teams signed up to fish the tournament but only eleven showed due to the impending weather situation in Kansas and surrounding states. The teams fishing represented high school students from 14 different high schools throughout the state of Kansas.
Sunday morning brought cloudy skies with storms possibly developing throughout the day. The TBFKS tournament staff decided at registration Saturday evening to evaluate the weather on Sunday morning and have a tournament briefing on the ramp. It was decided on Saturday morning to have the weigh-in start at 2:00PM versus 3:00PM due to the weather threat and safety of all involved.
The TBFKS staff had boats on the water during the day to find the competitors and take pictures of them fishing. All of them were catching fish using multiple patterns. The fish were definitely shallow for the most part.
Weigh-in started promptly 2:00PM with competitors bringing limits of fish to the scales. As it turns out the First Place Team of Brock Miller Wichita Northwest Grizzlies/Dakota Driskill Goddard High School Lions weighed in a 5 fish limit of 13.56lbs. They were followed closely behind by the Team of Christian Hamel – Stockton High School Tigers/Holden Jones – Hill City High School Ringnecks weighing in another 5 fish limit at 11.81lbs. The third place team of Zach Vielhauer/Ryan Rebori – Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars also had a limit weighing 10.41lbs. Full results are listed below.
Students and parents can go to www.highschoolfishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW benefits, including FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The state champions from each state will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. Conference winners will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2014. All SAF members nationwide and all state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2013 High School Fishing World Finals. At these events students will compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team qualifying for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help 
offset expenses. The National Champions will also receive a $5,000 scholarship each to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not a current 2013 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership benefits for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL SAF sanctioned events!
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. TBF of Kansas offers these young anglers and their parents a home to participate in the sport of fishing locally and year round. Our partnership with FLW provides more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of too,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and their families have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
About FLW
FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2013 over the course of 231 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization there is. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for 45. TBF started the Student Angler Federation and the national High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org
