PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
I don’t believe saying that this past year was "challenging" is too much of an understatement. I am actually looking forward to a simpler task at hand with the upcoming two years.

Circumstances deemed it necessary for our Federation to function on a National platform at a higher level then most years would normally mandate. Our stability and loyalty to BASS, from the beginning of the year, had everything in the world to do with our position to assist BASS in its’ rebuilding process. And believe me it is appreciated.

Here’s hoping that we also managed to keep an eye and an ear on matters locally and have at least tried to live up to expectations of our members.

It is and has always been apparent that our Federation means different things to different people. Some look at it with a passion to get involved in areas concerning youth, conservation or tournaments. Most, it would seem, regard it as just a part of the social fabric of their lives. All viewpoints have their place but no organization is going to function and improve without the input of its members.

So keep those cards and letters coming folks. Your Region Directors are at your disposal to take and give suggestions and recommendations. Make sure they are doing their job by doing yours.

The majority of the new Executive Board is already in place and beginning to pick up the pace for 2007.

We are tweaking the trail venue a little bit with a "best four out of five" format and dropping the under attended Classic. Your state team spots will now be your Anglers of the Year from each division. Recommendations for relocating team allocated spots have been discussed but member feedback is paramount. We have heard your cries for your opinions and suggestions so let’s have them and I don’t just mean on the message board.

We are going to emphasize rules and regulations as it concerns our youth events. We need to do a better job of communicating information before, during and after all youth tournament and Casting Kids events. Our youth leaders are staying in place so it should be a matter of just knocking off a few rough edges. We could, however, use a capable individual in the capacity of a Casting Kids coordinator. There’s a lot going on with youth and we need to spread the work load out a bit.

I could probably make this letter about ten pages long but I’ll save some for future reports. I would like to close with a thank you to all the guys and gals who have pitched in and helped my first two years and certainly to Board members, staying and going, for their support and dedication.