November 8, 2003 Spokane, WA. The Washington State B.A.S.S. Federation held its annual winter awards banquet at the Airport Hilton in Spokane, Washington.
The Washington Federation State Team was announced, Nick Witkowski, Dan Johnson, Howard Summers, Curtis Kimbell, Ken Elvsaas, Ron Mace, Kirk Bain, Allen Weinert, John Semken, Jeff Boyer, Paul McKenney and the 2003 Washington Angler of the Year Gene Batey Jr. of Tri-Cities Bassmasters.
Washington State Club Team top three clubs are 1st Place-Capital City Bass Club, 2nd Place-Tri-Cities Bassmasters and 3rd Place-Puyallup Hawg Hunters.
Puyallup Hawg Hunters won the Special Events Award for their Tournament fund raiser for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The Community Service and Youth Programs award was won by Washington Bass Association.
Capital City Bass Club won the Conservation, Public Relations, Junior Club of the Year and Club of the Year awards.
The 2003 Washington State BASS Federation's Man of the Year is Mark E. Byrne, Byrne is a member of the Capital City Bass Club and it is the second Man of the Year Award for Byrne.
The new State Federation officers elected in September were sworn in at an Induction of Officers Ceremony, President Gary Morris, Vice President Mark E. Byrne and Secretary/Treasurer Joe Jacoby.
The Washington BASS Federation also voted to change the format of the Qualifying Tournament Series from a three tournament series to a one tournament, with the top twelve anglers advancing to the regional tournament as the Washington State Team. Also the club team competition will be replaced by a payout of cash prizes to the winners. In the past only ten anglers from each club qualified to fish this tournament, now as many anglers from each club may fish signing up as a boater and non-boater on the same entry form, club/federation members who cannot find someone to sign-up with from their own club will be able to sign-up with any other club/federation angler. The Washington State BASS Federation web site will have a page set-up to help anglers find sign-up partners.
The Inland Empire Bass Club hosted the 2003 WSBF Awards Banquet and they did a great job, also a thank you to guest speaker Spokane area BASS/FLW pro Luke Clausen.
The next big events for the Federation will be the Sportsmen Shows in Puyallup and Monroe, Washington. For more information go to our web site at: http://www.wabass.org.