Tennessee Bass Federation

May Newsletter

It certainly is an interesting time to be a fisherman in Tennessee.  Fish are very active and many are being caught, but on the other hand, the economy is on a downward trend and fuel prices are going out the roof.  In a response to the fuel prices, many of our clubs are setting up their tournaments on lakes that are closer to their home community.  As individuals, some of the anglers are spending more time fishing in a closer proximity to the launch ramp.  They treat each creek as a separate lake and really concentrate on the structure found within its boundaries.  Many of our fishermen are cranking the outboard less.  It seems that the electric motor doesn’t cost as much to run as the outboard.  What ever your case, please enjoy the days that you can get on the water and remember how blessed we are in the great state of Tennessee.

Youth News:

The Tennessee Bass Federation Junior State Tournament is coming to Dayton, Tennessee.  The tournament will showcase a group of young people that will make up the Tennessee Bass Federation in the future and many can’t wait for the event.  Our junior anglers will gather in Dayton at the Rhea County Welcome Center on Friday, June 6 for registration and pairings and the tournament will be held on Saturday, June 7.   The host hotel for the tournament is the Holiday Inn Express in Dayton.  Details for the tournament can be found on the Tennessee Bass Federation website (www.tnbass.com).  Our State Youth Director, Bruce Greig, will be on hand with other Federation Officers, great state sponsors, and the host community to try to make this tournament the best state youth tournament yet.  I know some of the folks in Dayton are more excited to have the young anglers in their community than the adults at the State Tournament in October.

The winner of each age group (11-14 and 15-18) will represent Tennessee at the National Guard Junior World Championship to be held in South Carolina in August at the FLW Championship.  At this tournament the junior anglers will be fishing with pro anglers out of the pro’s boats.  The final weigh in will be held on the same stage that one of the pros will stand on when they win a million dollars at the Championship.  This is a very special experience that two lucky young anglers from Tennessee will enjoy.  This event will be made possible by all of the FLW, TBF, Inc and Tennessee Bass Federation Sponsors and especially the National Guard.  The following companies are those who have partnered with TBF. They are industry leaders who are supporting TBF wherever they can. Please do the same for them. FLW Outdoors, Wal-Mart, National Guard, Ranger Boats, Chevrolet, Solar Bat, Lowrance, Yamaha, Castrol, BERKLEY and Evinrude.

Sponsor Highlights: Humminbird

At the last meeting of the Tennessee Bass Federation Officers and Directors a decision was made to pursue a contract for sponsorship with Humminbird Electronics.  This decision was a result of many weeks of discussion and study of the Electronics Market in the United States today and into the future.  We feel good about our decision and look forward to many years of a positive relationship with this modern technology company.  The following information comes from Humminbird’s website.

( www.humminbird.com)   Please go to their site and check out the products they offer.

Humminbird. Simply. Clearly. Better.For over 30 years we’ve been America’s favorite Fishfinder – the leading innovator of Side Imaging technology – providing recreational and professional anglers difference-making days out on the water, day after day, year after year.

Humminbird introduced fishfinders, depth sounders, marine radios and GPS systems to anglers. In fact, many of the exciting innovative products and features that are in wide use today were our creation. We continue to introduce smart technology and cutting-edge products for anglers and their families to get the most out of their getaways, daytrips and fishing adventures.

Humminbird products are available through a wide variety of retail outlets in the USA and Canada, and available worldwide in over 100 countries through our local dealers and distributors.  The Humminbird brand is manufactured by the Marine Electronics Group of Johnson Outdoors (Nasdaq: JOUT). At a state-of-the-art facility in Eufaula, Alabama, Humminbird designs, engineers and manufactures sonar and electronic products primarily for the consumer market.

Our history. From humble roots to Humminbird worldwide.

Techsonic Industries, Inc. began in Eufaula, Alabama in 1971 as Fulton Electronics in a small garage-like facility financed by a handful of local investors.  Operations began by modifying Heath Kits to produce electronic fish-finding devices – marketed as the first Humminbird Depth Sounders.  In 1975 the company introduced the first ever waterproof depth sounder, the Super Sixty, and suddenly every serious fisherman in the country was hooked. The Super Sixty went on to become one of the largest selling fishfinders ever produced. By 1977, Fulton Electronics inched towards #1 in the marine electronics market, new leadership took over and the company adopted a new name – Techsonic Industries, Inc.  During 1984, Techsonic unveiled the LCR series, forerunners of the liquid crystal displays. And by 1987, under the Humminbird brand label, the LCR4ID fishfinder became the #1 selling product in both the sport fishing and marine industries.  Throughout the 90s, the Humminbird brand continued with new innovations, including the revolutionary introduction of the first 3-D sonar, the Dimension 3-120. Teleflex Incorporated of Limerick, Pennsylvania noticed the success of the company, and in 1993 partnered with Techsonic to create the Humminbird® WIDE series, what would become the finest product launch in Techsonic history. That year, Techsonic officially became a “Teleflex Company”.  The new millennia began with the continued innovation that’s become synonymous with Humminbird. In 2002 the Piranha series of entry-level fishfinders was introduced. SmartCast wireless technology launched in 2003, opening the market to all anglers, even those fishing from banks, docks and smaller boats. Later that year, the Matrix Fishing Systems launched, providing advanced sonar, chartplotting and GPS capabilities for professional anglers.

In mid-2004, Johnson Outdoors acquired Techsonic Industries. Known for its spirit of adventure and legacy of innovation, Johnson Outdoors is the perfect complement to the Humminbird brand.

Charlie’s Kitchen:

Country Breakfast Casserole

One pound of pork sausage cooked and drained, One eight ounce package of Crescent rolls, Two Cups of Mozzarela Cheese, Four Eggs, ¾ Cup of Milk, Onion (Optional), Green Pepper (Optional)

Line bottom of  a 9 x 13 pan with crescent rolls, seal seams (push rolls together in bottom of pan so that the bottom is sealed), layer sausage and cheese over the rolls.

Combine eggs and milk, beat well, and pour over the previously prepared ingredients.  Bake at 400 degrees for fifteen minutes.  Cut into squares and serve.