SHORELINES

Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail, a non-profit promotional arm of the Alabama Tourism Department, says most people are shocked to discover how big high school bass fishing has become in such a very short time. "It's a win-win situation for everyone," Donaldson says. "Not only are these kids learning teamwork, they are learning conservation practices and how to leave things better than they found them. "I wish everyone could see the look on their faces when they come into the weighins and see all those fans waiting." Not every high school student can 22 be a linebacker on the football team or a center on the basketball team, says Norman Brown, state president of the ASABFA. He says bass fishing offers all the competitiveness of any other sport, yet provides an opportunity for just about any student to compete. Birmingham's Rose Ellis, a regional tournament director for the program, says she believes that is why high school fishing is growing so rapidly. Boys and girls can compete on equal footing. She said four female students qualified for the state championship tournament last year. Ellis says a bass has no idea who is on the other end of the line. "It doesn't matter how big you are or how fast you are," she says. "It's just you against the fish." Each high school team is allowed to enter five boats of two anglers each in the four regional tournaments held across the state. The top qualifiers from those regional tournaments advance to the state championship. Each school is allowed four tournaments in the fall to determine those 10 anglers. Anglers receive points not only for their finishes in the individual tournaments but also for community service. For liability reasons, team members are not allowed to drive boats. Volunteers provide all boats and drive them. All coaches are volunteers, as are those who put on the tournaments. Brown says he doesn't have a lot to offer volunteers, but they have a lot to offer back. "Not only are these kids learning teamwork, they are learning conservation practices." He says he tells people he needs to borrow their boat, their time and their money, but in return they get to take some kids fishing. Brown says he has no trouble luring volunteers to the cause. It makes for a great fishing story that, unlike many anglers' tales, is actually true. - Mike Bolton Use your smart device to find: more information on aSABFA www.asabfa.com Above: High school angling tournaments often host hundreds of boats of students and volunteer drivers. Opposite: Erin Holman, a student angler with the Colbert Heights Bass Cats stands at weigh-in on Weiss Lake.

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