stephen
03-21-2009, 12:13 PM
I.O.W.A. Conservation fund donates $1000 to AYA
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
Part of the mission of the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail is for each team to donate $10 of each entry from all tournaments to their I.O.W.A. conservation fund. On behalf of the I.O.W.A. anglers that contributed in 2008, tournament Directors Dean and Christine Higgins and their children Jayden, Keaton and Katelyn attended the first annual Angler Young Angler (AYA) fundraiser at the Minneapolis Convention Center on March 14 and presented the AYA with a $1000 donation.
With a main objective to introduce and educate young anglers to competitive sport fishing in a fun environment surrounded by family and friends while creating memories that will last a lifetime, Higgins felt this was an ideal place to donate from the I.O.W.A. conservation fund. “This was a fantastic fundraiser! The proceeds go to our youth, and they are the future of our sport.”
Higgins continued, “The objective of our conservation fund is to give back to the sport of fishing that we all love, and who better to give some of that to but to our youth.” This event was emceed by TV host and professional walleye champions Scott and Marty Glorvigan. Gary Roach (Mr. Walleye), Perry Good, Tom Backer, Meteorologist John McLaughlin and many others were a part of the event.
Higgins personally entered a “day-on-the-water” in his Lund 2075 ProV as a silent auction item at the fundraiser.
The AYA holds a series of tournaments for teams that consist of one adult angler and two young anglers, 17 and under. Each event includes official weigh-in, prizes, awards and BBQ to follow a hard day’s fishing. The winner of each regional event qualifies for the opportunity to participate in the National Championship.
One of the 2009 AYA qualifying events will be at Big Creek on Saturday, June 6. “This will be the second year for the AYA tournament in Iowa, but I encourage those interested to get their entry in because only 50 teams are accepted,” said Higgins. The event will be hosted for the second consecutive year by Brightwell’s Boathouse. For more information on this Iowa AYA tournament, visit www.brightwellsboathouse.com or call (515) 276-0093.
Both Dean and Chris and the I.O.W.A. crew will emceeing the weigh-in for the Big Creek tournament. “We also purchased an AYA print, number one out of six that we will be auctioning off the day of the Big Creek tournament,” added Higgins.
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
Part of the mission of the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail is for each team to donate $10 of each entry from all tournaments to their I.O.W.A. conservation fund. On behalf of the I.O.W.A. anglers that contributed in 2008, tournament Directors Dean and Christine Higgins and their children Jayden, Keaton and Katelyn attended the first annual Angler Young Angler (AYA) fundraiser at the Minneapolis Convention Center on March 14 and presented the AYA with a $1000 donation.
With a main objective to introduce and educate young anglers to competitive sport fishing in a fun environment surrounded by family and friends while creating memories that will last a lifetime, Higgins felt this was an ideal place to donate from the I.O.W.A. conservation fund. “This was a fantastic fundraiser! The proceeds go to our youth, and they are the future of our sport.”
Higgins continued, “The objective of our conservation fund is to give back to the sport of fishing that we all love, and who better to give some of that to but to our youth.” This event was emceed by TV host and professional walleye champions Scott and Marty Glorvigan. Gary Roach (Mr. Walleye), Perry Good, Tom Backer, Meteorologist John McLaughlin and many others were a part of the event.
Higgins personally entered a “day-on-the-water” in his Lund 2075 ProV as a silent auction item at the fundraiser.
The AYA holds a series of tournaments for teams that consist of one adult angler and two young anglers, 17 and under. Each event includes official weigh-in, prizes, awards and BBQ to follow a hard day’s fishing. The winner of each regional event qualifies for the opportunity to participate in the National Championship.
One of the 2009 AYA qualifying events will be at Big Creek on Saturday, June 6. “This will be the second year for the AYA tournament in Iowa, but I encourage those interested to get their entry in because only 50 teams are accepted,” said Higgins. The event will be hosted for the second consecutive year by Brightwell’s Boathouse. For more information on this Iowa AYA tournament, visit www.brightwellsboathouse.com or call (515) 276-0093.
Both Dean and Chris and the I.O.W.A. crew will emceeing the weigh-in for the Big Creek tournament. “We also purchased an AYA print, number one out of six that we will be auctioning off the day of the Big Creek tournament,” added Higgins.