I printed off everything I could find on the website yesterday. From what I can read... it sounds like a nice improvement.
I am writing because sometimes I don't always pick up the underlying message.
The guys on the BASSMASTER message aboard are in turm oil.
The thing that catches my eye, is that starting in 2007, the states will be sending 36 anglers to a regional championship vs. the 12 plus alternate we have now.
All you guys are smarter than me.
Can you give me your opinions and make sure that I understood what I read.
Check it out on bassmaster.com
Thanks,
Josh
This is as published on Bassfan.com ......
Recent Dock Talk
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Federation vote is in 1/12/2006
An overwhelming majority of BASS Federation state presidents voted last night to leave BASS and accept a proposal from FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs, according to Robert Cartlidge, president of The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF Inc.).
Cartlidge said the tally was 30-4 in favor of leaving BASS, with 14 presidents abstaining because they did not have the authority from their membership to cast a definitive vote at the meetings in Orlando, Fla. He added that he expects most of those 14 to join the majority within the next week to 10 days.
States that voted to remain with BASS were Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Cartlidge discusses the vote and the future of the Federation in an interview on BassFan Radio. To listen, click here.
BassFan will provide a full story soon.
Very funny, I just got done doing what you wrote about and then read your reply.
Do you know if our Michigan chapter has voted?
I know what my first reaction to this is, but I'm going to wait and think about it for a bit.
Michigan was one of the 14 that didn't vote and didn't have the authority to vote. I would imagine by tonight we should be able to find the "Acutal" FLW proposal so we can see it all in black and white. i'm a little stunned right now i guess, lots of things going through my head as to what all this will mean for us...my biggest question is when will it take affect???
I found the FLW proposal....
FLW proposal to TBF,Inc
Statement by FLW Chairman Irwin Jacobs
?I want to make it very clear to the entire TBF organization and its members that FLW Outdoors
has no interest in attempting to own or dictate to the TBF organization. I believe it?s in TBF?s
best interest, both short and long term, to be an independent organization that is both managed
and ruled by its members.? - Irwin Jacobs
TBF\'FLW Partnership Highlights
? FLW membership 25.00 per year (same as BASS)
? Full benefits access available to TBF\'FLW
members to include;
? Clothing discounts (FLW and TBF Clothing)
? FLW online store discounts, Electronics, TV?s,
Cell Phones, Barnes and Noble, IBM, 1-800 Flowers,
Pots & Pans, Kitchen Products, etc.
? GroupHeath Care Insurance available through E-Heath Insurance
? Auto & Boat Insurance through Travelers Insurance
? Co-Sponsored FLW\'TBF Credit Card Program
(Any fees and commissions from the Credit Cards will go back to the
State Federation where issued)
Youth!
? Funding for youth programs?Top to Bottom
? BIG name players?.. Family Values
? Wal-Mart, Kellogg?s, Ranger, Yamaha, Evinrude, Castrol, Fuji Film
? M&M Mars, Pedigree, Land of Lakes, Pure Fishing, Chevrolet, Others
? Travel assistance money to all Youth Contenders Advancing
? TBF\'FLW Junior World Championship @ FLW Championship
? How cool would it be to put the youth winners on the Kellogg?s box!
? Broad support for youth programs from Fortune 500 companies
? Annual National Youth Directors workshop
? CASH direct from TBF to your states youth program
? Spend it where YOU want to
CONSERVATION!
? Funding for Conservation Programs
? Big Name Players WANT to get behind you
? Wal-Mart, Kellogg?s, Ranger, Yamaha, Evinrude, Castrol, Fuji Film
M&M Mars, Pedigree, Land of Lakes, Pure Fishing, Chevrolet, Others
? People and companies with ?Horsepower?
? New Conservation awareness program,
? Your the experts tell us what you need
? Annual Conservation Directors Workshop
? CASH direct from TBF to your states Conservation program
? Spend it where YOU want to
Boat Buying Program and Ranger CUP
Earn a FREE Ranger Boat with engine for your State Federation!
Receive THOUSANDS for Ranger Cup STATE Program
It may be easier than you think!
See Boat Details Presentation
TOURNAMENT Opportunities
? FLW will provide early entry to TBF members in the BFL
as Boaters and as Co-anglers
? FLW will provide priority entry to TBF members in the Stren Series,
Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series events as Co-Anglers
? FLW will provide TBF State Champions Stren Series Pro Guaranteed slots
(must enter all four events in a division)
? FLW will Provide TBF, Inc with an associate sponsorship of the;
BFL, Stren Series, FLW Tour and FLW Series
? As a sponsor of FLW, TBF members will be enabled to wear a
State Federation Logo and\'or TBF Logo?s at any FLW
tournaments as a competitor
TOURNAMENTS
? State Events??.. Your state decides
? Divisionals?. by TBF\'FLW and Host States, Fully functional and supported
? Federation National Championship?by TBF\'FLW increased payout to $100,000.00
? National television coverage on Fox Sports Network-FSN
? FLW will provide TBF expenses PAID berth?s in the Wal-Mart BFL All-American
? 6 boater spots
? FLW will provide TBF expenses PAID berth?s in the Wal-Mart BFL All-American
? 6 Co-Angler Spots
? 12 spots total in Wal-Mart BFL All-American to TBF
? FLW will provide TBF one Pro Boater spot in the Forrest Wood Cup
($1,000,000.00 in cash to the winner if they run a Ranger,
$500,000.00 to the winner no matter what boat brand they own and use.)
? FLW will provide TBF one Co-Angler spot in the Forrest Wood Cup
Living the Dream
FLW\'TBF will provide the TBF National Champion with the
?Living the Dream? Promotion to include:
? A slot for one year with fully paid entry fee?s in the FLW Tour or
the FLW Series Tournaments
? A wrapped ?Living the Dream? Ranger Boat powered by a Yamaha engine PLUS,
a wrapped Chevrolet Truck for use during their one year tournament participation
? Expense money to help offset Travel costs.
Media
? FLW is a very powerful Media partner. They and their partners have
GLOBAL Media capabilities through all forms of Media
? TBF Federation National Championship coverage nationwide on
FOX Sports Net- FSN
? FLW will allot 4 pages in each issue of FLW Outdoors Magazine
to TBF.
The proposal you have seen is enormous. For any business relationship
to be long term successful it must be a two way street. Each party needs
to be rewarded for its efforts.
To offer up this kind of contract proposal that is in excess of:
15 million dollars?
These are REAL dollars supporting the federation.
TBF will need to provide FLW the following partnership commitments
TBF will provide to FLW:
? At least 80% of the TBF state Federations, Clubs, and Members
will join the FLW\'TBF relationship & become FLW Outdoors members
? TBF will agree to start a new TBF affiliated Federation in any state
where no active TBF Federation exists
? State Federations that join the FLW relationship agree to provide category
exclusive sponsorships to Wal-Mart, Ranger, Kellogg?s, BP, Castrol, Fuji Film,
Yamaha, Land O?Lakes, Pure Fishing, M&M Mars, Pedigree and Chevrolet
? Each participating TBF state Federation agrees to display the FLW logo on all
printed materials. Also the TBF national organization agrees to use the FLW logo
on all printed materials.
? This a five year agreement
TBF is positioned to hire staff as we move forward and support
the Presidents and their states.
$1.00 dollar per member ($250.00 minimum) to youth fund in your state
$1.00 dollar per member ($250.00 minimum) to conservation in your state
State equipment purchase program for the state federations
Hire key people near term;
? Office Administration
? Executive Assistant
? National Youth Programs Director
? National Conservation Programs Director
Overall, we think the federation is well positioned and has
more opportunities ahead of it than ever before.
Federation First!
?Owned by those we serve, Dedicated to the sport of fishing?
The Bass Federation, Inc.
Here is the BassFan.com proposal
BassFan.com proposal to TBF,Inc
Officers, Directors, and Members below is the proposal from BassFan.com
Gentlemen:
Thank you for the opportunity to propose ideas which BassFan feels will help the Federation succeed and grow. Below are the ways in which we would like to help. Since you will no doubt have a lot to read, we will keep everything that follows short and to the point.
A. How BassFan Sees the Federation
Our feeling is that the Federation is and has been:
? Undervalued
? Underpromoted
? Underutilized, meaning you've unfortunately had a boot on your collective head because of industry politics.
? Absolutely necessary, not just for the bass fishing industry, but also for the continued health and vitality of the outdoors experience.
You and people like you make the business and the experience of fishing possible. We appreciate that, and that is why we want to help you succeed.
B. A Little About BassFan
? BassFan is all about bass fishing and fun ? remember when bass fishing was fun? That's what we try to re-create every day, and that's what we want to help bring to your existing members and new members.
? BassFan is a media company that owns:
Several bass fishing media properties ? BassFan.com, BassFanArmy.com, BassFan Radio and the upcoming BassFan MAG magazine
A membership program ? the BassFan Army
Two events ? the Cabela's Top Gun Championship and the Skeeter BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship
? BassFan.com has more monthly readers than Bassmaster magazine, and more readers than ESPN/BASS and FLW TV shows have viewers.
? Unlike many media in the fishing industry, all BassFan media are produced by professionals: professional journalists, professional radio/video engineers, professional developers, etc. , with only professional standards and ethics.
? Regardless of some people in the industry's best efforts to position BassFan as a political football, we don't have a dog in any fight. We are a politics-free zone, support everyone through our coverage, and have an open playing field. A great example of this is the BassFan Army. Even though the BassFan Army and Weekend Warrior Championship are currently title-sponsored by Skeeter Boats, nothing about either is Skeeter-exclusive.
? BassFan is not "allied" with anyone. We have advertisers and sponsors and try to do as much for them as we can, but we do not have any exclusive relationships and will not be unfair to any company. We will write about, show and talk about every manufacturer of every product.
? We can't stress enough that we stay out of industry politics. We also believe strongly in treating everyone in bass fishing equally, and valuing everyone equally. It's a sad statement that the nature of the bass fishing industry makes such "neutrality" tough for some people to accept.
? Beyond that, BassFan shares many of the same values as the Federation, like: inclusion, youth, conservation, fun, "giving something back," and a strong desire to be part of the continued health and growth of bass fishing. These elements are discussed more below.
C. Overview
BassFan wants to help the Federation grow without requiring anything in terms of money. No money from the Federation or its members. Period.
We also have no desire to "own" or otherwise control or limit the Federation. Our only desire is to help the Federation grow and prosper ? with whoever your partners are ? in part by helping its members have more fun.
D. Item 1: A Media Home for the Federation
1. Description
? The Federation's official "Federation Central" web site
? Site will be at bassfederation.com or whatever web address TBF picks
? BassFan.com-like quality in terms of overall look and quality of information
? Federation news and Federation members will be covered regularly (almost every day)
? Coverage will be like BassFan.com but with different items, possibly including a conservation column, a youth column, area for TBF membership, forum or Q&A, etc.
? TBF members-only store will be incorporated into the new site
2. Staff
? Federation presidents/staffers will NOT have to worry about sending us information beyond phone numbers and photos
? BassFan will work with national and state Federations to get contact information and photos
? BassFan staffers will chase down and write all of the stories
3. Cost
? Zero cost to the Federation
? BassFan will build and maintain the site
? BassFan assumes all the financial risk
? We are confident we can break even on this by selling advertising on the site
? Current and future national TBF sponsors will get the premium ad space on the site
4. More Advantages
In addition to the above benefits, the Federation will benefit from working with BassFan in the following ways.
? BassFan's investment in new technologies like radio and video delivery via the Web/Internet will enable things such as Federation radio shows and Federation telecasts (Web-casts), again at no cost to the Federation. In some cases, this could actually save the Federation money, such as the ability to air entire TV shows that anyone can watch or download without having to spend money for TV airtime in timeslots that many people might miss.
? Working with BassFan means that the Federation site will have a homepage presence (content and link) on BassFan.com and on BassFanArmy.com, which will expose more fishermen of all ages to the Federation.
? It's possible that BassFan could help the states with their individual state web sites.
5. Ownership
? Even though BassFan will build and maintain the site, the Federation owns it.
? So that we can recover our investment, BassFan requests a 36-month agreement to operate the site with the option for another 36 months.
6. Why the Web
? We are not proposing a Federation website just because we are in the website business. We are in the website business because that is the best medium for a media company to be in.
? The Web is all media ? "print" (words/photos), TV, radio ? and is available 24/7/365.
? It is the fastest way to get information out to members and about sponsors.
? Men and younger people (about 29 and younger) spend far more time on the Web than with any other media. This is an important fact if the Federation desires to grow its organization.
? We strongly believe the Federation needs a solid, powerful, comprehensive Web presence.
7. Federation Magazine
? If the Federation decides to produce its own magazine, BassFan would like to bid on the work.
? Please bear in mind that a magazine ? a good one, one that your members and your sponsors will be proud to get ? will be fairly expensive.
? Printing is expensive, mailing costs regularly increase and you will have to have a circulation "department" (at least one person) to make sure everyone gets their issues, etc.
? If your membership grows, the cost to do a magazine will increase.
E. Item 2: BassFan Army Programs for Federation Members
1. What is the BassFan Army?
? The BassFan Army, currently title-sponsored by Skeeter Boats, is a year-old BassFan membership program.
? Its purposes are to allow anglers to have more politics-free fun while fishing, and to help members "give back" to the sport in the conservation and youth areas.
? On the fishing side, opportunities for members include:
The opportunity to win contingency money for using certain products while fishing the events (e.g., Federation events) anglers always fish.
The opportunity to qualify for the BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship (see 2 below).
The opportunity to get recognized via BassFanArmy.com and BassFan.com for tournament performance, big bass catches and other accomplishments (e.g., youth, conservation) in fishing.
? The BassFan Army is NOT a tournament trail.
? The BassFan Army is NOT for Skeeter owners only.
? It costs nothing beyond the $19.95 membership fee to join, which will be waived for Federation members (see 3 below).
2. What is the BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship?
? Anglers qualify from BassFan Army-sanctioned trails (e.g., Bass Federation, BFL, ABA, WON Bass, etc.) to fish the annual Weekend Warrior Championship.
? No entry fee and everyone gets paid. Last year, the first year, saw 37 anglers participate. The winner won $20,000 cash, the runner-up won $15,000 cash and last place won $590 cash.
? Last year five Federation anglers qualified, the Top 5 finishers at the Federation National Championship. Four intended to fish, but one qualifier's wife had a baby and couldn't attend so three fished.
? Robert Cartlidge attended the 2005 event.
3. Proposed BassFan Army Programs for the Federation
? Free membership in perpetuity ($19.95 annual fee waived).
? Six (or more) boater and co-angler slots at the Weekend Warrior Championship. How anglers qualify is up to the Federation.
? Working with the Federation to develop the BassFan Army's grant program ? called the "BassFan Foundation" ? for conservation and other purposes, as well as youth-oriented ideas.
? It's possible that a Federation-only tournament (e.g., a state champions tournament) could be worked into the 2 weeks in which the Weekend Warrior Championship and the Cabela's Top Gun Championship are held.
F. Opportunity Summary
We hope you see that these are no-strings-attached opportunities.
A powerful, dynamic on-line home is a requirement for any viable organization. And in this information (and disinformation) age, reaching your members quickly with a central voice is critically important. Again, BassFan would provide all of this free.
The BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship is another big, national event that your members can shoot for, except that this one is totally free and everyone who fishes it gets paid.
BassFan and the BassFan Army share the core values of the Federation, which embrace not just fishing but also conservation, youth and other "giving back"-type programs. We would like to assist the Federation in seeing those values and programs thrive.
Importantly, these are programs of inclusion (not exclusion), and can begin immediately.
G. Contacts
We hope we've given you enough information about these opportunities. If not, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss any or all of this.
I am trying to get as much info as I can... I have to bring my club up to speed tonight at our meeting.
There is a lot of reading to do.
I hope that we hear something from our Federation President soon.
Seems like a lot of information.
Not sure if I missed it, but is there anything about liability insurance?
Currently BASS provides this for all our club functions, including any open tournaments we may run.
If this is no longer available, that seems like it could be a problem.
Am I wrong on this??
Ronhuntfish,
I can not find that info at this time. VERY good question though.
I have taken it upon myself to get as much information about all the options
available and get that to my club.
This way, when we go to the president's meeting, we will be representing our
club to the fullest extent.
The time between now and then should give us enough time to air out a lot of
those type questions.
I am constantly surfing to learn all that I can.
Josh
QuoteNot sure if I missed it, but is there anything about liability insurance?
Currently BASS provides this for all our club functions, including any open tournaments we may run.
If this is no longer available, that seems like it could be a problem.
I looked at the new BASS program, and I don't see the insurance there either, so I guess that shouldn't matter either way. Although, for 2006 nothing changes with BASS, so you would have the liability insurance through 2006, I think.
Lots to read and think through. Not sure which way I'd like to see us all go. The next club meeting should be interesting. . . .
I guess I don't quite understand all this.? If the Federation votes to go with FLW, does this mean that current BASS affiliate clubs are automatically affiliated with FLW once the change happens???? If clubs want to stay affiliated with B.A.S.S., will they need to be part of some other organization to participate in B.A.S.S. sanctioned regional championships and so forth?? I've been reading online about this quite a bit, but don't completely understand how the change would work and what effect it would immediately have on the club level.? Am I the only one who is dense here?? I wouldn't be surprised.? DOH!
Revtro,
If the Michigan federation chooses to stay with ESPN/BASS then we must sign a new B.A.S.S. Federation Nation State Chapter agreement. They say it is not a contract, but must be followed to be considered a chapter member in good standing. So... yes it's a contract.
I am undecided at this time which way I would like to see things happen.
If your question is what happens if the Michigan chapter goes to the FLW and you would still like to fish BASS.
ESPN/BASS says you can still do that with any new Federation Nation Chapter that has signed the agreement.
At this time, I do not know of any club or organization prepairing themselves to set themselves up to do that.
I am going to find out though, somehow, I think that I will post that question on the BassMaster forum and see if I can get a straight answer.
The biggest thing that stands out to me is this... I did not grew up dreaming of one day fishing in the BassMaster's Classic, not once did the Forrest L. Woods Championship cross my mind.
For me... it's kind of like dreaming about playing in the Superbowl and having to settle for the Canadian National Championship or whatever they call it.
Did they have the FLW Championship when you were growing up?
What was the first year of the FLW Championship?
With all the problems between the Federation and Bass, I think a change would be good. I don't like the attitude of some of the top people at Bass, so the switch to FLW sounds good to me.
Emeryj,
I have to agree with your thoughts on the Classic. I have been " hooked" on bass fishing since 1972. I've been a member since 1985, a life member since 2000. I've watched it on TV since it's been on. I've always had the dream of holding the Classic trophy over my head, who hasn't?
In my mind, the FLW Championship just isn't the same. I'm not saying it's not a big time event, it is. I'm not saying it's not an important part of professional bass fishing, it is. It's just not the Classic and it never will be.
FYI, the Canadian version of the Super Bowl is called the Grey Cup.
Also, Cwinsiii, according to their website the FLW Outdoors in it's current form was formed in 1995. It doesn't specifically say when the first championship was held but I would guess '95 or '96.
Another big problem I have is the sponsorship requirements. I don't totally understand the offers presented by BASS and FLW, but it seems the FLW is continuing its more strict use of the national sponsors only, just like their tournaments. Just look at the winnings offered - if you own a Ranger, you win twice as much but you still pay the same entry fee no matter what. I can accept the companies offering bonus money to their fisherman that do well in tournaments, but keep it separate from the tournament organization itself.
I just don't like the thought that if I ever make it to the big championship tournament, I would have to put duct tape over the sponsors that helped get me there.
It is a great opportunity for Ranger(Irwin) though. Reduce the competition(BASS), add thousands of new memberships and dangle huge bonus money in front of more anglers to help sway their boat buying decisions.
Gentlemen,
at least I'm pretty sure you are, I have met Cwinsiii at the DK Open before.
So I am positive on one of you anyways.
I like the fact that you are asking all the right questions, it is very important that everyone ask questions.
I feel that there are a great number of people that are acting to quickly, just to say they can stick it to ESPN/BASS.
I don't think it will be until after all the smoke clears that we will find out the details of any proposal.
You know... the fine print.
I can only tell you that to me... the proposals on the table are only "outlines" and the details are yet to come.
We need those details to answer our questions.
Which is why I feel that a lot of members are acting too hastily.
Josh
I just don't like it when Bass comes out and said your going to do this. The Federation is a separate business from Bass so they don't have that power.
I grew up watching Bass on TV so it does have more meaning to me than FLW. I just know there have been a lot of problem between Bass and the Federation in the past.
I'm not in a club so it will not have any affect on me, I just don't like the attitude of the top people at Bass.
Keep us posted Josh
Thanks
Clare
That's all interesting stuff to think about. I was just curious mostly. I'm not really gonna form any opinions until it all happens. On a side note, what would it take for the FLW Championship to become on par with the Bassmaster Classic? For instance, what if by some freak of happenstance (and of course, I don't really believe it would happen) the biggest pros in the sport all moved over to FLW and the FLW Championship became known as the World Championship? Would this then legitimize the event as the "super bowl of bass fishing" Or do you suppose it has more to do with the history of the BASS organization which gives it legitimacy?
Just thought it might make for some interesting conversation with you gentlemen. Things that make you go hmmmm.
What would it take to be another classic? - Biggest name pros, lots of hype, better coverage(on a more mainstream channel than FSN) and the federation followings.
I think the biggest things are that BASS has the names everybody knows. VanDam, Davis, Clunn, etc. so you know you are seeing the greatest anglers. There are a lot of hardly known anglers that are in the FLW championship and the bracket system sucks. This is not a one on one sport so don't treat it as such!
I have to agree with the whole bracket thing. I really don't care much for that part of the FLW Championship. I would love to see them change it.
What happens with the current clubs that have already paid Ma BASS ( was due 12/21/05), if the state decides to go to FLW? I to am interested in the Liability insurance.
The club presidents have the final say. There would have to be many changes to our Michigan bylaws to make a change. That would take some time - not happen very soon.
emeryj is correct. The whole story isn't out yet. The details of some parts are still changing, being developed and getting review even now. The Mi federation board will have as much information that is available, accurate and approved for the Feb 5 meeting for discussion depending on what the presidents want to do.
This is kind of happening too fast suddenly for many states and clubs to really handle well. We are getting email from BASS pretty much every day still too.
If you have already paid for 2006, BASS would be happy to help you create a new federation/clubs who want to stay BASS. I honestly will be surprised if the majority of Mi clubs want to leave. Just a gut feeling... and it will take time even if I'm wrong.
My biggest hope with the whole thing is that each club has a long discussion internally on how the changes will affect things; of course we will need all of the information prior to doing that...hopefully each specific will be diagramed and available soon. I just want us to benefit from the best available "program" and not miss out because we are scared of change..now that might sound like I am leaning towards FLW, but its not the case...i am struggling to stay impartial until everything is released, but for noe I am doing that. The FLW proposal said nothing about liability insurance, which really threw up flags in our club, since we hold a charity tournament. Maybe FLW is offering this but for now we don't now. That prompted most guys in our club to say they didn't want to leave Ma BASS, but I urge everyone to stay impartial until we hear everything. I wonder how good things would be if 80% of the states are with one organization and the other 20% are with others. I keep coming back to the statement I've been hearing over and over..the old BASS is gone...is this good or bad?? For now I'm keeping my eyes and ears open.. :-\'
I hope the state board does not expect the presidents to vote come 2/5/06, with the lack of information, time and un-answered questions. Our club will not meet again until 2/12/06. I would hate to have to do a individual poll of our club members. Also, what are the clubs to do with new member dues?
djmaclf,
Please do not wait to hear from the board!!!!!!
I opened up the contacts list on the MBCF and statred at the top and went down until I got
someone to answer the phone.
Fortunately I only had to make two phone calls.
I did have about a 45 minute phone conversation the Vice President David Dienes.
I am going to stay right where I am.... and right now, that's riding the yellow line.
But I will urge everyone that will be affected by this decision to contact a MBCF board member
as soon as possible, AND DEFINATELY BEFORE FEBRUARY 5TH!!!!
That is all.
Josh
lots of big "don't knows" to your questions..but good questions they are. there is no way the presidents could be prepared to vote at the Feb. meeting...but will the April meeting be too late? some special meetings might have to happen, trying times ahead for sure.
A change can NOT be made at the February meeting. It can only be discussed.
The Michigan federation is an incorporated business with bylaws and rules that have to be followed, especially to make such a major change as this. I doubt we are the only state that can't make this decision in a matter of days.
I hope to go through fed president Doug Hedberg's notes this weekend and provide anything more I can if there is more to provide than what Bassfan (and all of you) has reported. I believe a number of things had not been worked out yet and I don't want to make anglers more confused by posting things that may change a day or two later, or are too incomplete.
The times they are a chang'ing.
Like the rest of you I dreamed of making it to the "Classic". But, with what has happened in the world of tourney angling in the last few months, it seems as if thats a thing of the past. I am not affiliated with a club, as I do not have the time for one with my work schedule, but I have been affiliated with the FLW,and in my personal opinion, they are defiantly the future of tournament fishing. If you look at this years stats, how many anglers left the FLW to fish B.A.S.S. compared to how many anglers left B.A.S.S. to fish the FLW, I think that makes the decision easy. I look forward to a new beginning, with the FLW, and can't wait to be a part of it.
Just my $.02
Rob
MI Federation president Doug Hedberg has posted his notes and comments on the main page of the official Michigan BASS Chapter Federation website if you are interested in reading that - President's Message about BASS (http://www.michiganbass.net). (Click this link and then click the red message link - wish they would have worded the link a little different...)