The Memphis Bass Club
promotes fishing, conservation and fellowship. We
especially target introducing younger
fishermen (and fisherwomen) to the sport. The club hopes
to attract members who will continue the goals of helping
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, friendly fishing
competition and furthering the sport of fishing.
MEMPHIS BASS CLUB
The Memphis Bass
Club is the oldest bass club in the Memphis, Tennessee area. It
was founded in 1969 and the membership roster includes some of
the pioneers of modern bass fishing.
Here is some early history of the Memphis Bass Club. This
information was recorded by Ken Lindsey.
The Memphis Bass Club held its organizational meeting January
27, 1969. This meeting was held in the auditorium of the Memphis
Park Commission, 2599 Avery Street. A temporary committee was
assigned with William Wolbrecht presiding. Dues were $7.50 with
a $5 initiation fee. By March 31, 1969, the club membership was
140 and the club voted to limit the membership to 200. Early
membership included Clarence ‘Johnny’ Fowler, Eron “Red Dog”
Harris, Gerald Blanchard, Maurice Wexler, James V.
Weatherington, Dennis Demo, Terry Kirk, Lee Griffin, Paul
Lazarov, Skip Wolf, Roan McPhail, Ed Wright, John T. “Buddy”
Martin, Bart Fruhmann, Ed Ferguson and Charlie McCrory, Tommy
Cleaves, Bill Dance and Charles Spence.
The Memphis Bass Club held the first St. Jude Bass Classic in
1973 and Lee
Griffin was the first tournament director. This first tournament
had 250 people who fished and $3,600 was raised for St. Jude.
The Memphis Bass Club continues to host the Annual St. Jude
Bass Classic and promotes fishing, conservation and fellowship.
We especially target introducing younger fishermen (and
fisherwomen) to the sport with our “Take A Child Fishing” event
and the family fishing picnic we schedule
each summer. Membership dues are $50 per year and the club has
had an average membership of 55 members over the past several
years. The club hopes to attract members who will continue the
goals of helping St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, friendly
fishing competition and furthering
the sport of fishing. Anyone interested in finding out more
about the Memphis Bass Club can log on to our web site
memphisbassclub.net.
