Bass Club Digest

Pigeon Valley Bassmasters of Canton, N.C. under the leadership of Mike Cairnes, Club President received its fourth and fifth national awards in June 2005 when the club won the previous year’s Chapter of the Year and Conservation awards—in competition with all B.A.S.S. clubs in throughout the country! This bass club previously won the National B.A.S.S. Public Relations Award for 2002, the National B.A.S.S. Special Tournament Award and Youth Award, both for 1998. The club is a 10-time winner of the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Club of the Year, and has won a total of 26 Southern Division B.A.S.S. awards since it was founded in 1985.

How did the club accomplish all this? We believe doing more than “just fishing” was the key! At its peak in recent years, Pigeon Valley Bassmasters had 70 club members—the largest club in western North Carolina. The price of gas has taken its toll on this 41-member bass club—as well as others throughout the country. But, thanks to its active publicity program, the club continues to grow by one to two new members a month.

The club’s publicity program is the key to its growth. Its public affairs program includes a monthly newsletter (News & Views), sent out in hard copy and electronically by e-mail to members. Also, its electronic press releases go out periodically to over 30 newspapers in some 36 counties, in the Carolinas, northeast Georgia and east Tennessee, reaching an estimated 2.1 million people. Consequently, the club won the national B.A.S.S. Publicity Award in 2004 due to submission of its “Yearbook” to the N.C. B.A.S.S. Federation and national B.A.S.S.

Jr. Bass Club
Members (at right) received matching long-sleeve shirts sporting the Pigeon Valley logo. Shown (from left) are: Amanda Godfrey, Jake Tomberlin, Colby Reagan, Clayton Crowhurst, Kolby

A few years ago, the club formed one of the first N.C. Junior Bass Clubs, and has had as many as a dozen youths participating. Currently, its 7-member Junior Bass Club elects its own officers, and holds its own tournaments. The Jr. Bass Club is spearheaded by Fred King; Colby Reagan, president; Kolby Stockton, vice-president; and Clayton Crowhurst, administrative assistant (and founding Jr. Bass Club president). We are proud of the participation of two daughters (Amanda and Ashley) of club member Steve Godfrey. All these young bass anglers are an inspiration to many in the adult club!

Amanda Godfrey (right) received JRBC “Angler of Year Award” from Clayton Crowhurst, JRBC President, in May 2005.

One of the most significant projects in which Pigeon Valley Bassmasters participates is their support of the Broyhill Children’s Home Christmas Party for 70-100 orphaned-underprivileged children each year. The Bass Club held its 19th Christmas Party for these children on December 12, attended by several hundred children and adults in the community. Funds are raised primarily through a benefit bass tournament held in the Spring (this year, April 8) out of Gap Hill, Lake Keowee, SC. Up to as many as 100 boatloads of anglers have participated in each fishing event. Also, businesses in the community donate door prizes for this benefit tournament, and cash donations are provided from generous people and businesses in Western Carolina. The Broyhill children dream up their “Wish Lists” in November, and Club members shop for each individualized gift--which are presented to the children at the Christmas Party in Clyde, NC. Over the years, this Bass Club’s Broyhill Christmas Party has touched the lives of an estimated 1,900 children (most of whom are grown now). Club members hope these young people are now fishing in bass clubs wherever they may be!

Two years ago, the Club formed its first Conservation Program—electing J.R. Blanton its first Conservation Chairman. The Club won the 2004 National Conservation Award based on its efforts to clean up access ramps and shorelines of all 13 Club tournaments fished throughout the year. In 2004, their 1,000-pound goal was exceeded; 1,152 lbs. were deposited in proper trash receptacles! In 2005, the Pigeon Valley Bassmasters “Trashmasters” deposited 1,011 lbs.—which no longer blight the 13 pristine lakes they fish in NC, SC and GA. The “Trashmasters” hand out over 100 empty trash bags each year to Club anglers before bass tournaments to prevent trash from polluting the lakes. Each August, the Conservation Chairman awards a special certificate for the Best Conservation Idea, including $100 (donated) check! The first winner was Eric Jeter, who suggested a tree and pallet-planting project in Asheville’s Lake Julian in cooperation with Progress Energy and local Wildlife officials. 2005 winner was Samuel (Ryan) Lance, who suggested the Club distribute empty trash bags at all future Broyhill Benefit Tournaments each Spring to be returned full of trash by participating anglers.

Pigeon Valley Bassmasters won the National Chapter of the Year and Conservation Awards for 2004 in June 2005.

Pigeon Valley Bassmasters invites anglers in NC, SC, GA and TN who wish to join a bass club that “does more than just fish,” to contact Mike Cairnes, Vice-President (828) 734-4766, Fred King, Junior Bass Club Director (828) 648-4113, or Pat Blanton, Club Secretary (828-884-2846).

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