Page 7 - 2018 SEPT/OCT Outdoor Oklahoma

KIEFER JUNIORS BECOME
FISHING WORLD CHAMPS WWW.HIGHSCHOOLFISHING.ORG

Oklahoma’s Jeremy Tolle and Garrett Hale, Kiefer High School
juniors, took home scholarship prizes of $28,000 each to Bethel
University after winning the 2018 The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF)
High School Fishing World Finals on Pickwick Lake in Alabama.
The High School Fishing World Finals was open to any High
School Fishing team across the nation and was a four-day event
with 348 teams competing. On the fourth day, only 31 teams
remained. Tolle and Hale were determined the winners with the
heaviest final-day weight of 23 pounds, 9 ounces.
High school fishing clubs like the one at Kiefer High School
promote environmental responsibility, teach problem-solving,
help develop leadership and build on lifelong skills. TBF Student
Angler Federation is one of many organizations across the coun-
try aimed at getting students in the world of competitive fishing.
Like these after-school fishing programs, the Oklahoma Depart-
ment of Wildlife Conservation has made a major commitment to
educating youth on the sport of fishing. In 2011, the Oklahoma
Fishing in the Schools (OKFITS) Program was introduced to 50
schools across the state. The OKFITS program is geared towards The OKFITS program is an excellent platform to introduce
providing teachers with the training, curriculum and resources to students to fishing. Teachers looking to get involved with the
use in the classroom for introducing students to the sport of fishing. Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Education programs can visit
The number of schools participating in the OKFITS program the education page at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
has continued to grow, and 350 schools are now participating An after-school fishing club, such as the TBF Student Angler
in the program. Federation, is just the next step in getting students even more
Fishing is not the only outdoor skills program the Wildlife involved. Schools interested in starting an after-school fishing
Department is providing; it is one of many Outdoor Education club can find information through either the TBF Student
programs offered including Oklahoma National Archery in the Angler Federation or the Oklahoma B.A.S.S. Nation and can
Schools (OKNASP), Explore Bowhunting, Explore Bowfishing, reach out to the contacts below.
Hunter Education and the Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports TBF Student Angler Federation: info@highschoolfishing.org
Program. Hundreds of schools across the state are introducing Oklahoma B.A.S.S Nation Contact: Meleah Meadows,
outdoor skills in the classroom though the Department’s programs. mmead77@gmail.com

ANGLER BREAKS OWN RECORD FOR BROKEN BOW HYBRID

N
New state- or lake-record fish have been added to the Wild-ew state- or lake-record fish have been added to the Wild-
life Department’s official database in recent weeks. Here is a Broken Bow Record
life Department’s official database in recent weeks. Here is a
snapshot of the big ones that didn’t get away!
Striped Bass Hybrid
What’s the big-
gest fish you’ve ever Weight:
caught? A 7-pound 13 pounds.
largemouth, a 2-pound Length:
crappie or a 45-pound 30 inches.
blue catfish? While Girth:
your fish might not be 22.75 inches.
a new state record, it Angler:
possibly could be the biggest fish ever caught from your favorite Gary Bramlett of Pied-
lake. Thanks to a network of record-keepers at lakes across the mont. (He also held the
state, your next trophy could qualify as a lake record. previous lake record for
The Lake Record Fish Program was established as this species.)
a way to serve anglers and recognize big fish and the Method of Catch:
lakes they come from. To find out more, go online to Rod and reel.
wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/records.htm. Date Caught:
July 22, 2018.

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