The Tennessee Bass Federation has a couple of reasons to be very proud these days. The first reason is Daniel Ellis from Gleason, Tennessee. Daniel finished in first place in the Southern Division at the Federation National Championship in Branson, Missouri in March. As a result of his finish in the FNC, Daniel qualified to fish the BFL All American Tournament on 5/28/09 - 5/30/09 in the Mississippi River Pools 14-17 out of Sunset Park in Davenport, Iowa.

Daniel’s journey started two years ago at the Tennessee Bass Federation Western State Tournament out of Paris Landing in 2007. He qualified for the Tennessee Bass Federation State Team that fished at Lake Norman in June of 2008. His first place finish on Tennessee’s State Team sent Daniel to Bull Shoals Lake and the Federation National Championship this year. As a result of a lot of hard work in pre-tournament practice and preparation, Daniel now has the opportunity to fish for a $100,000 first place prize in the All American Tournament. We want to wish Daniel the best of luck and if he finishes first in the All American, he will get to fish in the one million dollar Forrest Wood Cup Tournament in August. What a great opportunity that comes from fishing with a couple of great organizations (TBF, Inc and FLW Outdoors)!

The second reason for our Federation to be proud is a young man that is a part of our Tennessee Bass Federation Junior Bass Clubs. Boyd Crofton of the High Forest Junior Bass Club has received and accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Boyd actually had his choice of attending the Air Force Academy or the Naval Academy. Boyd is a pilot and I’m sure he wants to fly those Navy jets when the opportunity comes. If all our service men and women have Boyd’s character and dedication, our country will be well protected and served in the future. We are so proud of Boyd for his accomplishments at Lewis County High School and the awards he has received. Boyd’s parents are Joel and Debbie Crofton of Hohenwald, Tennessee and they are extremely happy that Boyd received an appointment at the Naval Academy. I’m sure Joel will find something to do with all the money he’s going to save on Boyd’s college education. I would like to think that Boyd’s resume was enhanced by his membership in the Tennessee Bass Federation’s Junior Club Program. I’ve started to record some of the fishing shows and watch them when I get an opportunity. Just the other day I watched a couple of fishing shows (Hank Parker and Babe Winkleman) and guess what they were doing. Each host took a young person fishing. Hank carried his cameraman’s son and Babe took two children fishing with him. It seems like a lot of people are beginning to understand the importance of passing it on to another generation.

Junior State Championship:

New Johnsonville, Tennessee and Kentucky Lake will play host to the Tennessee Bass Federation Junior State Tournament this year. Each Tennessee Bass Federation Junior Club has the ability to send a six person team to compete this year. Registration will be held at the JERRA Building at New Johnsonville on Friday, June 5 with the tournament on Saturday, June 6. Details of the tournament and registration can be found on the Tennessee Bass Federation website (www.tnbass.com). You may also contact Bruce Greig, Tennessee Bass Federation State Youth Director for more information. Bruce’s contact information can be found at www.tnbass.com.

Yamaha Dealers to Carry Turbo® Propellers

Yamaha Marine Group announced it will market Precision Propeller Industries, Inc.’s (PPI) “Turbo®” line of propellers, through Yamaha marine dealers nationwide.

Yamaha purchased the assets of PPI in 2008 and has been investing in the company and its processes ever since. Though PPI’s Turbo line existed prior to the purchase, Yamaha’s marketing and sales initiatives promise to increase distribution for the line and offer additional products for boaters, just as demand for parts and accessories is increasing.

“Boaters today are more likely to buy parts and accessories for their current boat than buy a new boat and outboard,” said John Rigsby, Yamaha Marine Group National Sales Manager. “With the Turbo propeller line, Yamaha dealers can now offer a full suit of propellers -- something for almost any type of boat on the water.” The Turbo propeller line consists of more than 200 different polished stainless steel propellers appropriate for applications ranging from 18 to 400 horsepower. There are eight four-blade families and eight three-blade families in the line. Most feature the Guardian Square Lok hub system that matches most outboard and stern drive applications.

Turbo propellers are built for all major market segments including bass boats, stern-drive boats, aluminum boats, offshore boats bay, boats and flats boats. They come with a lifetime limited warranty from PPI, Inc. that covers materials and workmanship. For more information, please visit www.turbo-props.com.

Plano Tackle Systems :

Sponsor of Clay Dyer, FLW Touring ProClay Dyer of Hamilton Alabama, a member of Plano’s Pro Team, a pro fisherman on the FLW Tour, a motivational speaker across the nation and an assistant coach for the Hamilton High School Aggies football team, has hosted TV shows and teaches a number of fishing seminars each year. Clay will tell us how and why he became a Plano pro.

Question: Clay, how long have you been on Plano’s Pro Staff? Dyer: I’ve been a member of the Plano Pro Staff for 11 years. The company was one of my first sponsors.

Question: Why do you like Plano tackle boxes? Dyer: As a touring-pro fisherman, I have to carry a lot of tackle to every tournament in which I compete. To fish as efficiently as I can, I want my tackle to be organized. Then I don’t have to spend time looking for a particular lure I want to fish with during practice or competition. Because of the various tackle-box systems Plano produces, I have many-different ways I can organize my tackle and lures. I can organize my weights from the tiniest split shot to a 1-ounce sinker and know exactly where every weight I may need is located in the box. Too, I can organize my lures by depth and color.

Question: How does a guy with no hands and only a partial arm use a tackle box?

Dyer: I need to be able to get into my boxes quickly and easily using my teeth, without the edges of the latches cutting my mouth. Too, I need strong latches on my tackle boxes, so when I drop one, it doesn’t burst open and throw all my lures, weights and hooks on the ground. Because I don’t have any hands, I occasionally do drop my tackle boxes. Therefore, I need a really-tough tackle box because I’m so rough on them. If a tackle box is tough enough to pass the Dyer test, it’s tough enough for all fishermen. Oftentimes, I’ll drop my boxes on concrete boat ramps or asphalt parking lots when I’m transferring them to and from my boat and truck. My Plano boxes never have spilled open or broken.

Question: Which Plano tackle box do you use the most? Dyer: I use the ProLatch Stowaway box more than any other box. I use some of the Guide Series boxes to Too, I like the shelving systems to organize my tackle in my shop in my garage.

Question: How did you start working with Plano? Dyer: I met Jesse Simpkins, Plano’s marketing director, many years ago, and told him how much I liked Plano, and how long I’d been using Plano tackle boxes. I told him what I was doing and hoped to do in the future. Simpkins, like my other sponsors, believed in me and thought I’d be a good representative for the Plano Molding Company.

Question: Why would you recommend Plano tackle boxes to other fishermen?

Dyer: The boxes are tough and durable, and they can withstand rain, sleet, snow and blistering-hot sun. The Plano boxes also lockdown tight and seal very well. Plano even makes waterproof tackle boxes. When you use one of the waterproof tackle boxes, even in a driving rain, you won’t get moisture in your box, which can cause your hooks to rust. The boxes without waterproof liners are also extremely effective in protecting my lures and not allowing them to rust.

Question: How do you put lures into and take them out of your tackle box without any hands? Dyer: I hold a pair of needle-nosed pliers in my mouth and use the pliers to pick up the lures. Question: How do you tie lures onto your line? Dyer: I place the lure on the bend of my partial arm, put the line in my mouth and tie the knot with my tongue and my lips. Once I’ve got the knot tied, I move the bait, so the point of the hook is sticking in the end of my arm. Then I use my mouth to pull the line tight against the lure.

Question: You mean you’re pulling the line and the point of the hook into your partial arm? Dyer: Yes, that’s right. The point of the hook usually sticks me, and I bleed every time, but that’s the price I’ll pay to be a professional fisherman and compete on the national FLW circuit.

Question: What knot do you tie? Dyer: I tie either the Palomar knot or the San Diego clinch. About 90% of the time, I tie the San Diego clinch knot. Question: What tours do you fish? Dyer: I fish the FLW Tour and the FLW Series.

We want to thank Plano for being a long time sponsor for the Tennessee Bass Federation and for their support for an outstanding young man, Clay Dyer.

Charlie’s Kitchen:

Cast Iron Cookware Tips

Seasoning Cast Iron Skillets and Cookware:

You should always \"season\" your cast iron cookware before using for the first time.

1. Wash your cast iron in warm sudsy water and rinse well.

2. Make sure to dry the cast iron very well.

3. Take a paper towel and coat the entire skillet or pan with lard. (inside and out) It is best not to use vegetable oil as that will make your cast iron sticky.

4. Place in a preheated oven at 300° oven for one hour.

5. Remove and wipe off any excess grease with a new paper towel. Put the pan back in the oven and bake for another hour.

Washing Cast Iron Cookware:

Never wash you cast iron in the dishwasher!

After cooking in your cast iron, rinse in warm water. You may use a small amount of soap but harsh scrubbing and detergents will remove the seasoning. If for any reason your food is sticking to the pan and you have to scrub or you have rust in your cookware, re-season your pan.

After you have rinsed the skillet or pan well, set on a hot burner for a minute to make sure all water is gone. Let cool on burner and store as usual. Cast Iron Cooking:

After many uses, you cast iron skillet or pans will turn black. This is a good thing! This means you will now have a non- stick surface to cook in.