Thirty One TSBA members tried their luck at the 2004 StriperBowl. It was a great day and the weather was great! The fish however decided to enjoy the sunshine and fast for the day. Only 5 fish were brought to the scales. Two were Stripers and the other three were Hybrids. The trophy went home with Toney Stevens of Lake City. Toney weighed in one Striper and one Hybrid for a total of 21 pounds. Lisa Mann-Osborne weighed in two hybrids totaling 14.4 pounds. She took 2nd place which she received a StriperBowl t-shirt for. Phillip McClanahan weighed in one striper at 13.8 pounds.
Twenty TSBA members converged upon the Super 8 Motel in Morristown on April 17th for the TSBA Annual StriperBowl Tailgate Party! There were three StriperBowl cakes and soda drinks for everyone. The sunshine made for a nice evening of fish stories from the past and predictions of the future winner of the StriperBowl. The winners of the poetry contest were announced by Ezell Cox, our judge! Allan Franklin won the poetry contest and a $30 gift certificate to Red Lobster. Amy Stevens won 2nd place and a $15 gift certificate to Red Lobster. Scott "Skeeter" Copeland was awarded Honorable Mention for his poem about the shad. The winners read their poems out loud to the crowd. Congratulations to all and a big thank you to those who joined in the fun!
At the Tailgate Party Allan Franklin was honored for his efforts on behalf of the Kids Fishing Day event. He was given a plaque to announce the renaming of the Kids Fishing Day to the Tennessee Striped Bass Association Allan Franklin Annual Kids Fishing Day. Allan was very pleased with this and the club is grateful to Allan for all he has done to oversee this very important event.
The StriperBowl proceeds of $310.00 plus the donations made by TSBA members, Teddy Karagias, Tom Elmore and the "Buckeye Bunch" will afford many nice things for the Kids Fishing Day on June 6th. Thank you all for attending and for those generous contributions to this worth while event.
2004 Winning Poems
1st Place: Allan Franklin
Well its time for Striperbowl
2004
and its time to even the score
In 2000 David won it first
which made me thirst
In 2001 it was Pat's time
which it should have been mine
In 2002 it was Larry
which is really scary
In 2003 it was Bob
which made me sob
Now it is Striperbowl 2004
and I want it even more
Only time will tell
that I got that great striper by the tale
What is that I am hearing
it is all the stripers cheering
Hip Hip Hurray Hip Hip Hurray
What a wonderful day
Striperallan is in his place
he has the trophy in first place
I feel sorry for Ezell
he caught the little one by the tale
as for David, Pat, Larry and Bob
all they can do is sob
As for Amy and Toney
your fish will very boney
so come donate your money
to the youth striper tourney
This just names a few
I hope its not the whole crew
because the more we get
the better the kids will be set
For this is why we have the Striperbowl
to make the prizes for the kids grow
so if you think this is neat
come fish the Striperbowl and get beat.
Your striper friend Allan
Amy Stevens 2nd Place:
"And
They Say It's Only a Trophy...."
This isn’t about just fishin’
Or winning a trophy, it’s more
It’s all about the Striper Bowl,
Two thousand and four
Who’s gonna win it?
That’s all the talk will be
C’mon everyone
After all
It’s only a TROPHY!!
The braggin’ rights that go with it,
Are all anyone truly needs.
Just ask the previous winners
Where all of this can lead…....
Didn’t I see your picture, Robert
On the cover of Newsweek?
Or was I just mistaken
And you shunned all the publicity?
The TSBA newsletter will fill
With pictures and stats galore
The winner will take the spotlight
As we line up on the shore!
Mark you calendars to attend this very great day
It will be just one of many
For the TSBA
Now listen closely
For this is what I have to say...
Soon fishing boats will descend upon
The great state
of Tennessee
Everyone hoping that they will be
The winner of the Striper Bowl
Trophy.
My boat will be the Great White Hunter
A mighty fishing vessel I know
I’ll have my shad and be prepared
I’ll be more than ready to go!
As I search for Stripers high and low
Don’t follow close along
Where I am headed
Only true winners
Belong
This cannot include you
For the trophy will be mine!
Robert, please polish it up nicely
Give it a good shine!
Don’t stare too closely when you see my rod bend
You’ll get to see MY big catch
At the end!
Please understand I in no way mean to offend.
If you can’t take the pressure
Then I suggest you DON'T ATTEND!
I know you think the braggin' has begun
But I am only out
To have a bit of fun!
The pressures on,
We’re all under the gun
Relax, it will be over
As soon as I’ve won!
This is only the beginning of OUR fun!
April 18th will be MY day in the sun!
I know this will make y’all want to try
So poets come on
Now let those words fly
Start writing those poems and then we will see
If any of you
Are better poets
Then me!
Honorable Mention: Scott "Skeeter" Copeland
"What
About Us Shad?"
There's one simple question,
That we'd like to raise...
How come it's the Striper,
That always gets the praise?
What about us Shad?
When fishin', glad ya got 'em!
We can't help our "food-chain" spot
Is somewhere near the bottom!
Respect is something we don't get.
No One shows us love.
Fish will catch us from below,
And throw nets from above!
Nobody likes the way we taste,
Nor the way we smell!
We never are the subject,
Of stories that you tell!
Not prestigious, like the Striper,
We know where we rait!
Seldom called by our real name,
Just simply known as "Bait"!
There are certain days we dread,
When throw nets take their toll!
Like when all of you show up,
To fish that StriperBowl!
By the dozens, we end up,
swimming in your tanks!
Just to help you catch a fish,
Do we get any thanks???
As if that wasn't bad enough...
And this part REALLY BLOWS!
Yall take one of them circle hooks,
And stick it in our nose!
Then you drop us overboard,
While you take a seat.
And wait so ever patiently,
Hoping we'll get eat!
And when you catch that Striper,
Please don't forget the Shad...
For he had alot to do,
With all the fun you had!
And if you're getting tired,
Of the mess we leave behind,
Go buy some artificial stuff...
We promise, we won't mind!
We wish good luck, to all of you,
We hope you catch a bunch!
We're just glad it won't be us,
That ends up as your lunch!!!
<"##>< Skeeter