2020 Fishing is Fun! in Nebraska tournament season results
The Nebraska Walleye Association Kids Fishing Clinics Charity, Inc. sponsored four tournaments for the 2020 season. The first and second were held at Calamus Reservoir near Burwell, NE. The third and fourth were held at Lewis & Clark Reservoir near Crofton, NE. These tournaments are a ‘tournament within a tournament’, as they are held during a Nebraska Walleye Association member tournament weekend. The only entry required to fish in these tournaments is to be entered in the NWA Tournament and to volunteer at the kids fishing clinic held at the tournament site.
This year due to Nebraska COVID restrictions we were in danger of not being able to have any tournaments or conduct a kids clinic. But thankfully some regions of the State were not impacted greatly and the tournaments with the clinics were permitted. The clinic participation was limited and only 45 kids were able to learn how to fish.
This organization is a 501 (c) (3) public charity that promotes fishing education and conservation in Nebraska to over 2000 youth annually. Fishing is Fun! is the catch phrase used to conduct 15-20 kids fishing clinics across the state; including special needs clinics. Each participant receives hands on fishing instruction from state certified volunteers and is given a free rod/reel/tackle box combination to take home for fishing. Again sadly this year only 45 kids were able to participate.
Totally different types of fisheries and weather patterns presented challenges for the tournament teams and on all days the winning teams used different presentations to overcome that.
The overall top three team finishers after this four tournament format are: Mike Woerth/James Paul, Jason Hettler/Taylor Vanis, and Bill McGannon/Brian Hunke.
Congratulations to these teams and they will be offered the opportunity to fish in the 2021 NTC on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay Michigan.
A big thanks to all who make: Fishing is Fun! in Nebraska.
Rich McShane, President
NWA Fishing is Fun!
