N.H. BASS Federation Holds Annual Awards Banquet
January 17, 2004

The New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Federation held its annual awards banquet on Saturday evening, January 17, 2004. Over 200 Federation members and guests took a break from the chilling winter cold to step inside the ballroom at the elegant Sheraton Tara in Nashua to honor individual achievements from the past season, see old friends and dance the night away.

This year, the banquet began an hour early and as has become his custom, President Rob Frye was there early handing out long-stem roses to each of the ladies as they came through the door. Appetizers and cocktails were served between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and dinner in the main ballroom followed shortly thereafter. DJ Ernie Houle, back again by popular demand, spun the dinner music, which mostly consisted of light-hearted tropical tunes from the likes of Jimmy Buffett and Garth Brooks. Special guests were also in attendance and Federation Director Don Corcoran, Sandy Oja from Northern Bass Supply and the entire Rodonas Family of Casting Kids fame highlighted them.

President Frye acted as emcee for the evening and following dinner, turned the microphone over to returning Federation Director Don Corcoran. Don, up from B.A.S.S. headquarters in Alabama, in his usual eloquent manner, thanked the many Federation members in attendance for their hard work and expressed how important it was for small Federations like NH to continue to be active and support the goals of the overall Federation. Don claimed that he has been to many Banquets over the years, most in much bigger States, but said few were as well organized and well attended as ours.

Following speeches, it was time to recognize those individuals who shined in the past fishing season. Awards for State Team Members, who incidentally finished third at the Eastern Divisionals in Vermont, were passed out, individual club awards were also given out, as were the special awards for the season gone by. Recognizing all his hard work during the 2003 season, Rob Frye was named Federation Man of the Year and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Mark Anthony won the Club Angler of the Year award, Back Bay angler Scott Leppanen received the Federation Angler of the Year trophy, and Jim and Tyler Hanatow from Manadnock Bassmasters claimed the Team of the Year prize. The NH Hawg Hunters also took time to recognize three retiring members, Gary and Mona Storzbach and Sandy Flanders for their many contributions over 3 decades of Federation membership.

The Federation also chose to recognize and thank certain organizations and individuals that went above and beyond the call of duty to help the NH B.A.S.S. Federation in 2003. The Sponsor of the year went to J and D Screenprinting and Embroidery. The Sponsor Rep of the Year went to Mark Burgess of Skeeter Boats. The 2003 National Sponsor of the year was awarded to Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits.

Following the awards presentations, the rest of the evening was set aside for dancing and to give away several thousand dollars worth of raffle prizes. It was a fun evening for all, but all too soon, the clock struck midnight and this very successful event wound to a close. The NH B.A.S.S. Federation would like to thank all of the sponsors that donated prizes and have helped the Federation in the past year.