The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

This weekend Bridge City Middle School eighth graders Riley Harris and Evan Champagne competed in the 2012 BASS Federation Nation Youth State Championship Fishing Tournament.

Riley and Evan qualified to compete with 40 other young Anglers from around the state of Texas in the tournament held in Del Rio , Texas on Lake Amistad. Youth Anglers in this tournament are required to draw a boater just like adults. The boys must do everything for themselves from running the trolling motor, knowing what locations of the lake they want to fish and netting their own catch. They fish several other youth tournaments as well to earn their way to the championship.

Although, they didn’t bring home the big trophy this year the boys did an amazing job. Riley Harris weighed in four fish for a total of 8.96 pounds and placed 17th overall. This is Riley’s second trip to the state tournament. Evan Champagne made his first debut at the state tournament weighing in one nice fish at 2.02 pounds and had a chance to weigh in for “big bass.” Both boys said that fishing was tough on Lake Amistad on Sunday.

Although it was a beautiful day, they had to contend with the wind. Both boys stated they put 15 to 20 fish in the boat but it was hard getting some nice size keepers. Riley had one he felt would have been a five pounder swim into some under water tree branches and he lost it. Of course that catch could have put him at the top.

Evan broke off a nice one as well but “that’s fishing” both boys agreed. Riley and Evan both look to fish the FLW high school series next year as they enter Bridge City High School. They have set goals to earn a spot on a college fishing team after graduation.