Marble Falls named site of Texas High School Fishing State Championship in 2013, 2014
MARBLE FALLS — Lakes LBJ and Marble Falls have been selected as the sites of the 2013 and 2014 Texas High School Fishing State Championship, according to The Bass Federation.
“We’re shocked, elated,” Lorna Ellis, sponsor of the club located at Marble Falls High School, said Oct. 22. “I can’t even describe it. We started this in January of 2011. I feel like we reeled it out there and planted the seed through the grace of God and the generosity of the community.”
Marble Falls — one of the many cities on the banks of the Highland Lakes — is home to the largest high school club in the state with more than 30 anglers, officials said.
But Ellis said the event wouldn’t have come without the backing of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Bill Rives, as well as the Economic Development Corp. and Executive Director Christian Fletcher.
That’s because local officials had to guarantee $6,000 for the Bass Federation travel trailer and several hotel rooms for the staff, Ellis said.
She also praised local business owners for pitching in.
River City Grille owner Paul Brady will host a dinner buffet on the first night. The student anglers will compete the next day and enjoy a barbecue at Johnson Park. The weekend will end with a boat captain Texas shootout tournament and Sunday brunch.
The state championship drew 21 boats in 2011 and 42 in May 2012. Each boat has two student anglers and a boat captain.
“We anticipate this easily will bring 60 boats,” Ellis said.
The state championship was conducted on Lake Lavon outside of Allen the last two years. But Ellis said it made more sense to have the championship in a central location, so that most teams don’t have to travel quite so far.
Her son, Austin, is a junior at Faith Academy and a member of the high school team.
“I’m just overwhelmed, still at the pinch-me stage,” Lorna Ellis said. “This couldn’t be more perfect. We have pulled off a major coup.”