2011 Fed Nation Championship contenders

For the past year, states have been sending their best teams to Bassmaster Federation Nation Divisionals, where the top competitor for each state has earned an invitation to fish in the 2011 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship presented by Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats. Now, Nov. 3-5 on the Ouachita River in Monroe, La., these 54 anglers will compete to be the best in their division. The best angler from each of the six regions will battle reigning champ Kevin VanDam and other top anglers for the Bassmaster Classic trophy in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., in February 2012.

Carlo Alberto-Tenchini is traveling to Louisiana from Verona, Italy, to compete in the Northern Division. He is a marketing director by trade and a member of the Bass Clan. His sponsors are Molix and Lowrance.

Beau Branine is fishing for his home state of Kansas in the Central Division. The Haysville angler fishes in the Chisholm Trail Bass Club and is a heavy equipment operator. Mesu Bait sponsors him.

Tony Choe qualified for the BFNC by earning Angler of the Year honors on the Paralyzed Veterans of America tour. Choe works as a civil service officer and lives in Fairfax Station, Va. He’ll be fishing in the Mid-Atlantic Division representing his sponsors, PVA (National Chapter and Mid-Atlantic Chapter), Minn Kota/Humminbird, Tracker Marine/Bass Pro and Bruno.

Brian Christianson of La Crosse, Wis., will fish for Wisconsin in the Northern Division. The network engineer is a member of the River Road Bassmasters. He is sponsored by Brovarney Baits, Power Pro Fishing Line, Elk River Custom Rods and Futurebass.com.

George Cooper, a member of the Southern Maine Anglers, will compete in the Eastern Division. The mechanical engineer lives in Buxton, Maine. He is representing the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and is also sponsored by it.

Mike Cumberledge of Virginia Beach, Va., will represent his state in the Mid-Atlantic Division. He is a construction superintendent/mechanical contractor, and he’s a member of the Back Bay Bassmasters of Virginia Beach. Cumberledge’s sponsors are Triton, Mercury, Lowrance, MotorGuide, Skeeter Boats and Yamaha.

Destre DeDeaux, a pipeliner from Meadville, Miss., will fish in the Central Division for Mississippi. DeDeaux is a member of the Okhissa Casters, and his sponsors are Whack Um Baits, Foster & Son LLC and Pipeline Resources.

Craig Denham of Fenlon Falls, Ontario, is a cabinet maker and a member of Lindsay Bassmasters. The Canadian resident will represent his province in the Eastern Division.

John Diaco is a manufacturing engineer from Rochester, N.H. He fishes with the Lakes Region club. He’ll compete in the Eastern Division for New Hampshire.

Stephen Dyer is member of the Southfork Bassmasters. The land surveyor lives in Mount Pleasant, N.C., and will compete in the Southern Division on behalf of his state. He is sponsored by Legend Boats, Boater’s Marine in Monroe, N.C., True South Custom Lures and Koyote Fishing Tackle.

Aaron Echternkamp of Moses Lake, Wash., is a hunting and fishing guide, as well as a member of the Tri-City River Runners. He’ll fish for Washington in the Western Division. Echternkamp is sponsored by Berkley, G.Loomis, Shimano and Nixon’s Marine.

Don Edmonds is retired owner of a hunting and fishing club. He fishes with the Golden State Bass Club and will represent California in the Western Division. His sponsors include Skeeter, Yamaha, MotorGuide, Mercury, Triton, Federation Alliance, Blade Runner Tackle, Toyota Trucks, Catchem Caro Custom Baits, Uncle Bob, California B.A.S.S. Federation, Golden State Bass Club, Captain Jack’s Jigs and Evan Williams Bourbon.

Nicholas Fitzsimmons lives in Lyle, Wash., but will be fishing for Oregon in the Western Division. He’s a telecommunications project manager and a member of the Columbia River Bassmasters. He is sponsored by Mycom and North Fork Composites.

Paul Gietka is a Breakaway Bassmasters member from Abingdon, Md. He’ll be competing for his state in the Mid-Atlantic Division. The mechanical engineer is sponsored by the Maryland B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.

Boyd Golightly lives in Preston, Idaho, but he’ll represent Wyoming in the Western Division. Golightly is the owner of Flood & Fire Restoration LLC and a member of the Cache Valley Bassmasters.

Jeff Green of Gaffney, S.C., fishes with the Young Guns. He’ll compete for South Carolina in the Southern Division. He is a lineman by trade, and he is sponsored by the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and Toyota Bonus Bucks.

Jamie Hartman is a truck driver from Newport, N.Y. He fishes for the New York B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and will represent his state in the Eastern Division. His sponsors are Power Team Lures, Owner, Lake Ontario Outdoors and Fish NY.

Greg Heindselman is a resident of Lewiston, Mo., but he’ll be representing the state of Illinois at the championship. The Quincy B.A.S.S. Anglers member will fish in the Northern Division. Heindselman is an electrical supervisor, and he lists Overhead Door of Quincy as a sponsor.

Jamie Horton is a member of the River Region Bass Fraternity. The project manager lives in Centreville, Ala., and will represent his state in the Southern Division. His sponsors are Triton, Mercury, MotorGuide, NetBait, Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and Burkes Mechanical.

Tom Jessop, a cattle buyer from Dalhart, Texas, will represent his state in the Central Division. Jessop is a member of the Tip Top bass club.

Jeff Jones, a plumbing contractor from Marietta, Ga., will compete in the Southern Division for his home state. He’s a member of the West Georgia Bass Hunters. He’s sponsored by Deep South Rods, Cullbuddy, JJ’s Magic, BTS, NetBait, Tracker Marine, Line and Lure and Ol-Nelle Lures.

Thomas Keifer is a member of the Michigan Bass Masters, and he’ll compete on Michigan’s behalf in the Northern Division. Keifer is a high school teacher, and he has lined up several sponsors: Pro Angler Plastics, Lowrance, Mercury, Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, MotorGuide, Michigan Bass Masters and his family.

Gerald Kimzey of Willcox, Ariz., works as a material distribution lead. He fishes with Sea Bass and will represent Arizona in the Western Division. He is sponsored by Ardent Reels, Phenix Rods, Persuader Baits, McCoy Fishing Line, Bandit Lures, TTI-Blakemore, Leverage Landing Nets, Tungstenweights.com, Kempton Chevrolet and Catalina Marina.

Pat Klausen will fish in the Central Division for Nebraska. The electrical project manager/estimator lives in Lincoln and is in the Fort Kearney club.

Aaron Leon is a member of the NV Bassanglers. He’s from Henderson, Nev., and will represent his home state in the Western Division. Leon is a low voltage technician by trade.

Andrew MacColl of Chepachet, R.I., is a member of the Bass Stalkers. The project manager/estimator will compete in the Eastern Division for Rhode Island. Tarbox Toyota of North Kingstown, R.I., is sponsoring MacColl.

Heath Martin of Louisville, Ky., is in the business of plumbing sales. A member of the Bottomline Bassmasters, Martin will represent Kentucky in the Southern Division. His sponsors are Renegade Marine, Prowler Lures, Kentucky B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Plumbers Supply Co., Jiffy Lube, Signo Now, Webers Boat Storage and Team BOB.

Ed McCaw, a member of the Southwest Colorado Bassmasters, is a resource conservationist. The Ignacio, Colo., resident will represent his state in the Western Division.

Matt McCoy of Indianapolis will represent Indiana in the Northern Division. The machinist is a member of the Cataract Hawg Stickers.

Rich McCrone III is a construction mechanic in Cream Ridge, N.J. He fishes for the Five Alive Bassmasters and will compete for New Jersey in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

Bryan McNeal of Enon, Ohio, is in commercial sales. The Catchem Bassmasters member will fish for Ohio in the Northern Division. His sponsors are Baker Krizner Financial Planning, Stuckey & Associates Inc., Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide, Lowrance and the Ohio B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.

Jared Miller is an oil and gas lease broker in Norman, Okla. He fishes with the North Oklahoma City Bassmasters and will represent his state in the Central Division. Texhoma Land Consultants is backing him.

Chris Morrison of St. Marys, W.Va., fishes for the Frontier Bassmasters in Belpre, Ohio. The ironworker will compete for West Virginia in the Mid-Atlantic Division. He is sponsored by his club and by Polymer Services in Marietta, Ohio.

Andrew Nitchals is a poker player, and his bluffs might come in handy at the championship. Nitchals is from Willmar, Minn., where he’s a member of the West Central Bassmasters. He’ll fish for Minnesota in the Northern Division. His sponsors are the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, West Central Bassmasters, Skeeter and Yamaha.

Jason Pecoraro doesn’t have far to travel to get to the championship; the Louisiana resident will make the four-hour journey from his home of Youngsville to Monroe, where he’ll represent his state in the Central Division. Pecoraro is a project manager, and he’s a member of the Atchafalaya Bassmasters.

Mark Pierce of Clarksville, Tenn., is in U.S. Army Special Operations. He fishes for the Montgomery County Bass Club, and he’ll compete for Tennessee in the Southern Division. He is backed by ECO Pro Tungsten, St. Croix Rods, Gamma, Mercury, Abu Garcia and the Night Stalker Association.

Josh Polfer is a project manager in Nampa, Idaho. The Payette River Bassmasters member will fish for Idaho in the Western Division. His sponsors are Nixon’s Marine, Team Daiwa, Howard’s Tackle, Kamakazee Baits, Dry Creek Bait Co., Big O Tires, Boise, Idaho, and Fairview.

Chris Price lives in Church Hill, Md., but will compete on behalf of Delaware in the Mid-Atlantic Division. He fishes with the Del Mar Bass Trackers and is a roofing contractor by trade. Owner Hooks is sponsoring him.

Tom Reynolds is a boat dealer from Lyme, Conn., and he fishes for Team Skeeter. He’ll represent Connecticut in the Eastern Division. Reynolds is sponsored by Daiwa, Toads’ Tackle Shack, Reynolds’ Garage & Marine, Cappy Custom Rods, Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Northern BASS Supply, Owner, Humminbird and Minn Kota.

Jesse Reynolds fishes for the Muscatine Bass Masters in Muscatine, Iowa. He’ll represent his home state in the Northern Division. Reynolds is a mechanical engineer by trade.

Edward Robak of Weymourd, Mass., is a regional engineer by trade. He’s a member of the Mass Bass Busters and will represent his state in the Eastern Division.

Edgar Romero of Hidalgo, Texas, will represent Mexico in the Central Division. He’s an automotive mechanical engineer and a member of Bass Centro. He has several sponsors, including Ranger Boats, Pro Angler Marine, Lowrance, Pesca Motor Sports, Yamaha, AutoCheck, Tarantula Lures and Gears Jerseys.

Jared Roos lives in paradise (that is, Paradise, Utah) and will fish for Utah in the Western Division. He is a street department crew chief, and his club is Team Bass Utah. He is sponsored by Dry Creek Outfitters.

Jay Salisbury fishes with the Cortez Bassmasters. He lives in Aztec, N.M., and is retired. He’ll compete for New Mexico in the Western Division, and he lists St. Croix Rods and Culprit Lures as his sponsors.

Todd Serfoss, a delivery driver, lives in Bath, S.D. He fishes with the Brandon Bass Club and will compete on South Dakota’s behalf in the Northern Division. He is sponsored by South Dakota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Triton, Mercury, Lowrance, MotorGuide, Plano, Pro Patterns, Cabela’s, Evan Williams and Toyota.

Scott Sirakos of Houston, Pa., fishes with Bass Extremes. The locksmith/door installer will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Division for Pennsylvania. His sponsors include Death Shimmer Spinnerbaits, Pennsylvania B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Powell Rods and A+ Doorman.

Skip Sjobeck is in antique clock sales and repair in Randolph, Vt. He fishes with Just For Fun Bass Anglers, and he’ll fish for Vermont in the Eastern Division. He is sponsored by the Vermont B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Skip’s Clock Shop and X-Zone Lures.

Michael Smith is a college student and member of the Hub City Bassmasters. The Laurel Hill, Fla., resident will compete in the Southern Division.

Curtis Spindler, a member of Big Sky Bassers, will represent Montana in the Western Division. The sales manager lives in Missoula, Mont., and is sponsored by the Montana B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Big Sky Bassers, the Federation Nation Alliance and Simms.

Daniel Stark of Eldon, Mo., is a member of Simply BASS. He’ll be fishing in the Central Division for his state. His sponsors are Gamakatsu, Quantum, Cajun Line, Worden Lures, Zebco, Culprit, Live Target and Burris Scopes.

Takuya Wakebe will represent his home country of Japan at the championship, making his way from the prefecture of Kanagawakenn. He is a member of Bass of Japan, Syounann Bassmasters, and he is sponsored by several Japanese manufacturers. He’ll fish in the Western Division.

Darren Thornton of Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe, will cross the Atlantic Ocean to fish in the Mid-Atlantic Division for his home country. Thornton is an importer by trade and a member of Matbass. His sponsors are Kistler Rods, El Grande Lures and Bandit Lures.

Justy Varkevisser will make the trek all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa, to fish in the championship. He’ll be representing his country in the Southern Division. Varkevisser is the owner/director of a cosmetic glass supply company. The Western Bassmasters member has several sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury, Kistler Rods, Windy Day Agencies, El Grande Lures and the South African B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.

Josh Wray of Omaha, Ark., will fish for his home state in the Central Division. He’s a residential home contractor and a member of the Green Forest Bass Club.