Nation: Folds of Honor Banquet in Monroe

Competitors, presidents and youth directors gather for the Folds of Honor banquet at Bayou Landing.

Anglers and their families are filtering into the Bayou Landing for some fellowship and food the night before the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship kicks off in the morning on Ouachita River our of Monroe, Louisiana.
Anglers and their families are filtering into the Bayou Landing for some fellowship and food the night before the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship kicks off in the morning on Ouachita River our of Monroe, Louisiana.
The Bayou Landing is a super cool venue for events and banquets.
The Bayou Landing is a super cool venue for events and banquets.
A handful of B.A.S.S. staff is here to make things happen.
A handful of B.A.S.S. staff is here to make things happen.
A Shimano-wrapped truck and boat are on display.
A Shimano-wrapped truck and boat are on display.
Sweet ride!
Sweet ride!
Two buses cart the group of anglers and families around Monroe, La.
Two buses cart the group of anglers and families around Monroe, La.
As everyone filters into Bayou Landing, they pass the coveted trophy and a few tables of killer swag.
As everyone filters into Bayou Landing, they pass the coveted trophy and a few tables of killer swag.
All eyes right here.
All eyes right here.
Swag...
Swag…
Swag continued...
Swag continued…
Lines of hungry and eager anglers await access to the dining room before the banquet kicks off.
Lines of hungry and eager anglers await access to the dining room before the banquet kicks off.
Lots of great people, lots of cool stuff and lots of good food coming right up.
Lots of great people, lots of cool stuff and lots of good food coming right up.
A private event to celebrate the B.A.S.S. Nation's top 59 anglers.
A private event to celebrate the B.A.S.S. Nation’s top 59 anglers.
Fellowship happening here, one of the best parts of tournament bass fishing.
Fellowship happening here, one of the best parts of tournament bass fishing.
You can feel the anticipation growing.
You can feel the anticipation growing.
Are they telling stories, sharing secrets or lies?
Are they telling stories, sharing secrets or lies?
Big thanks to Old Milwaukee to being season-long title sponsor!
Big thanks to Old Milwaukee to being season-long title sponsor!
Boat full of beer...
Boat full of beer…
Pop a top.
Pop a top.
The anglers are seated in groups of families and friends awaiting an introduction from B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
The anglers are seated in groups of families and friends awaiting an introduction from B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
Good eats are filling the room with a pleasant aroma.
Good eats are filling the room with a pleasant aroma.
Still covered, but attractive.
Still covered, but attractive.
Interesting creature comforts on the walls of Bayou Landing.
Interesting creature comforts on the walls of Bayou Landing.
Jon Stewart about to give the speech.
Jon Stewart about to give the speech.
The iconic B.A.S.S. mic.
The iconic B.A.S.S. mic.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin and Jon Stewart prepare for event introductions.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin and Jon Stewart prepare for event introductions.
Danny Ryan, Tim Johnston and Albert Collins take a second for a photo before supper.
Danny Ryan, Tim Johnston and Albert Collins take a second for a photo before supper.
Bruce Akin, Kimber and Paul Mueller and Jon Stewart seem to be enjoying the evening.
Bruce Akin, Kimber and Paul Mueller and Jon Stewart seem to be enjoying the evening.
Massachusetts' Dave Andrews hangs with PVA competitor Jack Barber.
Massachusetts’ Dave Andrews hangs with PVA competitor Jack Barber.
Kieron Samkin, Brent Shores, Larry Triplett, Bruce Cooke and Alec Williams are enjoying some camaraderie.
Kieron Samkin, Brent Shores, Larry Triplett, Bruce Cooke and Alec Williams are enjoying some camaraderie.
Matthew McArdle and Josh Bensema of Texas A&M are lucky to be hanging out with the one and only B.A.S.S. Nation Editor Tyler Wade.
Matthew McArdle and Josh Bensema of Texas A&M are lucky to be hanging out with the one and only B.A.S.S. Nation Editor Tyler Wade.
Preston Frazell, Levi McNeill and Chad Shutty are ready to eat.
Preston Frazell, Levi McNeill and Chad Shutty are ready to eat.
Samuele Ferroni, Cesar Pecellin, Michael McMahon and Joaquim Moio are learning about new cultures and foreign bass fisheries.
Samuele Ferroni, Cesar Pecellin, Michael McMahon and Joaquim Moio are learning about new cultures and foreign bass fisheries.
Nick Leonard and George Barnes and family and friends pose for a photo.
Nick Leonard and George Barnes and family and friends pose for a photo.
Jackie Stanford, president of the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation, discusses practice and tomorrow's anticipations.
Jackie Stanford, president of the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation, discusses practice and tomorrow’s anticipations.
Greg Vance from Iowa sits with friends awaiting supper to begin.
Greg Vance from Iowa sits with friends awaiting supper to begin.
<p>George Barnes is looking good, as usual...</p>
George Barnes is looking good, as usual…
Jon Stewart takes care of some house-keeping items before he opens up the chow lines.
Jon Stewart takes care of some house-keeping items before he opens up the chow lines.
How can you not NEED to grab a plate with a spread like this?
How can you not NEED to grab a plate with a spread like this?
Tables are turned loose to begin filtering through the food lines.
Tables are turned loose to begin filtering through the food lines.
Good southern eats are filling up plates quickly.
Good southern eats are filling up plates quickly.
Seriously good grub!
Seriously good grub!
Catfish Charlie's provided the food for this evening's festivities.
Catfish Charlie’s provided the food for this evening’s festivities.
Jon Stewart introduces Diane Nemecek of Folds of Honor.
Jon Stewart introduces Diane Nemecek of Folds of Honor.
Nemecek previews a quick video that shares the inspirations and beginnings of Folds of Honor.
Nemecek previews a quick video that shares the inspirations and beginnings of Folds of Honor.
John Foster representing the New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Nation was recognized for his state's contributions to Folds of Honor.
John Foster representing the New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Nation was recognized for his state’s contributions to Folds of Honor.
Sylvia Morris of Connecticut accepted the award for second place.
Sylvia Morris of Connecticut accepted the award for second place.
Chris Adams accepts the Jared Spickelmier Award for Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation for raising the most money for the Folds of Honor in 2015.
Chris Adams accepts the Jared Spickelmier Award for Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation for raising the most money for the Folds of Honor in 2015.
Jon Stewart was recognized for his loyalty ...
Jon Stewart was recognized for his loyalty …
... to the program over the past two years.
… to the program over the past two years.
He received the Freedom Warrior Award.
He received the Freedom Warrior Award.
Stewart draws a name to win the boat donated by Triton to Folds of Honor. The winner was Mike Conner of Alabama, who received a phone call later in the evening with the good news.
Stewart draws a name to win the boat donated by Triton to Folds of Honor. The winner was Mike Conner of Alabama, who received a phone call later in the evening with the good news.
More on the trophy...
More on the trophy…
Stewart was quite emotional accepting this honor. He has been instrumental in the relationship between B.A.S.S. and Folds of Honor.
Stewart was quite emotional accepting this honor. He has been instrumental in the relationship between B.A.S.S. and Folds of Honor.
The evening ended with the anglers and their friends and families headed back to the hotels for a night of rest before Day 1 gets under way at 6:15 a.m.
The evening ended with the anglers and their friends and families headed back to the hotels for a night of rest before Day 1 gets under way at 6:15 a.m.