Lake Ouachita will play a huge part in the Spring leg of the Arkansas Youth Fishing Association’s 2016 season with “The Opposition on Ouachita” slated to hit the water March 19 and the Junior State Tournament will dock on the lake April 16-17.
The Arkansas Youth Fishing Association (AYFA) was founded by a group of people who shared a goal to provide every youth in Arkansas an opportunity to be a part of a fishing organization. The AYFA was created to provide an avenue of communication between state youth fishing clubs. They have also organized a tournament trail.
Youth fishermen are divided into two groups, Junior (ages 11-15) and Senior (age 16-High School Senior).
Mount Ida’s club team the Jr. Bass Hookrz and Bass Hookrz are one of seven teams currently participating in the AYFA.
The 2016 season kicks off February 13 in North West Arkansas with “Bass High”. The event is hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Hawg Hunters.
“The Grind at Greeson”, hosted by Tri-Lakes Bassin-Rouges and the Prescott Fishing Team.
The competition will converge on Montgomery County March 19 at Mountain Harbor Resort with “The Opposition on Ouachita”. This event will be hosted by Mount Ida, Lake Hamilton and Fountain Lake.
The anglers will travel North to Bull Shoals April 2 for “The Beating on Bull Shoals”.
Things get serious in mid-April as members of the Junior Division return to Mountain Harbor for the Junior State Tournament to be held on Lake Ouachita. The Tournament will begin April 16 and conclude the next day.
The Senior Division gets their chance to shine May 7 when they travel to Dardanelle State Park for their state tournament to be held on Lake Dardanelle.
There will also be a Cast for Kids event held at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hatchery May 21.
The season builds to a crescendo June 18 and 19 with the AYFA Championship to be held on the Arkansas River in Little Rock.
For more information on the AYFA check out their website at http://www.aryouthfishing.com/
For more information on the Mount Ida Jr. Bass Hookrz check out their Facebook page.