With the partial government shutdown Fishing for Freedom for 2013 was cancelled due to the closures of most boat launching ramps on Lake Belton. Thursday morning, 17th of Oct., we awoke to discover the ramps were being reopened so the tournament was back on. We lost some boaters and soldiers who had already made other plans but still had over 200 boaters show up to show their appreciation to our military by taking them for a day of tournament fishing on Lake Belton. Angler Bill Guzman and his partner 1st sgt. Dustin Roberts took first place with 5 fish, the largerst was 8.93, caught by Dustin for a total weight of 15.01 lbs. Second place went to angler Landon Wear and his partner with 15.00 lbs! First place won a Triton bass boat with Mercury motor and $2,240 for big fish. Second place won $2,000 and the tournament paid with cash and prizes up to the 26th team.
Everyone was a winner though as all participants received F4F t-shirts, hats and tackle donated by the sponsors. Special thanks goes to all the corporate and individual sponsors, the Elks Lodges of Temple and Grapevine, the US. Coast Guard Auxiliary-Flotilla 05-07, the staff and crew at MWR/BLORA, the boaters, the volunteers and especially to our military who sacrifice daily for our freedoms.
Photos of Fishing for Freedom may be found by clicking here: F4F