Wilson Lake Kansas

High school anglers hit water

WILSON LAKE — Sam Starr and Brady Sherman earned McPherson High another state championship Saturday.

This one didn't involve any kind of ball, running, band or debating.

The 18-year-olds won the first Kansas High School Fishing State Championship at Wilson Lake.

They had to defeat four other teams to win. Next year the competition should be harder.

"This is the first year and it'll grow," said Robert Cartlidge, of the TBF Federation, the group that sponsored the tournament. "Last year we had a pilot in five states. In Kentucky we had seven boats and this year we had 74. It's our goal to have a high school fishing championship in every state this year."

The Federation knows a few things about holding tournaments. They've held adult tournaments for many years and currently have more than 30,000 adult members amid 46 U.S. chapters.

The high school tournaments are open to students who have completed eighth-grade but haven't started college.

An adult boat captain takes the teams afloat.

Cartlidge said there's no shortage of manufacturers and groups to help get kids into tournament fishing. Sponsorships are good enough there's no entry fee for their tournaments, and prizes abound.

Starr and Shermanwill advance to a regional championship in Illinois in September.

Many of their expenses will be paid. Ranger is furnishing a new boat for each team and their captain to use at the tournament.

If they win, they'll compete in a high school championship in April.

"We're expecting teams from about every state, Mexico, Italy and Japan," Cartlidge said. "I'd like to have 100 to 150 boats fishing in it."

He's hoping for more at a July national tournament in Arkansas. It's open to any young anglers who want to attend.

"Eventually our goal is to get 1,000 boats at that event," Cartlidge said.

He said that tournament could be about a week long, with only the top few teams fishing in new waters the last few days.

Some impressive prizes are planned for the top national tournaments. College scholarships of $5,000 annually to Bethel University in Tennessee will be awarded winners at the July tournament this year. Prizes at that event and other tournaments include cash scholarships, computers and other electronics.

There's a reason many prizes seem college-oriented.

"We want this to be an educational event that educates and promotes education," he said. "All (tournament entrants) are given a workbook that has math, science, language arts and how they relate to fishing.

Wilson Lake, Kansas - Nothing like you imagine! - Ridemonkey.com

Okay, I gotta start this off by saying until last weekend there's no way I would have believed any place in Kansas, especially way out in central Kansas, would provide singeltrack of this caliber. And I think that will probably be what you hear said more often about this trail than any other comment. You just can't believe you're in BFK when you're on this trail! Located about 5 minutes north of I-70 at the Wilson Lake exit (exit #206), this place will probably leave quite an impression on you. I was super skeptical about leaving all my gorgeous singletrack in Kansas City and hauling nearly 4 hours out to this place but I have to admit, it was very much worth the drive. I'd suggest doing it as an overnight road trip so you can double your saddle time. What's even more peculiar is that when I stopped along one of these inlets to take a break and enjoy the view, I kept hearing this kissing/smooching noise. When I looked into the crystal-clear water I was surprised to see hundreds of thigh-sized carp just chilling out in the water, feeding on floating things (whatever it is they eat) on the surface and making this smooching sound. One word of warning about Wilson Lake: you are exposed to the elements on this trail. There isn't a single square foot of shade to be found unless it's under a rock. So ride smart and pack smarter. Bring more fluid that you think you'll need and consider sunblock you're best riding friend in the summer. It's also windy here. The mornings and evenings are more calm, but once the sun gets up this place can hit you with a steady 40mph wind on an average day. I would also bet that winter riding here can be equally challenging to keep a comfy body temperature. I stayed a couple days at nearby Russell, Kansas in a generic chain-motel but I wish I had known about the newly restored Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson. It's just 10 minutes south of the trailhead and is an old railroad station, fully restored with Wi-Fi and modern amenities. Also in Wilson, within a block of the Midland Railroad Hotel, is a grocery store, a liquor store and a diner.

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