Easton Smith of Ellis gets a little help from Hays Bass Anglers Association’s Ryan Bechard during the Bass Cast competition on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at the Youth Outdoor Festival in Hays.
Bass Cast popular at Youth Outdoor Festival
HAYS, KS (Aug. 19, 2022) — Hays Bass Anglers Association hosted welcomed youth to the Bass Cast competition at the Youth Outdoor Festival on Aug. 19, 2023, at the Hays City Sportsman’s Club northwest of Hays. Nearly 150 youth participated in Saturday’s event. According to club members, that is the highest number of participants that have ever competed in the casting event.
Youth learned a variety of basic casting techniques as they competed for prize. The program, which stems from Bass Anglers Sportman Society’s (BASS’s) Casting Kids competition, has been kept alive by the HBAA under the name Bass Cast and continues to be a successful part of Hays’ Youth Outdoor Festival.
Bass Cast is similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program, although abandoned by BASS, has remained a strong youth event in the Hays area. Youth are judged on three casting techniques and their scores are totaled to determine prizes. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used on actual fishing trips.
Prizes were handed out to the winners in each age class at the conclusion of the event.
Bass Cast still popular at Youth Outdoor Festival
HAYS, KS (Aug. 22, 2022) — Hays Bass Anglers Association hosted youth during Bass Cast at the Youth Outdoor Festival on Aug. 22, 2022, at the Hays City Sportsman’s Club northwest of Hays.
Youth learned a variety of basic casting techniques as they competed for prize. The program, which stems from Bass Anglers Sportman Society’s (BASS’s) Casting Kids competition, has been kept alive by the HBAA under the name Bass Cast and continues to be a successful part of Hays’ Youth Outdoor Festival.
Bass Cast is similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program, although abandoned by BASS, has remained a strong youth event in the Hays area. Youth are judged on three casting techniques and their scores are totaled to determine prizes. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used on actual fishing trips.
Prizes were handed out to the winners in each age class at the conclusion of the event.
Kansas Bigs enjoy an evening of guided fishing with HBAA
HAYS, KS (May 18, 2022) – Youth from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County gathered at Darrell Augustine’s farm pond near Hays, Kan., as members of the Hays Bass Anglers Association (HBAA), acting as youth mentors, guided a fishing adventure that was sure to be a success. HBAA hosted the annual event as part of their community service activities that is part of the mission of the Hays Bass Anglers Association. The evening began with a hot dog feed for the kids and shortly after each was given a fishing pole and a container of night crawlers as they ventured down to the pond to fish. “This is an important activity for us and for the kids,” said Clayton Rudman, Youth Director for HBAA. Youth mentors from HBAA helped the kids rig their poles with worms underneath a bobber and the event became a success as each of the youth landed multiple fish during the evening event. The event was another successful trip helping HBAA fulfill its mission to continue spreading the excitement about the sport of fishing. Click here to see more pictures from the event at Shutterfly.
Bass Cast a success at Outdoor Festival
HAYS, KS (Aug. 21, 2021) — Hays Bass Anglers Association’s welcomed youth during the Bass Cast event on Aug. 21, 2021 during the Annual Youth Outdoor Festival at the Hays City Sportsman’s Club northwest of Hays.
Around 75 youth learned a variety of basic casting techniques as they competed for prize. The program, which stems from Bass Anglers Sportman Society’s (BASS’s) Casting Kids competition, has been kept alive by the HBAA under the name Bass Cast and continues to be a successful part of Hays’ Youth Outdoor Festival.
Bass Cast is similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program, although abandoned by BASS, has remained a strong youth event in the Hays area. Youth are judged on three casting techniques and their scores are totaled to determine prizes. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used on actual fishing trips.
HBAA members introduce youth to sport of fishing
Hays, Kansas (May 27, 2021) – Fifteen youth from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County gathered at Darrell Augustine’s farm pond on the outskirts of Hays, Kan., as members of the Hays Bass Anglers Association (HBAA), acting as youth mentors, guided these children for an afternoon of fishing. HBAA was excited to return to hosting the event after last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth activities are a very important
part of the mission of the Hays Bass Anglers Association which has been coordinating this youth event for more than a decade. The trip began with a hot dog feed for the kids and shortly after each was given a fishing pole and a container of night crawlers as they headed to the pond to try their luck at catching fish. Heavy rains earlier in the week made the fishing difficult for most of the target species with the exception of catfish that were really active after the flooding rains created a feeding frenzy. Catfish were the primary species caught but young anglers also caught largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. “The kids really had a wonderful time and they caught quite a few really nice fish,” said Clayton Rudman, Youth Director for HBAA. Youth mentors from HBAA put worms on hooks, helped land the big fish and helped unhook and release fish for the youth that Big Brothers and Big Sisters staffers refer to as “kiddos.” The event was another successful trip helping HBAA fulfill its mission to continue spreading the excitement about the sport of fishing. Click here to view and purchase photos from the
Kiddos enjoy day of fishing with HBAA
Hays, Kansas (May 30, 2019) – Eleven youth from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County gathered at Darrell Augustine’s farm pond on the outskirts of Hays, Kan., as members of the Hays Bass Anglers Association (HBAA), acting as youth mentors, introduced these youngsters to the joys of the sport of fishing. WATCH THE VIDEO. Youth activities are a big part of the mission of the Hays Bass Anglers Association which has been coordinating this youth event for more than a decade. The event began with a hot dog feed for the kids and shortly after each was given a fishing pole and a container of night crawlers as they headed to the pond to try their hand at catching fish. With recent rains and water flowing into the pond, the fish were quite active as every angler caught fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. “We really look forward to this event every year and the reward for me is seeing the look on the faces of these kids when they reel in a fish,” said Darrel VonFeldt, Youth Director for HBAA. For nearly two hours, youth mentors put worms on hooks, tied on countless artificial lures and helped unhook and release fish for the youth that Big Brothers and Big Sisters staffers refer to as “kiddos.” As the evening came to a close and it was time to leave, a faint voice from a kiddo on the other side of the cove could be heard saying “wait… I caught another one.”
Clayton Rudman, president of Hays Bass Anglers Association, gives a donation of $500 on behalf of HBAA to Jenny Bates, area manager for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, in Hays. Contributions to the outdoor fund for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, like this one, help provide children with the opportunity to have a mentor in their lives. The money helps Big Brothers and Big Sisters recruit, screen, train and match volunteers with children who want to learn about activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching and more. Contributions help provide opportunities for youth to participate in youth events, like HBAA’s annual fishing day and other events HBAA is involved in like the Youth Outdoor Festival.
HBAA’s Bass Cast still a success
HAYS, KS (Aug. 18, 2018) — Flipping, pitching and casting were three techniques youth scored points in during Hays Bass Anglers Association’s Bass Cast event on Aug. 18, 2018 during the 21st Annual Youth Outdoor Festival at the Hays City Sportsmans Club near Hays.
More than 80 youth learned a variety of basic casting techniques as they competed for prize. The program stems from Bass Anglers Sportman Society’s (BASS’s) Casting Kids competition, which has been kept alive by the HBAA under the name Bass Cast and continues to be a successful part of Hays’ Youth Outdoor Festival.
Bass Cast is similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program, although abandoned by BASS, has remained a strong youth event in the Hays area therefore HBAA club members made the decision to keep the essence of the program alive. Youth are judged on their ability to flip, pitch and cast. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used on actual fishing trips.
Lyndsie Byer, 11, of Hays, proudly holds a bass she caught as HBAA’s Bob Stewart, left, stands proudly behind her on May 24, 2018, at Darrell Augustine’s pond just outside of Hays. HBAA members hosted youth from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County during their annual fishing event to benefit youth involved with the organization. (Photo by Steven Hausler / HBAA )
Big Brothers, Big Sisters go fishing with HBAA
Hays, Kansas (May 24, 2018) — Nearly 20 kids gathered at Darrell Augustine’s farm pond on the outskirts of Hays on Thursday to take part in an annual event conducted by members of the Hays Bass Anglers Association designed to introduce youth to the sport of fishing. The event began with a hot dog feed for the kids and shortly after the kids were given their fishing poles and a container of night crawlers as they headed to the pond to try their hand at fishing. Even though the fishing was slow, everyone enjoyed the outing according to HBAA officers. Click here to view the slideshow from the event.
Youth Casting Challenge a big success
HAYS (Aug. 21, 2017) — The Kids Casting Challenge was again a successful part of the the Youth Outdoor Festival on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2017, at the Hays City Sportsmans Club. Eighty youth learned a variety of basic casting techniques as they competed for prizes during the event sponsored by the Hays Bass Anglers Association. The program, kept alive by the club, continues to be a successful part of the popular Youth Outdoor Festival, which is now in its 20th year. The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society first created the Casting Kids program, similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program, although abandoned by BASS, has remained a strong youth event in the Hays area, primarily due to the popularity of the Youth Outdoor Festival. HBAA club members changed the name of the event and kept the essence of the program alive in Hays. Youth are judged on their ability to flip, pitch and cast. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used later on actual fishing trips. Winners in the under age 7 category are: 1st Place — Barrett Pianalto, 2nd Place — Nolan Brown and 3rd Place Sean Ryan. Winners in the age 7-10 category are: 1st Place — Brett Luetters. 2nd Place — Trent Ryan and 3rd Place — Isaac Moreno. Winners in the age 10-14 category are: 1st Place — Bo West, 2nd Place — Miles Keller and 3rd Place — Hunter Flax.
Kids Casting Challenge draws crowd at festival
HAYS (Aug. 20, 2016) — The Kids Casting Challenge attracted big numbers of participants again at the Youth Outdoor Festival on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at the Hays City Sportsmans Club. More than 100 youth learned basic casting techniques as they competed for prizes during the event sponsored by the Hays Bass Anglers Association. The
program kept alive by the club is a favorite part of the outdoor festival which is now in its 19th year. The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society first created the Casting Kids program, similar to the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. The program has remained a strong youth event over the last several years. HBAA club members changed the name of the event and kept the program alive in Hays. Youth are judged on their ability to flip, pitch and cast. HBAA Club members teach the three casting techniques designed to help them develop skills that may be used later on actual fishing trips. The winners in the casting competition for children under 7 years old: 1st – Kenneth Walker, 2nd – Noah Kaiser, 3rd Jace Herbers. Alternates are Austin Katina and Noylan Brown. Winners in the 7-10 year old division: 1st Trenton Staley, 2nd Ryder Wertz, 3rd Carson Schartz. Alternates are Gunner Weigel, Owen Kaiser and Bryce Werth. Winners in the 11-14 year old division: Kaley Logue, Hoylan Klaus and Caden Ryan. Alternates are Austin McGuire and Christian Wellbrock.
Hays Bass Anglers Association’s Clayton Rudman holds a nice fish caught by Little Sister Adalynn during a fishing adventure conducted by HBAA member for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County.
HBAA members take kids fishing
HAYS – KS (May 12, 2016) — Members of the Hays Bass Anglers Association guided youth from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County as 16 youth enjoyed a fun-filled
fishing trip at a farm pond, owned by Daryl Augustine, of Hays. “The kids really caught a lot of fish and had all of the volunteers running around like crazy helping the kids with their catches,” said Darrel VonFeldt, HBAA’s co-director of youth programs. Using worms and even some artificial baits, the kids enjoyed catching catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill.”It was a blast as we saw one of the largest turnouts we’ve ever had for the event,” VonFeldt said. Club members grilled hotdogs for the kids before heading down to the pond to go fishing. The youth fishing program is an annual event for the club. At right: Little Brother Kyle is pictured holding a nice bass he caught at the event.
