The ALBC conducted its annual general membership state meeting on Sat. Jan.21, with several changes implemented for this year (2012). The meeting was attended by several clubs and members. The attendance at the meeting was very good and the best attended meeting in quite some time and I thank everyone that attended. The biggest change is the location of the Best Six tournament. The Best Six has been held on Toledo Bend for the past 41 years. The association and I know its members did not want to make a change but due to the low water levels on Toledo Bend, a decision had to be made. The low water levels affected safe boating for the ALBC members and not being able to successfully release the fish back into the lake, was another issue that led to making a decision on moving the tournament to another location. We hope no one is inconvenienced with the decision and recognizes why the move had to be made for now.

The Best Six tournament will be held on the Red River out of Natchitoches at Grand Ecore Landing. The Red River Waterway Commission and the City if Natchitoches are donating and helping sponsor the tournament. This will be the most help we have had in some time with this tournament. The dates for the Best Six have not changed. The dates are still May 4, 5 & 6. The Friday night registration and feeding will be done as always and will be conducted at the Grand Ecore Landing. The landing area has 100 parking slots and the RRWC has added 70 more parking slots. I think everyone will enjoy all the open room that the new location will give and not have too park to far away from the weigh site. There is a web site that you can go to and find hotel, cabins rv parks to house your club members. The site is: www.natchitoches.net, look under, places to stay, and you should be able to locate all of them. All clubs should be receiving applications for the tournament shortly.

Also, the ALBC will be locating the State Team and the TOC to south Louisiana this year. The Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau made a presentation and bid to host the two tournaments that the association could not refuse. The State Team tournament (June 30-July 1) and the TOC (Sept. 23-24) will be held out of Bayou Black Marina. The association has not fish a tournament down south in quite some time and it was time that we fished south and recognized the members from that area. Also, the monetary donation will help enhance the tournament payout.

The ALBC again approved an agreement with Academy to help sponsor the ALBC and the ALBC Youth tournaments. Beside the monetary contribution, they will also donate about 30 bicycles for the youth tournaments, promotional items and some shirts. They are a great partner and please visit their stores as much as possible. It appears there will be about 4-5 new clubs in the association this year. If you know someone that wants to begin a club, encourage them to join the ALBC.

Hope to see you on the water.