Passport to Texas

Answering questions at Bassmaster University. Photo: James Overstreet

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This is Passport to Texas

Fishing for largemouth bass is more satisfying when you have the skills and know-how to reel them in. Anglers can acquire both during the annual Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest May 17th – 20th on Lake Travis.

And you ask why.

Dave Terre is chief of fisheries management and research, and coordinates the tournament for the agency.

Well, some of the world’s best bass fishermen are going to be at this event. And they have an event called the Bassmaster University. And here you can come and listen at no cost to you, a seminar from these bass anglers. And they’ll teach you have to cast, they’ll teach you how to fish with particular kinds of baits—in a seminar format. You’ll be able to hear seminars from some of our favorite bass fishing pros. Maybe Mike Iaconelli, or Kevin VanDam. And actually hear them talk about: how do they fish a crankbait, how do they fish a top water; what strategies do they use to fish for bass during high water, or low water, or during the springtime, or whatever. It’s an opportunity to hear how the best fish. That’s a window of opportunity you don’t want to miss.

The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest is May 17th -20th on Lake Travis. It’s free to attend. Find details at bassmaster.com.

The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, Cecilia Nasti.

Guadalupe Bass (Micropterus treculii)

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This is Passport to Texas

The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest is a professional bass fishing tournament that puts the spotlight on Texas’ exceptional bass fisheries. The event comes to Lake Travis in the Texas Hill Country May 17-20.

Just outside of Jonestown, Texas at Jones Brothers Park.

Dave Terre, chief of fish management and research, coordinates the event for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The pro anglers who fish the tournament should also expect to reel in species other than largemouth.

It’s going to be kind of cool this year. Yes, they’ll catch white bass, they’ll catch a striper. But I think they’re going to be reeling in one really cool fish this year. A fish that they’ve never caught in the 12 year history of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest. They going to be catching some of the state fish this year. The Guadalupe bass. They’re very abundant in Lake Travis, and also, we’re going to be doing some messaging with that fish this year…since we’re doing so much work with the Guadalupe bass right here in the Texas Hill Country; that will be really cool.

The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest is May 17-20 on Lake Travis. It’s free to attend, and offers an Outdoor Adventures Area for family friendly fun. Details at bassmaster.com.

The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, Cecilia Nasti.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Michael Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., will be competing among a full field of 108 anglers in the 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Image: bassmaster.com.

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This is Passport to Texas

More than 100 world class bass anglers will be on Lake Travis later this month for an event originally called the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.

This event has been going on since 2007, but, for the past two years, it’s under a brand new name: The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest.

TPWD’s Dave Terre helps to coordinate the event for the agency, which he says is a fundraiser.

To help the department raise fund to benefit our youth fishing activities.

Including the neighborhood fishin’ program, state fish art contest, and various other programs that get youth involved in the sport of angling.

This has been really huge for Texas Parks and Wildlife. So far we’ve raised 2.75 million dollars since the event’s inception since 2007 as the as the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.

With another $250,000 donation expected at the Lake Travis event, donations will reach $3-million dollars.

It’s a blessing. And we can thank Toyota, And Gulf States Toyota and Bassmaster for helping us and supporting us in this event, to showcase our Texas fisheries, and to give us these funds to do good work to bring children into the outdoors through fishing.

The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest is on Lake Travis in Jonestown, Texas. It’s free to attend, and offers an Outdoor Adventures Area for family friendly fun. Details at bassmaster.com.

The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, Cecilia Nasti.

Walter Stankiewicz and the kiddos. Image: Texas Children in Nature

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This is Passport to Texas

After graduating from college and working in government, Walter Stankiewicz wanted a change.

I have a degree in international business, with lots of experience regarding government and outdoor work. So, I figured: what can I do to combine those elements.

This Pennsylvania native landed in Austin, where he serves as an Americorps Vista Volunteer for Texas Parks and Wildlife. He works with the Texas Children in Nature Program, and Nature Rocks Texas.

Nature rocks Texas is a program that’s is a way to target, communicate with and engage our audiences. Mostly children, and the children’s parent, of course. The goal of Nature Rocks Texas is to highlight green space and nature and activities at nature themed places, and nature themed events.

These programs remove barriers to equitable access to nature for children and families. Access to the outdoors, says Walter, benefits everyone, especially children.

Because it makes children happier, healthier and smarter. Of course, there’s more meat to it than that. A book came out about 15 years ago called Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louve. He identified and defined this term: nature deficit disorder, meaning especially children who are not engaged in nature are losing a vital element of both formal and informal education, and also they’re losing a part of growing up that renders a very healthy, optimistic and happier mindset for the rest of your life. That’s the essence of why we’re doing this.

That’s our show…. brought to you in part by Ram trucks: built to serve.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Enjoying time on the Goliad Paddling Trail

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This is Passport to Texas

Goliad State Park and Historic Site was the first park to host an inland paddling trail. The trail meanders along the San Antonio River.

It’s about 6.1 miles of beautiful pristine river. The site here in our park is the take out site. The other developed areas to get on the paddling trail is north of our park. So once you get to the park people have to get off the river unless they want to continue to float with no easy access to get off.

Brenda Justice is park superintendent. Next week the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS features the trail and the folks who love it, including Charles Clapsaddle.

The six and a half miles current trail I can make in about an hour and a half, most people take a little over two hours. We will go pretty close to downtown Goliad, a couple of blocks from the courthouse and you wouldn’t know you were near a town. You hear crickets and cicadas and birds, nothing that sounds like humans. It’s a nice friendly river.

Even people new to paddling will enjoy the Goliad Trail.

It’s a coastal stream so it has muddy banks. Grass and trees grow right down to the bank. You usually see a lot of wildlife because of that. It’s good for families. You don’t have to be a skilled canoeist or a kayaker to enjoy the river. Right now we’re just drifting, we’re floating on the current.
Get a sense of the Goliad paddling trail’s serene beauty next week on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS. Check your local listings.

That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife, Cecilia Nasti.