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Bassmaster Angel Anglers visit Tulane Hospital for Children on Valentine’s Day

Category: article

 Feb 15th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Feb 15th, 2011 at 12:00 AM

NEW ORLEANS – The patients at Tulane Hospital for Children received a special surprise this Valentine’s Day when they were visited by celebrity anglers Kevin VanDam, Aaron Martens, Brian LaClair, Ryan Said, Shaw Grigsby, Stephen Browning and Edwin Evers. Regarded as among the world’s best bass fishermen, the anglers are in town for the Bassmaster Classic, which is set to begin this Friday on the Louisiana Delta.

	Bassmaster Classic anglers visiting children at the Tulane Hospital Valentines Day morning. (Photo Fred Said)

During the visit, Bassmaster’s Angel Anglers casted out goodies and reeled in smiles. They also signed autographs, talked to the children about what it is like to be a competitive bass fisherman, and fielded questions from the curious audience.

At one point, all the Angel Anglers squeezed into 14-year-old patient Josh Castille’s room to swap fishing and hunting stories. Castille, a resident of Ville Platte, La., showed the anglers a picture of his most recent trophy buck. The anglers signed a tacklebox, magazine and hat for Castille, who shared a smile in return. The soft-spoken sportsman, grinning from ear to ear, remarked that the visit was “pretty cool.” It was sure to be a day that he won’t soon forget. Castille is planning on hanging the signed Bassmaster Magazine cover in his room once he gets home.

“I know what it can mean to put a smile on these kids’ faces and take their minds off things for a little while,” said professional angler VanDam, who captured his third Bassmaster Classic title in 2010 and is competing in this year’s tournament. “We are fortunate to make a living doing something we love, and it is easy to take things, like good health, for granted. I have twins who were born premature, and I know what places like this do.”

The celebrity visit was a welcome reprieve for the patients who have few opportunities to “just be a kid” while in the hospital. The Angel Anglers program was started in 2004 by Bassmaster Elite Series pro Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., as a way to bring joy and a good time to children and to promote the sport of bass fishing through positive, community service.

2011 Bassmaster Classic Official Sponsors: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, Bass Pro Shops, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter, Triton, Yamaha

About B.A.S.S.

For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications – Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times – comprehensive website Bassmaster.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.