Trophies And Certificates
BASS awards a small selection of trophies and certificates in recognition of our members notable catches over the previous season. Catches are submitted on trust – we do not require qualifying fish to be killed, or weights to be certified. Claims for trophies or certificates must be made by 31st January for the preceding year. Claims can be submitted online once logged into the members section of the website.
Trophies
- Heaviest Bass Caught By Any Method, Shore Or Boat
Shore Caught Trophies
- Heaviest on natural bait
- Heaviest by a fly fishing method
- Heaviest by a recognised spinning method
Boat Caught Trophies
- Heaviest on natural bait
- Heaviest by a fly fishing method
- Heaviest by a recognised spinning method
Junior Trophy
- Heaviest bass caught by a junior member
Certificates
- Certificate For First Bass over 6lb
- Certificate For Bass Over 8lb – Bronze
- Certificate For Bass Over 10lb – Silver
- Certificate For Bass Over 12lb – Gold
The Conservation Award
The Conservation Award is made by the BASS Committee to the person(s) or organisation considered to have made the biggest contribution to conservation. It is not awarded every year. Occasionally it is awarded to more than one recipient. At the 2013 AGM ‘The Conservation Award’ was renamed ‘The John Leballeur Restoration Award’.
The BASS Fellowship Award
In 2004 the Society implemented a new award, The BASS Fellowship Award. The decision to do this was taken by the committee after a period of mature reflection. For some years they had wanted the Society to have the means to publicly acknowledge the work of people who had made an exceptional contribution to benefit of BASS and bass, the Society and the fish. They did not want to have life, or other special categories, of membership.
It was recognised that most fellowships would be awarded to members of BASS but would not be exclusive to them. It could, for example, be awarded to non-anglers who nevertheless had made a substantial contribution to conservation or bass protection. Only individuals would be able to become Fellows.
From the beginning the committee took the view that long service or fulfilment of a role within BASS would not lead to Fellowship. Awards would go only to people who had done something genuinely exceptional. It was realised that some recipients, such as the founders Clive Gammon, John Darling, and Brian Harris, would be well known, whilst others, such as Eric Dixon would have worked tirelessly and with great dedication in the background and be virtually unknown to many members.
- In 2004 the first Fellowships were awarded to John Darling, Clive Gammon, Brian Harris, Malcolm Gilbert, Malcolm Brindle, Bob Spurgeon, Donovan Kelly, and Dave Cooling.
- In 2005 Fellowships were awarded to Eric Dixon, John Morgan, Steve Butler, and Steve Pitts.
- In 2007 a Fellowship was awarded to David Riley.
- John Leballeur, chairman of the BASS Restoration Project team, was made a ‘Fellow of the Society’ in 2008.
The Fellowships carry no benefits other than the accolade itself. It is not a special category of membership.
Annually, in January, the committee will consider whether anyone should be awarded a Fellowship at the next AGM. There is no assumption that awards will be made every year.
List Of Awards, Trophies And Certificates Presented
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2016 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2015 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2014 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2013 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2012 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2011 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2010 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2009 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: 2008 Season
Trophies, Awards and Certificates presented: Prior To 2008
Clive Hodges (left), winner of the heaviest bass caught by any member (any method shore or boat) in 2012/13, receives his award from Malcolm Gilbert
photo courtesy Alan ParfittJohn Leballeur (left) being presented with ‘Fellow of the Society’ award by Chris Yates, angling author, at the BASS AGM 2008
photo courtesy Alan Parfitt