By JAMES RONALD SKAINS
Journal Correspondent

The Area 6 Chapter of the Louisiana Logging Council has tentatively set May 8, 2004 as the date for a one-day bass fishing tournament to raise money for its Log-a-Load-for-Kids program which is part of the National Children's Miracle Network.

"The loggers down in the Florida parishes have sponsored bass tournaments for the last few years to raise money for the Log-a-Load-for Kids and have been very successful," said Jimmy Carter, Area 6 Chairman of the Louisiana Loggers Council.

"Toledo Bend Lake is one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country so we are looking for a lot of fun and good fishing for our tournament."

Jerry Dingler, Marketing Director for V&M Bass Bait Company and Bayou Outdoors of West Monroe said "Although this bass tournament is not a fishing tournament for the full-time professional fishermen, it should attract a lot of attention from the north and central Louisiana fishermen."

The date chosen for the fishing tournament ties in with the annual Loggers and Forestry festival held in Zwolle, Louisiana.

"We hope to hold the tournament at North Toledo Bend State Park near Zwolle," said Carter. Carter operates his logging operation out of Converse, Louisiana and lives near Toledo Bend Lake.

"We would like to make a tie-in with the Loggers Festival so that the families of those in the fishing tournament can go to the festival and have a good time while they compete," Carter said. "People will be coming in on Friday to get ready for the Saturday tournament so that should bring a few more people to the festival on Friday."

Carter is working to name a Pro Angler from the Toledo Bend area as tournament Director. The tournament steering committee is planning on offering a first place cash prize of $3,000 for the winning fisherman and a Bass Boat as Grand Prize.

The Log-a-Load-for-Kids program has been an annual fund raising event not only for Louisiana Loggers but also for loggers across America. Money raised under this program goes to the Children's Miracle Network which partners with selected hospitals around the country, such as Cabrini in Alexandria and the Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge to provide health care funding for children with severe illnesses and injuries.

The steering committee of the Log-a-Load-for-Kids Tournament met on Thursday, February 19, at the Crawfish Hole Restaurant in Natchitoches. Loggers in attendance were Carter, Travis Taylor, Mickey Hawkins and Pie Martinez. Others attending were Clyde Todd and Debra Jordan of the Louisiana Logging Council, Jerry Dingler, Randy Despino of Despino Tires of Natchitoches, and Ron Skains of the Piney Woods Journal.

The next steering committee meeting will be held in mid-March. For more information and registration forms, contact Clyde Todd or Debra Jordan at 318-443-2558.

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