If you’re in downtown Knoxville or around the University of Tennessee campus this weekend, you may get a whiff of green that has nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day.
The 2019 Bassmasters Classic – known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” – takes place today (3/15) through Sunday on the Tennessee River. Daily takeoffs will be from Volunteer Landing each competition day, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The top angler takes home $300,000.
Note: This does not have a trickle-down effect.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to be in the proximity of such elites as Bill Lowen, Harvey Horne, Brock Mosley, Clark Wendlandt, Jay Yelas, Jesse Tacorante, Brad Whatley, Keith Combs, Shane Linebarger and Scott Canterbury. All of them are expected to be on hand for autographs, photos and greeting fans outside the Knoxville Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The 2019 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo is being held at the convention center and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.
Today is Military Appreciation Day, and Saturday is First Responder Appreciation Day. The first 100 people each day to show their appropriate ID to a B.A.S.S. staff person at the Bassmaster booth will receive a free Bassmaster hat.
Weigh-ins will take place in Thompson-Boling Arena, with the first fish to be weighed between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m. Doors open for B.A.S.S. Life and Nation members at 3 p.m. and to the general public at 3:15 p.m.
The Bassmaster Classic was launched in 1971 and has had two previous appearances in Tennessee. The last was in 1986 on the Tennessee River in Chickamauga.
For more information about the tournament, including parking/shuttles and Thompson-Boling’s bag policy, click here.
Attendance is free.
You don’t have to be a pro – or even an adult – to enjoy fishing. Frozen Head State Park will host a Junior Trout Tournament at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 16. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the park visitor center. Ages 6 to 16 are welcome. Cost is $1.
Fishers older than 13 must present a valid fishing license and trout stamp. Prizes will be awarded to winners. Register online. Info: 423-346-3318.
For other local fishing, hiking, biking and outdoor activities, check out the Outdoor Knoxville calendar.