The man who broke the state record for a largemouth bass was recognized at the March meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission on Thursday. In addition, the TFWC welcomed three new members.
Gabe Keen was a guest at the meeting and was presented a certificate for his state record catch of 15 pounds, 3 ounces which came Friday, Feb. 13 on Chickamauga Reservoir.
The new mark surpasses the record which had stood since Oct. 17, 1954. James "Logue" Barnett had the previous long-standing mark of 14 pounds, 8 ounces with his fish caught on Sugar Creek in Lawrence County.
A video was also shown about the history of the previous long-standing record.
The video also featured interviews with Keen, TWRA Fisheries Division Chief Bobby Wilson, TWRA Region III Fisheries Biologist Mike Jolley, and members of the Campbell County High School Bass Fishing team which he coaches.
The March meeting was the first for three new commissioners who recently had their appointments confirmed. Kurt Holbert of Decaturville is the new commissioner for District 7 which includes Henry, Carroll, Benton, Henderson, Decatur, Perry, and Hardin counties. Receiving appointments as statewide commissioners were Jeff W. Cook, M.D., of Franklin and Bill Swan, of Dunlap. The meeting was the first led by commission chairman Jim Bledsoe of Jamestown.
A June 2014 flood caused damage to the gates which forced their removal at TWRA’s Carroll Lake in West Tennessee. The lake has remained completely drained.
The commission had asked the TWRA to explore options concerning the lake’s future. TWRA Region I Manager Alan Peterson and TWRA Engineering Division Chief Dwight Hensley each spoke to the commission and presented the Agency’s options. The commissioner took the options under advisement. TWRA staff will discuss the options with Carroll County government officials and revisit the issue at the TFWC’s April meeting.
Next month’s meeting will return to the regular two-day format. It will be held in Paris on April 23-24 at the Holly Fork Shooting Complex.