Kipton Vipperman and Trenton Miller display their catch from the first day of the 2026 National Bassmaster Junior Championship on Friday, July 24.
Patrick Springs residents Kipton Vipperman and Trenton Miller, both 11, competed in the 2026 National Bassmaster Junior Championship held July 24-25 on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.
With a three-fish limit and a minimum length of 15 inches, the team weighed a three-fish limit totaling 8 pounds, 4 ounces on the first day to stand 28th. Despite heavy rain on the second day, they brought in two fish weighing 4 pounds, finishing with a two-day total of 12 pounds, 4 ounces.
Vipperman and Miller, along with volunteer boat captain Joe Hylton, are the first junior team from Patrick County to qualify for the national championship. They placed 43rd out of 115 teams.
Trenton Miller, Kipton Vipperman and Joe Hylton wave to spectators during the first day of competition on Friday, July 24.The Patrick Springs team and volunteer boat captain Joe Hylton brave heavy rain during the final day of the 2026 National Bassmaster Junior Championship on Saturday, July 25.Trenton Miller and Kipton Vipperman display their catch on Saturday, July 25.Kipton Vipperman and Trenton Miller, both 11, pose with volunteer boat captain Joe Hylton on the final day of the 2026 National Bassmaster Junior ChampionshipKipton Vipperman and Trenton Miller, along with volunteer boat captain Joe Hylton, on Friday, July 24.
