Two Patrick County anglers are competing this week in the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Championship at Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.
Kipton Vipperman and Trenton Miller, both 11, qualified for the national tournament after finishing third at the Virginia state tournament at Buggs Island on May 29-30. The championship is being held July 19-25.
The team, along with boat captain Joe Hylton, caught nine fish over two days at the state tournament for a combined weight of 22.98 pounds.
After ending the first day in 16th place with 5.78 pounds, the team rallied on the second day with a full bag weighing 17.2 pounds. One bass weighed 5.14 pounds, earning the Big Fish Award for the day.
Earlier in the season, the team also placed:
First at Buggs Island on Oct. 4, 2025.
First at Buggs Island on Oct. 5, 2025.
Fourth at Smith Mountain Lake on Nov. 8, 2025.
Fifth at Philpott on March 21, while also earning the Big Fish Award.
Live coverage of the tournament weigh-ins is available Friday and Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. at bassmaster.com/tournament/2026-bassmaster-junior-championship.
Anyone interested in joining the Patrick County High School fishing team or volunteering as a boat captain may contact team sponsors Scott and Deanna Eastridge. A registration meeting is planned for August.
