Blue Eye's Redford qualifies for fishing World Championship

Blue Eye's Linda Redford, center, shows off two of the bass she caught in the last WBFA tournament of the season in Alabama. Redford has qualified for the association's Classic World Championship, which is her fourth consecutive appearance. Redford is currently in sixth place for Angler of the Year. Submitted photo

BLUE EYE, MO. ---- Professional angler Linda Redford from Blue Eye, Mo., has qualified to fish the Women's Bass Fishing Association Classic World Championship for the world title.

The WBFA is the only professional women's bass tour in the nation. The top 35 women anglers from the tour will compete for the world title later this year on a yet-to-be-announced lake.

This will be the fourth consecutive Classic appearance for Redford, who competes in the week-long Pro-Am events held across the nation.

The last tournament of the season was held on Alabama's Lake Neely Henry on the Coosa River system. Redford's 10 bass weighed 18.84 pounds, good for sixth place.

"This was a good tournament for me," Redford said, "as it counts toward Angler of the Year for this season, as well as for the next season. I am currently in sixth place for the 2005 season."

The WBFA Tour hosts six to eight national tournaments each year, plus the annual Classic World Championship. Contenders have three official practice days, followed by two exciting days of competition.