ROGERS, Ark. (May 3, 2026) – Second- and third-grade students at Lowell Elementary School got a high-energy introduction to professional bass fishing this week, thanks to a visit from Major League Fishing (MLF) pros Nick LeBrun of Benton, Louisiana, and Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They were joined by MLF Competition Officials Butch Lansford and Brian Poppe during their off day prior to the start of the MLF Bass Pro Tour’s Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI at Beaver Lake.

The interactive program, led by MLF Sr. Manager of PR & Communications Charity Muehlenweg, brought the fast-paced world of the Bass Pro Tour into the classroom while emphasizing the core principles of conservation, water safety and responsible fish care through MLF’s Fisheries Management Division (FMD).

Photos/videos from the Lowell Elementary School visit can be found here.

Students got a hands-on look at the league’s signature catch, weigh and immediate-release format, with a live demonstration showing how every fish is carefully handled, weighed on a certified scale and returned to the water within seconds. With an MLF Competition Official acting as the on-the-water referee, the segment reinforced how proper fish handling and minimizing time out of the water helps ensure healthy fisheries for the future.

The conservation message extended beyond the pros, encouraging students to take ownership of their local lakes and waterways. Through simple examples, like picking up trash, recycling fishing line and respecting wildlife habitats, students learned how small actions can make a big impact.

LeBrun told the students that protecting the resource is a responsibility shared by everyone who enjoys the outdoors.

“Every fish we catch is important, and the way we handle them matters just as much as catching them,” said LeBrun. “That’s why we weigh them quickly and put them right back in the water. The same goes for all of you – whether you’re fishing, swimming or just spending time at the lake, taking care of it means it’ll be there for you and the next generation to enjoy.”

Water safety was a key focus throughout the program, with LeBrun emphasizing the importance of life jackets as the most essential piece of gear on any boat. Students also participated in an interactive exercise simulating how long a fish can safely remain out of water, reinforcing the importance of quick handling and awareness.

Beyond conservation, the visit highlighted the wide range of career opportunities connected to the fishing industry. From professional anglers and tournament officials to roles in media, marketing, event operations and fisheries science, students were introduced to the many ways a passion for the outdoors can translate into a future career.

The gym quickly turned into a lively competition arena during a casting challenge, where LeBrun and Shuffield squared off to land pitches into fish targets while students cheered on their favorite pro. The energy carried into a rapid-fire trivia session, where students answered questions about conservation, fishing and water safety to win prizes, including rods and reels, MLF attire and bait packs.

The visit wrapped up with a Q&A session, giving students the chance to connect directly with the pros before sending them off with a simple message about respecting the outdoors and staying engaged with the natural world.

The Lowell Elementary stop served as a community-focused highlight during Stage 5 at Beaver Lake and reinforced how the sport can be a platform for both competition and education while inspiring the next generation of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X,  Instagram, Rumble and YouTube .

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV, Game & Fish TV and Rumble, and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.