SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 23, 2026) – As part of REDCREST week festivities, three Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour (BPT) anglers traded their rods and reels for a classroom setting last Thursday, visiting fifth-grade students at the WOLF School for an interactive, hands-on learning experience centered on conservation, careers and competitive fishing.
BPT pros and REDCREST 2026 competitors Edwin Evers , Jake Lawrence and Wesley Strader joined MLF Competition Officials Butch Lansford and Brian Poppe along with MLF Senior Manager of PR and Communications Charity Muehlenweg to engage students in a unique program designed to go beyond a traditional classroom visit.
Rather than simply speaking to the students, the anglers challenged them to think like professionals. Working alongside the pros, students were tasked with building the “perfect bass lake,” considering key elements such as habitat, water quality and fish care. From there, the classroom transformed into a mock tournament setting, with students assigned real-world roles, including tournament director, fisheries biologist and television talent…