Joey Nania: Fishing for a career

1999 – Catches first lunker bass, 6.5 pounds, Liberty Lake. 2005, May – Wins age division in the Washington State Junior Bassmasters Tournament at Banks Lake; qualifies for Bassmasters Junior World Championships. 2005, July – Wins Junior Bassmaster Classic World Championships title in Pittsburgh, with boat and prizes totaling $14,000 plus trip to Disney World. 2005, August – Raises $2,200 in charity auction for offering a guided fishing trip; bidders included former Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien. 2005, September – Wins Washington State Junior Bassmaster Championship, Potholes Reservoir, for the second time in a year as competition moves from spring to fall format; qualifies for Junior Bassmasters World Championships. 2006, February – Skunked at Junior Bassmasters in Florida. 2007, May – Wins Fishing League Worldwide Junior State Tournament at Moses Lake, qualifying for FLW Cup. 2008, May – Wins 11-state Western Division Championships at Lake Coeur d’Alene; qualifies for Junior Bassmasters. 2008, November – Wins Junior Bassmaster World Championships title in Kansas. 2009, January – Finalist, representing Central Valley High School, in Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters Youth Awards for Junior Male Athlete of the Year; first time a competitive angler is honored. 2009, April – At 18, exceeds $10,000 in total donations raised by donating talents in guided bass fishing packages for the (Mark) Rypien Foundation’s battle against childhood cancer; named Junior Bassmaster Member of the Year for charitable work. 2010 –Debuts on national pro bass tour. 2011 – Establishes base in Alabama for pro tournament fishing and guiding. Marries Jessica. 2014 – Films and debuts in Sweetwater Fishing TV series with Miles Burghoff.