2006
+ NAPRA started in the summer of 2006 as the DFL, or Dayton Fishing League. Founder Pete Ziehler made many treks to fishing spots but never was able to share the fine spots that he discovered with anyone. He stumbled in late July of 2006 into Mike Baker, a fellow angler from Xenia, Ohio. Baker and Ziehler starting a partnership that eventually lead to the creation of the DFL. Mike Baker was declared DFL Cup Series Champion and Pete Ziehler won the First DFL Derby.
2007
+ The DFL grew from 2 members to 9 members and 10 solid sponsors, including initial sponsors K&E Stopper, Eagle Claw, and NBAA Bass. The first event nobody scored a fish! What a way to start! Joe Salmons will score two straight victories on his way to 2007 Rookie of the Year. Pete Ziehler scored 4 victories, including his second DFL Cup and DFL Derby Title.
2008
+ The DFL grew from 9 members to 12 and over 20 sponsors signed on the help the DFL grew. 2008 saw Rookie of the Year and DFL Derby Champion Chris Bussler changed the DFL forever with his slow paced, targeting wading. Chris Tracy was declared MVP while Pete Ziehler scored his third straight points championship.
2009
+The 2009 Dayton Fishing League DFL Cup Series was the most exciting in league history. The season started with quite a surprise. Newcomer Dan Amburgey(Kettering, Ohio) not only won the DFL Opener (held at the Little Miami Corwin site) but caught the biggest bass in DFL history to date, catching a massive 16″ bass! Later in the season, DFL Founder Pete Ziehler, in the 4 years of the league had never won on his home turf. Down roughly 8 points to 3 heading into the final hour, Ziehler hit a rock bass honey hole and scored 13 fish in the final hour. “Finally!” is all Ziehler could say.
During the course of the season current (as of 2021) members Pete Ziehler secured a win in the DFL #2 at the Mad River Urbana. In the only stop at MRU 10 anglers fished for 4 hours to get completely skunked. Ziehler on his last cast managed a 12” fish to sheepishly claim the victory. Charles Brannam, current Ohio Series member claimed the 3rd event while Ziehler claimed the 5th event of the year.
The Derby, the last event on the stop had a surprising start and even more amazing finish. Chris Tracy, the 2009 DFL Derby Champion, scored a 24 inch Catfish to give him 18 points off the bat. He preceded to score a DFL Record 37 points on way to his first DFL Derby Title. What a surprise!! The end of the Derby was even more shocking. Chris Bussler was ahead of Pete Ziehler by 2 points with 10 minutes to go. Ziehler preceded to watch Bussler score a 10 incher(3 point fish) and think that his 2009 DFL Cup Points Title was going to go in the dumper! Well, Ziehler scored 6 points(a 8″, 9″, 7″ and 13″) in the final 10 minutes and edged Bussler for 2nd place in the Derby and secured his 3rd DFL Cup Series title in a row. Chris Bussler and Chris Tracy, whom finished 2 and 4 points behind series in the Season points series, were named Co-Angler of the Year.
2010
+The biggest season to date started out as with the largest number of participants in DFL Opener History. DFL Veteran Chris Bussler outpaced rookies Jessie Jones and Tim Hill to win the event. Bussler scored 9 pts of the strength of 5 fish to secure the season opener. 17 anglers entered the 2010 circuit and were very pleased with the outcome.
The first event of the DFL Cup Series got off to an odd start. Due to extreme conditions at the Tailwaters, the first event in the 2010 DFL Cup Series was moved to safer waters back in Bellbrook. The anglers didn’t disappoint. 9 anglers hit the waters and 7 scored fish. DFL Veteran Pete Ziehler outpaced Jim Jones ‘s 20 pt out put, including earning 17pts on the largest bass caught in DFL History – a 17 inch smallie) to catch 25 bass in 1 outing! What a record for both anglers.
Later in the year Jesse Jones set a world record that may never be broken! In the DFL #4 event DFL Vet Chris Fetterman and Pete Ziehler thought the 24 and 23 pts worth of fish they caught would finish them first and second. How wrong they were! Jason Ashworth and Tim Hill also and 23 pts worth fish but they still weren’t even in the TOP 4!!! Mike Hill reeled off 26 pts worth of fish but he wasn’t top dog either! Newcomer to the DFL Wendell Donathon had 44 pts of fish but this didn’t sniff at Jim Jones 62 pts worth of fish. BUT, What about Jesse Jones! He caught 4 fish over 18 inches and reeled of a DFL World Record 112, yes 112 pts!!! Unbelievable day! 330 or so pts scored by the 9 anglers there. Mark Jackson’s 7 pts was also a solid score.
The 2010 DFL Cup Series came down to the final event. Jesse Jones was leading his dad, Jim Jones by 7 points heading into the 2010 DFL Derby. Both dad and son spewed collective jabs and hit the water in quest for the 2010 DFL Cup Series points Title. What an outcome…. Jim Jones hit some channel cats early, much to his surprise, on way to a record 149 points. His first-place win vaulted him to the 2010 DFL Cup Point title, edging son Jesse 44 to 41 points. Jim also dethroned 3 time defending DFL Title Champion Pete Ziehler, whom finished second in the event.
The DFL also expanded to Michigan with Chriss Bussler and Pete Ziehler each splitting 4 events to claim co-MVP of the Mio Fishing League.
Chris Fetterman won the inaugural DFL Master Series(Fall League) winning all four events!
2011
+The most amazing thing happened in 2011. The DFL morphed into NAPRA and boy, did the league take off. With the inclusion of the first NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, the 2011 Wading League Classic, NAPRA became the largest and most renowned pro river fishing league in the nation. Tim Hill started the year off with a solid win at the Stillwater Horseshoe bend put in. Jesse Jones and Karl Halley won the next two events respectfully and were on pace to fight it out for the league title until hot shot rookie Dave Schaller won his first two DFL events. He won at Old Springfield and at the Tailwaters of the Little Miami. Claiming The DFL Derby for the first time was Chris Fetterman, whom edged Chris Sykes and Pete Ziehler to win the Derby.
Other highlights included fishing with a true river fishing legend, appearing at Gear Fest, and the Wading Classic. NAPRA members Pete Ziehler and Dave Schaller got a chance to fish with famous River Smallmouth Author Tim Holschlag mid August on the Stillwater River in Covington, Ohio. Tim taught NAPRA members and NAPRA Sponsor Johnny Stone techniques they can use to better the fishing game. At least 25 fish were caught including Dave’s monster 15 and 16 inchers! Thanks to Tim and his guide assistant Dan for all that they have done make river fishing such a great sport!
Fourteen of the top Anglers in the USA Bassin and NAPRA Circuits converged, October 22nd, on the Stillwater River in Covington to see whom is the best Angler in the Country! Past DFL Champs including Pete Ziehler, whom caught a 17″ whopper, Jesse Jones and Chris Fetterman competed against a very heavily packed field and found out one thing: Halley wouldn’t be stopped.
Karl “Voodo Man” Halley, as called by Graham Guttadore, managed to be the only angler to catch his limit and preceded to land 8.25 pounds of fish! Jesse Jones finished with 6.75 pounds, including the big bass of 18 inches(3.25 pounder) to finish a close second. Chris Fetterman managed 5.10 pounds followed by defending USA Bassin Ohio Circuit Champ Ziehler with 4.75 pounds.
+ NAPRA started in the summer of 2006 as the DFL, or Dayton Fishing League. Founder Pete Ziehler made many treks to fishing spots but never was able to share the fine spots that he discovered with anyone. He stumbled in late July of 2006 into Mike Baker, a fellow angler from Xenia, Ohio. Baker and Ziehler starting a partnership that eventually lead to the creation of the DFL. Mike Baker was declared DFL Cup Series Champion and Pete Ziehler won the First DFL Derby.
2007
+ The DFL grew from 2 members to 9 members and 10 solid sponsors, including initial sponsors K&E Stopper, Eagle Claw, and NBAA Bass. The first event nobody scored a fish! What a way to start! Joe Salmons will score two straight victories on his way to 2007 Rookie of the Year. Pete Ziehler scored 4 victories, including his second DFL Cup and DFL Derby Title.
2008
+ The DFL grew from 9 members to 12 and over 20 sponsors signed on the help the DFL grew. 2008 saw Rookie of the Year and DFL Derby Champion Chris Bussler changed the DFL forever with his slow paced, targeting wading. Chris Tracy was declared MVP while Pete Ziehler scored his third straight points championship.
2009
+The 2009 Dayton Fishing League DFL Cup Series was the most exciting in league history. The season started with quite a surprise. Newcomer Dan Amburgey(Kettering, Ohio) not only won the DFL Opener (held at the Little Miami Corwin site) but caught the biggest bass in DFL history to date, catching a massive 16″ bass! Later in the season, DFL Founder Pete Ziehler, in the 4 years of the league had never won on his home turf. Down roughly 8 points to 3 heading into the final hour, Ziehler hit a rock bass honey hole and scored 13 fish in the final hour. “Finally!” is all Ziehler could say.
During the course of the season current (as of 2021) members Pete Ziehler secured a win in the DFL #2 at the Mad River Urbana. In the only stop at MRU 10 anglers fished for 4 hours to get completely skunked. Ziehler on his last cast managed a 12” fish to sheepishly claim the victory. Charles Brannam, current Ohio Series member claimed the 3rd event while Ziehler claimed the 5th event of the year.
The Derby, the last event on the stop had a surprising start and even more amazing finish. Chris Tracy, the 2009 DFL Derby Champion, scored a 24 inch Catfish to give him 18 points off the bat. He preceded to score a DFL Record 37 points on way to his first DFL Derby Title. What a surprise!! The end of the Derby was even more shocking. Chris Bussler was ahead of Pete Ziehler by 2 points with 10 minutes to go. Ziehler preceded to watch Bussler score a 10 incher(3 point fish) and think that his 2009 DFL Cup Points Title was going to go in the dumper! Well, Ziehler scored 6 points(a 8″, 9″, 7″ and 13″) in the final 10 minutes and edged Bussler for 2nd place in the Derby and secured his 3rd DFL Cup Series title in a row. Chris Bussler and Chris Tracy, whom finished 2 and 4 points behind series in the Season points series, were named Co-Angler of the Year.
2010
+The biggest season to date started out as with the largest number of participants in DFL Opener History. DFL Veteran Chris Bussler outpaced rookies Jessie Jones and Tim Hill to win the event. Bussler scored 9 pts of the strength of 5 fish to secure the season opener. 17 anglers entered the 2010 circuit and were very pleased with the outcome.
The first event of the DFL Cup Series got off to an odd start. Due to extreme conditions at the Tailwaters, the first event in the 2010 DFL Cup Series was moved to safer waters back in Bellbrook. The anglers didn’t disappoint. 9 anglers hit the waters and 7 scored fish. DFL Veteran Pete Ziehler outpaced Jim Jones ‘s 20 pt out put, including earning 17pts on the largest bass caught in DFL History – a 17 inch smallie) to catch 25 bass in 1 outing! What a record for both anglers.
Later in the year Jesse Jones set a world record that may never be broken! In the DFL #4 event DFL Vet Chris Fetterman and Pete Ziehler thought the 24 and 23 pts worth of fish they caught would finish them first and second. How wrong they were! Jason Ashworth and Tim Hill also and 23 pts worth fish but they still weren’t even in the TOP 4!!! Mike Hill reeled off 26 pts worth of fish but he wasn’t top dog either! Newcomer to the DFL Wendell Donathon had 44 pts of fish but this didn’t sniff at Jim Jones 62 pts worth of fish. BUT, What about Jesse Jones! He caught 4 fish over 18 inches and reeled of a DFL World Record 112, yes 112 pts!!! Unbelievable day! 330 or so pts scored by the 9 anglers there. Mark Jackson’s 7 pts was also a solid score.
The 2010 DFL Cup Series came down to the final event. Jesse Jones was leading his dad, Jim Jones by 7 points heading into the 2010 DFL Derby. Both dad and son spewed collective jabs and hit the water in quest for the 2010 DFL Cup Series points Title. What an outcome…. Jim Jones hit some channel cats early, much to his surprise, on way to a record 149 points. His first-place win vaulted him to the 2010 DFL Cup Point title, edging son Jesse 44 to 41 points. Jim also dethroned 3 time defending DFL Title Champion Pete Ziehler, whom finished second in the event.
The DFL also expanded to Michigan with Chriss Bussler and Pete Ziehler each splitting 4 events to claim co-MVP of the Mio Fishing League.
Chris Fetterman won the inaugural DFL Master Series(Fall League) winning all four events!
2011
+The most amazing thing happened in 2011. The DFL morphed into NAPRA and boy, did the league take off. With the inclusion of the first NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, the 2011 Wading League Classic, NAPRA became the largest and most renowned pro river fishing league in the nation. Tim Hill started the year off with a solid win at the Stillwater Horseshoe bend put in. Jesse Jones and Karl Halley won the next two events respectfully and were on pace to fight it out for the league title until hot shot rookie Dave Schaller won his first two DFL events. He won at Old Springfield and at the Tailwaters of the Little Miami. Claiming The DFL Derby for the first time was Chris Fetterman, whom edged Chris Sykes and Pete Ziehler to win the Derby.
Other highlights included fishing with a true river fishing legend, appearing at Gear Fest, and the Wading Classic. NAPRA members Pete Ziehler and Dave Schaller got a chance to fish with famous River Smallmouth Author Tim Holschlag mid August on the Stillwater River in Covington, Ohio. Tim taught NAPRA members and NAPRA Sponsor Johnny Stone techniques they can use to better the fishing game. At least 25 fish were caught including Dave’s monster 15 and 16 inchers! Thanks to Tim and his guide assistant Dan for all that they have done make river fishing such a great sport!
Fourteen of the top Anglers in the USA Bassin and NAPRA Circuits converged, October 22nd, on the Stillwater River in Covington to see whom is the best Angler in the Country! Past DFL Champs including Pete Ziehler, whom caught a 17″ whopper, Jesse Jones and Chris Fetterman competed against a very heavily packed field and found out one thing: Halley wouldn’t be stopped.
Karl “Voodo Man” Halley, as called by Graham Guttadore, managed to be the only angler to catch his limit and preceded to land 8.25 pounds of fish! Jesse Jones finished with 6.75 pounds, including the big bass of 18 inches(3.25 pounder) to finish a close second. Chris Fetterman managed 5.10 pounds followed by defending USA Bassin Ohio Circuit Champ Ziehler with 4.75 pounds.
