Bassmaster Elite Returns to Pasquotank River After Nearly 50 Years — Thanks to Visionary Leadership of Nosakhere Kamau
- Nosakhere Kamau
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Elizabeth City, NC — April 4, 2025
After nearly five decades, the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series is making a historic return to the Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound.
(https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/power-fishing-big-bass-extravaganza-expected-at-pasquotank-river-albemarle-sound-elite/ )
The tournament, scheduled for April 10–13, 2025, promises to be a landmark event for Elizabeth City and the surrounding region — and it simply would not have been possible without the foresight and determination of Nosakhere Kamau.
As the former Executive Director of Visit Elizabeth Cityhttps://visitelizabethcity.com/ ,
Kamau was the driving force behind the idea to reintroduce the Bassmaster Elite Series to the waters of northeastern North Carolina. His early efforts, persistent pursuit, and strategic advocacy sparked the initial conversations and laid the groundwork for what will be one of the region’s most high-profile sporting events in decades.
While attending the Major League Fishing’s Pro Bass Tour tournament on the Chowan River back in June of 2024 with Kenneth Wallace (Local Bass Fishing organizer); Kamau’s goal was to evaluate & gain insight on how the tournament was designed & structured. It was during this time Kamau made Wallace aware that upon his research, it had been approximately 50 years since The Albemarle/Pasquotank River had hosted a Bassmasters Elite Series (1975) & that he would be reaching out to Bassmasters officials to shed light on the historic significance of reintroducing it back to the region in 2025. Unfortunately this was not mentioned by Wallace or ECPCTDA(Elizabeth City Pasquotank County Tourism Development Authority) officials during an interview with Daily Advance’s Managing Editor, Julian Eire back in September 6th of last year.
“This is not a knock on the ECPCTDA or Ken says Kamau. I believe the TDA is under excellent leadership currently with Holly Audette. I also believe Ken to be a spiritual man & a good human being with a tremendous passion for the sport of fishing & I’m thankful he allowed me to join him during the 2024 MLF tournament held on The Chowan River. I’m also appreciative of the TDA & his work towards getting the Bassmasters Elite Series tournament reintroduced back to our region. I learned a great deal from Ken. However, Ken had no idea of the historical significance or that 50 years had passed since the last Bassmasters Elite Series was held in our region until I shared it with him”.
Nosakhere Kamau played a pivotal role in reviving the vision of bringing the Bassmaster Elite back to the Pasquotank River. His passion for the region’s potential and his unwavering dedication opened doors that had been closed for nearly 50 years.
The Bassmaster Elite Series is expected to draw top anglers from around the country, along with national media coverage and significant tourism revenue for the area. But beyond the economic impact, the event stands as a testament to the power of vision, leadership, and local advocacy — qualities embodied by Kamau during his short tenure with Visit Elizabeth City.
As Elizabeth City prepares to welcome anglers, fans, and national attention next week, the community also should take a moment & show some love to the man whose belief in the region’s promise turned a bold idea into a historic reality.
댓글