Contests "Lure" Young Anglers To Nationwide Fishing Events

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This is a free public service announcement for nation-wide events and activities for parents and their children.

DISNEY, OK.---A record number of contests and activities appealing to both youngsters and their parents will be offered at more than 1,100 fishing derby locations in 49 states in 1998. The events are staged by the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Tracker Marine Kids All-American Fishing Derby program, in its 12th year of educating and entertaining the outdoor-oriented families of America. The projected attendance for the events will be in excess of 500,000 children ages 6-16, parents, family members and volunteer organizers.

The majority of the events will take place during National Fishing Week, June 1-7, 1998, and are hosted by parks and recreation departments, community service organizations and state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Forest Service. It is estimated that volunteers number nearly 18,000 in staging and supervising the events on the local level, with organizational instructions and assistance provided by Hooked on Fishing International, the founding organization of the nationwide program. Locations of derby sites, as well as entertaining and educational outdoor activities for kids, will be listed on Bass Pro Shops kids' web-site at www.outdoorkids.net. Among the special contests in 1998 are:

Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest -- The youngster catching the largest fish at each derby receives a certificate and a Golden Rule measuring tool, and is automatically eligible for state level recognition. The angler with the largest fish from each state then is entered into national competition, with a grand prize winner being determined both for the largest freshwater and saltwater fish. Each national level winner will receive a Tracker Bantam 3X Fishing Boat.

Zebco Kids Casting Contest -- Zebco will provide the official reel and rod combos for each contest. Youngsters take two casts at the target, with local event winners receiving the Zebco combo as their prize. All youngsters participating in the event will have their name put in a nationwide drawing for the grand prize of four round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to any Southwest Airlines published destination.

Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish" Contest -- Every youngster attending a Kids All-American Fishing Derby event, and catching a fish, is eligible for this drawing any fish, any size. The youngster simply fills out an entry form. The national grand prize winner, whose name will be drawn at the conclusion of all the derbies, will receive four round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to any Southwest Airlines published destination.

There are even two derby "specials" for parents in attendance. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World is sponsoring a "parents only" contest whereby the parent fills out an entry form for a two-stage drawing. Lucky parents on the local level will receive a special lure kit. Entries nationwide then go into a drawing, and the lucky winner will have a choice of a Big Cedar Lodge vacation at Branson, Missouri, or a $300 Bass Pro Shops Catalog Gift Certificate. Roads to Adventure Magazine also is giving away free to each parent a three-month's subscription to its magazine geared for family camping and recreational vehicle fun. Free samples of the magazine will also be available at the derby events.

Each youngster attending a derby will go home with a souvenir decal and plastic bag, compliments of the national sponsors American Rod & Gun, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Berkley, Gator Grip, Roads to Adventure Magazine, Southwest Airlines, TNN Outdoors, Tracker Marine and Zebco.

The philosophy of the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Tracker Marine Kids All-American Fishing Derby is to introduce all youngsters and their families to an appreciation and respect for the environment, through conservation methods encouraged by means of hands-on participation in the outdoors and the sport of fishing. Agencies or organizations interested in hosting a derby should contact Hooked on Fishing International, P. O. Box 249, Disney, OK 74340, or fax (918) 782-4324.