Fishing News - 8/10/00

        From BASS

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse World Championship Fishing Returns to Illinois

MT. VERNON, Ill.--Hot on the heels of a spectacular kickoff to the 2000 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse World Championship Fishing schedule in Monroe, La., the series is poised to return to the site of its inaugural event at Rend Lake on August 11-13. W.C.F. combines the traditional fishing tournament with a boat-handling concept that is completely new to tournament fishing The 16 anglers will be competing for a share of $235,000.

The inclusion of the boat-handling allows the event to bring a level of excitement to spectators that has never been seen before. 16 select anglers from the BASSMASTER Tournament trail will make timed runs along a course that simulates some of the hazards that an angler can encounter during a day on the water.  "We can only imagine the crowds that we will see this year, " said W.C.F. Director of Competition Don Corkran. "Last year in the inaugural event we drew 38,000 fans over three days. We expect that we will see at least as many this time."

The unique concept of the W.C.F. has 16 pro anglers fishing three different fisheries over the course of competition. During the course of the event anglers will test their skills on Crab Orchard Lake, Carlyle Lake and Rend Lake. This concept forces anglers to fish aggressively with only six hours on each of the three fisheries. 

"I can't wait to fish these three lakes," said Gary Klein, winner of last year's W. C. F. event at Rend Lake. "The three fisheries in Illinois allow me to focus on my strengths."  Last weekend in Monroe, La., two-time Angler of the Year Mark Davis used the strength of a 30 pound, 11 ounce stringer to take the fishing and overall championships and take home $75,000.

         B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.

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