Fishing News - 3/9/01
YOUTH FISHING PROGRAM CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY
NATION’S LARGEST KIDS FISHING PROGRAM CONTINUES EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE SPORT OF FISHING
KETCHUM, OK – Over six million served! That’s the theme at Hooked On Fishing International (HOFI), organizer of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program. From its beginning in 1987, 15 years ago, more than 6 million kids and family members have participated in the fishing derby program. The individual derby venues will number more than 700 in 2001, in all 50 states, and are hosted locally by parks and recreation departments, community service organizations, and state and federal agencies including the U. S. Forest Service.
The 2001 Kids All-American Fishing Derby program is for the second consecutive year under the title sponsorship of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Additional sponsors for the program include Berkley PowerBait, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Eagle Claw, FishingWorld.com, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, G3 Boats, Laker (Jadico), Pepsi, Southwest Airlines, Trilene, Water Gremlin and Zebco. Each child attending a local derby will receive souvenirs, supplies and more, complements of the sponsors.
The year 2001 program will feature:
Nationwide Frito-Lay/Pepsi "Kids Casting" Contest – Each youngster is allowed two casts at a target, with local winners receiving the reel and rod combo as their prize. All youngsters will have their name entered in a nationwide drawing , with a special prize being awarded to the grand prize winner. Zebco will provide the official reel and rod combos for each contest.
The Fujifilm "Big Fish" Contest – The youngster catching the largest fish at each derby receives an award certificate. State-level winners receive a Fujifilm QuickSnap 2-Pack Camera and an award certificate and are automatically entered into the national competition, with grand prize winners being determined for the largest freshwater fish and saltwater fish. Each national level winner will receive a special Fujifilm "Gift Basket" and a $500 savings bond.
All participants at each derby are encouraged to "Fish, Photograph and Release", as part of the new Fujifilm "FPR" Program. This new conservation initiative has been developed to encourage kids, age 16 and under, to catch a fish, have their picture taken with the catch, then release the fish back into the water. It’s an innovative way to get kids to try their hand at fishing and drives home the message about environmental preservation. Details of a special Fujifilm "FPR" Photo Contest will be made available to each youngster attending one of the Kids All-American Fishing Derbies.
The Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish" Contest: Every youngster catching a fish at a Kids All-American Fishing Derby event – any specie, any size – is eligible for this drawing. The youngster simply fills out an entry form which is returned to HOFI. The national grand prize winner, whose name will be drawn at the conclusion of all the derbies, will receive four round trip tickets to any Southwest Airlines published destination.
With events scheduled across the nation, Wal-Mart stores in select locations will partner to host these fishing derbies and will serve as a pre-registration site prior to the events. "In this our fifteenth year, we are pleased to have such an outstanding group of sponsors for our program," said Gordon Holland, HOFI spokesman.
"The corporate sponsors are helping to provide a fishing experience we’re sure the youngsters will remember for a life time." The philosophy of the 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.
Youngsters and adults alike are invited to visit the Kids All-American Fishing Derby web site at www.kids-fishing.com. Groups or agencies interested in receiving information about hosting a kids fishing derby in their community in 2002 should contact: Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349, fax: (918) 782-4324, or e-mail info@kids-fishing.com.
