Fishing News - 4/20/02
"DERBY LOCATOR" HELPS KIDS FIND NEAREST FISHING EVENT
Hooked On Fishing International Announces Web Site Upgrades To Help Match Young Anglers To Nearby Fishing Opportunities
KETCHUM, OK - Hooked on Fishing International has announced a newly-designed web site - www.kids-fishing.com -- to go with its expanded series of Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derbies.
Among the new features of the web site is a "Derby Locator" which HOFI says will match up young anglers with approximately 1,500 events. "We're growing so fast we had to find a way to match kids with events, and the Derby Locator is our matchmaker," said Gordon Holland, executive director.
"Simply go to the website and enter your zip code and the Derby Locator will search the database of derbies and list the nearest event, location, the name of the contact person and his or her phone number," said Holland.
Most of the derbies will be held during National Fishing and
Boating Week June 1-9. Young anglers will gather at fishing venues across the country, usually in the morning, and with help from their parents and adult volunteers, participate in casting and fishing activities. The half-day events are usually followed by food and beverage for the kids.Another feature of the revamped web site, Holland said, allows participants to locate the nearest Wal-Mart store. Wal-Mart, Inc. is the title sponsor of the popular series in all 50 states. HOFI puts on the youth fishing derbies with the financial and product help of its corporate sponsors.
Some sponsors put on special events within the derby format, said Holland. For example, Southwest Airlines sponsors the
"I Caught a Fish" contest. If a contestant catches a fish of any size it qualifies the young angler for a drawing for four round-trip tickets anywhere Southwest Airlines flies.The Fujifilm "Big Fish" Contest is for anglers age 16 and under. The largest fish by weight caught at each derby, with photo and application submitted, becomes eligible for state level competition. The big fish winner from each state receives a Fujifilm Quick-Snap 2-Pack. From all the state winners, a national Freshwater Champion and a national Saltwater Champion are chosen, with each receiving a $500 savings bond and a Fujifilm "Gift Basket."
In the Frito-Lay/Pepsi/Zebco Casting Contest, participants simply cast at targets with rods and reels provided by Zebco. Local prizes vary but every local winner will receive an award certificate and a reel and rod combo from Zebco.
All participants regardless of casting skills are eligible to enter
the nationwide drawing for a fantastic stock car-styled Go-Kart provided by Frito-Lay and Pepsi.Now in its 16th year, Hooked on Fishing International produces the events with on-site support from local adult volunteers, many from organizations such as state fish and game
departments, the U.S. Forest Service, parks and recreation departments, chambers of commerce, YMCAs, Optimists, Lions, Kiwanis, and Elks.In addition to title sponsor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., additional sponsors include Bar-S Foods, Berkley PowerBait, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Eagle Claw, EverStart Batteries, FishingWorld.com, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm U.S.A., Jadico (Laker), Kellogg’s, Pepsi, Pradco Outdoor Brands (Heddon/Rebel), Strike King Lure Co.,
Southwest Airlines, Trilene, and Zebco.Adult groups interested in organizing a local derby in 2003 can get information from the HOFI web site - www.kids-fishing.com, or by requesting information via email at info@kids-fishing.com, or by writing Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349.
