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Top 10 Products That Transformed an American Pastime Courtesy of PRNewswire - Ten influential fishing products created over the past 75 years -. from rods to reels to electronics -. have helped make fishing the great sport it is today, according to a new survey from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). ASA, the sportfishing industry's trade association, today released the country's first top ten list of the items that have changed the way people fish, as determined by a survey of the nation's most avid anglers. The Anglers' Legacy Innovations Awards were unveiled at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the world's largest annual sportfishing trade show. More than 7,000 members of the sportfishing community are gathered in Las Vegas to see the latest innovations in gear and accessories. "We're thrilled to be commemorating the way that fishing has endured as one of America's favorite pastimes," said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. "The sport has touched the lives of so many people, thanks to the number of great inventions that have revolutionized angling over the past seven and a half decades." ASA partnered
with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to survey
the foundation's thousands of Anglers' Legacy Ambassadors, the country's
most avid anglers, who voted for the products they feel have been
most instrumental in shaping the sport over the past seven and a
half decades.
Top 10 Tips from BoatUS for Getting the Most From a Tank of Gas With boaters facing record high fuel prices this summer Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has a few tips that could help stretch their fuel dollars:
Second Wave of Professional Anglers Association Auctions Posted on EBay
These
limited edition collectors' items can be found at http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/fishpaa BoatUS ANGLER Insurance Pays Cash To Be On Your Web Site Web Site Link Offers Commission -- BoatUS Angler, which offers special boat insurance policies for fishermen, is offering cash to fishing clubs, guides, charter operators, tackle retailers, bait shops, or any boating or fishing related business or organization with a Web site. By putting a BoatUS Angler boat insurance quote "button," or Web site link on your fishing or boating Web site, the new BoatUS Angler Affiliate Program will pay a commission of $4 for every completed insurance application that's generated. "It's very simple to set up and an easy way to earn money," said Mike Pellerin, Director of BoatUS Angler, a membership and services program from the 650,000-member Boat Owners Association of The United States. To start earning revenue, go to Commission Junction at cj.com click on "Publishers," then scroll down to "Apply for a Commission Junction Publisher Account." Once the online application is completed and submitted, you'll receive e-mail notification within 72 hours confirming your acceptance into the BoatUS Angler Affiliate Program. Then all you have to do is follow the simple instructions in the e-mail to post the BoatUS Angler boat insurance quote link on your Web site. Commission Junction keeps track of all of the insurance applications generated from your site and pays you directly by check or direct deposit. Currently, there are over 200 fishing and boating sites enrolled in the program. For a free brochure on the BoatUS Angler Affiliate Program, e-mail Megan Hale at MHale@BoatUS.com .
BoatUS ANGLER helps sponsor Nation's River Bass Tournament in Washington DC The BoatUS ANGLER crew, Porky Leitch, Sonja Lowe and Dina Murray, were on hand to teach some boating safety tips to the kids. Each group that stopped by the BoatUS ANGLER station took turns playing the "PFD Toss" - designed to show kids how to toss a PFD to a person who has fallen overboard; and the "Life Jacket Relay Race" - to demonstrate how to quickly don a life jacket and snap it securely. It was hard to tell who had more fun - the kids or the ANGLER crew.
Each student who fished was outfitted with a PFD from BoatUS Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Program and a BoatUS ANGLER fishing towel. TowBoatUS Potomac Marine's Terry Hill was on hand to offer assistance to the boater's. The Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region and the Discovery Creek Children's Museum hosted the tournament to recognize the Potomac River as an important cultural, economic and learning resource for youth and the community. More than 200 students enjoyed hands-on activities and demonstrations at National Harbor's West Pier. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff provided wildlife tattoos for children and a variety of educational materials and games.
“It's great to see these kids involved in conservation and enjoying the outdoors,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall, who served as Honorary Chairman for the tournament. “Fifty years from now, they will be the ones protecting these natural resources.” Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation President and CEO Frank Peterson and staff also attended the event, along with a host of celebrities, elected officials, professional bass anglers and corporate sponsors. For more information on the tournament, visit www.nationsriver.org For
more information for on Living Classroom, please contact
Mari Lou Livingood:
BoatUS ANGLER Offers Fishing Tournament Sponsorships BoatUS ANGLER, which offers services, discounts, safety programs and fishing information, is now a sponsor in more than 350 freshwater fishing tournaments across the country - and is looking to support more. But time may be running out for tournament directors to get in on the BoatUS ANGLER tournament sponsorship program. "We are interested in supporting freshwater tournaments, no matter if it's bass, trout, walleye, crappie or catfish," said BoatUS ANGLER Director Mike Pellerin. "However, we only have a limited number remaining and are offering them first-come, first-served." "As a sponsor, we're offering annual BoatUS ANGLER memberships that come with 'unlimited' on-the-water towing (freshwater) as well as a roadside assistance plan that unlike other auto clubs, covers both the boat trailer and tow vehicle," added Pellerin. Also included in BoatUS ANGLER membership is a subscription to the new BoatUS ANGLER Magazine as well as discounts on fuel, repairs and ramp rebates at BoatUS Cooperating Marinas, shopping discounts at West Marine stores and more. Each membership package is worth $63, a nice addition to a tournament's list of prizes. "While we'd prefer to have our BoatUS ANGLER membership prizes go to the angler who catches the biggest fish, we know that tournament needs differ and we'll do whatever makes the most sense," said Pellerin. In addition, participating tournaments will be listed on the Tournament and Event Locator at http://www.boatusangler.com/calendar Tournament directors may apply for BoatUS ANGLER sponsorship consideration by emailing Penny Leitch at PLeitch@BoatUS.com "Once a tournament has been approved, we'll send a complete package with everything inside, including promotional items and the complimentary BoatUS ANGLER membership certificate that's very simple for the winner to redeem," said Pellerin. "Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for tournament directors."
CA - Boats kept from Santa Clara County waters over mussels MORGAN
HILL, CA - Some boaters are being kept out of the water as inspectors
at Santa Clara County lakes hunt for signs of invasive mussels hitching
a ride.
$15,000+ Fish On The Loose In The Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries Annapolis, Maryland -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources kicked off the Diamond Jim portion of the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge yesterday aboard the Blind Faith charter boat by releasing specially tagged striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay.
"Whether you may be a first
time, veteran, visiting or resident angler, Maryland's annual fishing
challenge encourages people from all walks of life to get outdoors
by going fishing with their friends and children this summer," said
Governor Martin O'Malley. "We hope that grandfathers and grandmothers,
fathers and mothers, and aunts and uncles take time to pass down
their fishing tips and favorite spots to their children this summer,
so they too can enjoy, learn about, benefit from and become responsible
stewards of our State's diverse natural resources."
One genuine and 20 imposter specially tagged Diamond Jim striped bass were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries this week. If a lucky angler catches the genuine Diamond Jim by midnight on June 30, he or she will win $10,000 cash courtesy of Boater's World and a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers in Timonium. Anglers catching Diamond Jim imposters will receive a $500 Boater's World gift card. If the genuine Diamond Jim striped bass is not caught before midnight June 30, 2008, he becomes an imposter fish, worth $500 and the July genuine Diamond Jim's cash value increases to $20,000. "We are thrilled with the tremendous participation and interest already shown by anglers in this year's contest," said Eric Schwaab, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Deputy Secretary. "We hope that the release of Diamond Jim further encourages those that have not yet entered to take part in the summer-long challenge."
Designed to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize
angler efforts and inspire environmental stewardship, the 2008
Maryland Fishing Challenge began April 12 and will run through
Labor Day, September 1, 2008. Any angler who catches a citation-qualifying
fish and enters the challenge may win one of the official grand
prizes. To date, more than 800 anglers have qualified to win one
of the grand prizes, including a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 pickup
truck from Central Atlantic Toyota, a boat and trailer package
from Bass Pro Shops and $5,000 in fishing gear from Bill's Outdoor
Center.
Productive
Post-Spawn Bite Awaits Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers on Kentucky
Lake In the
homestretch of the 2008 season, the Bassmaster Elite Series makes
its eighth stop in Gilbertsville, Ky., for the Bluegrass Brawl presented
by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®, June 12-15 on Kentucky
Lake.
ArmyBassAnglers and Skeeter Partner to Fight for a Cause Support. Defend. Fish. Courtesy of Skeeter Products, Inc
When you're in a combat zone you have lots of time to think about the things you have, and have not, accomplished," says Roberson, who formed the team with Sergeant First Class, retired, Don Bailey. ArmyBassAnglers consists of eight pro staff anglers, and three reserves, all of which are active duty soldiers in the U.S. Army. "We fish in the toughest team tournaments by design, because the "buddy system" is something that has been instilled in all of us during combat," says Roberson. The group of anglers is currently fishing the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Bass Champs. While
ArmyBassAnglers was only formed two years ago, the organization
has made a tremendous impact on the two charities it supports, including
Returning Heroes Home and Fishing for Freedom. ~~~~ Anyone interested in learning more about ArmyBassAnglers, Returning Heroes Home or Fishing For Freedom, or making a contribution, can visit www.armybassanglers.com Skeeter Products, Inc. makes fishing and boating fun and rewarding with owner's tournaments, tournament incentives, and a top-notch dealer network. To order a catalog call (800) SKEETER, or visit www.skeeterboats.com
Even The Best Boat Trailers Will Have Problems If Neglected Courtesy of BoatUS News
ALEXANDRIA,
VA, May 1, 2008 -- Few boat owners or anglers with fishing boats
think about their boat trailers until something goes wrong. But
this out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude unfortunately leads to problems
that a little planning and attention could have helped prevent.
BoatUS Launches Fundraiser to Expand Life Jacket Loaner Program
"When boaters or anglers bring young guests aboard, they may not have the right-sized life jacket or a child may have outgrown their old jacket, so the youngster is sometimes put in one that is too big, or worse, goes without one," said BoatUS Foundation Program Manager Ted Sensenbrenner. "Putting a kid in an ill-fitting jacket can be dangerous. Once in the water, small children can easily slip out of them.” Established in 1997, the Life Jacket Loaner Program loans out life jackets more than 50,000 times a year on average - typically for a day or a weekend. These life jackets have given thousands of parents the peace of mind of knowing that their children are wearing correctly fitting life jackets, and have been directly responsible for saving at least three lives. Sensenbrenner adds that since many states, as well as the Federal government, now require children to wear life jackets, the loaner program has also helped many families caught unaware of such requirements. Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation to help grow the Life Jacket Loaner Program can do so online at http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation . They can also respond by mail to: BoatUS Foundation, c/o Life Jacket Loaner Program, 880 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304. A donation of just $10 will buy one vest-style life jacket; $250 will create a completely new, fully stocked loaner site. The $50,000 fundraising drive will also help replenish life jackets at some existing locations.
OHIO - State fishing for young anglers Courtesy of the Ironton tribune SANDUSKY
— Concerned about the declining number of people fishing, Ohio’s
wildlife leaders are handing out free fishing poles to kids and
teaching them how to snag a walleye.
RFA Proposes Federal Salmon Stamp in Response to Fishery Crisis Courtesy of the Recreational Fishing Alliance Sacramento , CA ---In response to the emergency closure of salmon fishing on the West Coast, the Recreational Fishing Alliance has announced a proposal for a Federal Salmon Stamp, modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp, which has raised over $600 million for wildlife habitat conservation since 1934. "There are no short-term solutions to the Pacific salmon collapse described by Pacific Fishery Management Council Chairman, Don Hansen, as a 'disaster'," said RFA's Executive Director Jim Donofrio. "The Pacific Northwest will never return to pre-Lewis & Clark environmental conditions. The future depends on anglers and everyone interested in healthy salmon runs stepping to the plate and making sustained and significant contributions to the restoration of coastal salmon populations critical to U.S. fisheries." A coastal Salmon Stamp costing $15 for recreational anglers and $150 for commercial fishermen would raise millions for salmon restoration and habitat conservation. Funds raised by the stamp will be used for:
VMRC Takes Decisive Action to Restore Crabs Courtesy of the Coastal Conservation Association Virginia After
watching the Bay's blue crab population plunge to dangerously low
levels, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved stringent
new crab harvest rules at their April 22 meeting in Newport News
. The new regulations followed a long and often emotional hearing.
Four CCA VA members spoke in favor of the need to conserve and restore
the crab population.
All
the measures passed on a 7-2 vote, with board members Ernest L.
Bowden Jr. and F. Wayne McLeskey dissenting. Board member John McConaugha
summed up the prevailing attitude, "Failure to act, and act now,
is probably the worst thing we can do." The CCA is largest marine conservation organization in America with over 96,000 members dedicated to the stewardship of coastal fisheries. They are saltwater anglers working to assure abundant marine resources for this and coming generations. For more information visit http://www.ccavirginia.org/
NORTH CAROLINA - Recreational fishing group seeks net ban
The state chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance is calling
for a ban on fishing nets in what the group describes as "non-coastal
waters."
Tips On Buying Fishing Boat Insurance From The Nation's Largest Association Of Recreational Boaters
BoatUS ANGLER is a membership program that's part of the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers. With that in mind, it recommends that anglers should ask these five questions when shopping for insurance for their fishing boats:
BoatUS ANGLER offers insurance policies specifically designed to meet the needs of today's anglers with fishing boats, including coverage for accidents with non-insured boaters, medical coverage for injuries, as well as salvage costs related to the recovery of a sunk or totaled boat. Visit http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or call 866-532-1829 for more information
No
West Coast Salmon Fishing Season as California State officials ban
salmon fishing off coast
The state Fish & Game Commission agreed Tuesday to join
federal officials in banning salmon fishing this year in coastal
waters off California. The commission voted to ban sport and commercial
salmon fishing in state waters, the fishing grounds within three
miles of shore, through April 2009.
GREAT LAKES - Fishing excursions to require passports Story by Mimi Hall, courtesy of USA Today Rick Ungar's charter fishing service promises a great time on Lake Erie. But there's a catch - and it's not freshwater fish. It's the Homeland Security Department's new anti-terrorism rules. When the 2008 charter season begins next month, U.S. citizens paying to fish on Lake Erie will have to bring either a passport or two other IDs if they plan to cross the northern border's invisible watery line. When they get back to shore in the United States, they'll have to drive to a local government reporting station and pose for pictures. They won't be posing with their fish, but for customs officers via a videophone connection. That's because half of Lake Erie - as it happens, the half with the deeper and cooler waters that often spawn the best fishing - is in Canada. The Homeland Security Department intends to enforce new border security rules - largely focused on those coming into the country by land and air - on fishermen re-entering the country. Ungar and many of his fellow charter boat captains - Lake Erie alone has 600-plus - are incensed. They say the rules are difficult to follow, will dramatically cut down on tourism and won't protect against terrorism. "How does this secure our country?" asks Ungar, a retired Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio, police chief. "I'm not insensitive to law enforcement issues, but these are fishermen, for God's sake." The rules apply to all the Great Lakes. Read More
Virginia Pro Inks Deal with BoatU.S. Story by Pete Robbins - Photo by Mark Jeffreys
"They
offer a neat service that no one else really has. It's basically
like AAA for your boat."
Boaters need legislators to act quickly on newly-introduced "Clean Boating Act of 2008" Bi-partisan
legislation would permanently restore Clean Water Act exemption
for recreational boats
Because of a lawsuit targeting ocean-going commercial vessels carrying ballast water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to implement an “operational discharge permit” for all vessels in the United States – including recreational boats – by September 30, 2008. Without a change in law, all boaters will need to obtain this permit, as early as this summer.
However, with a possible Senate vote in the next few months, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is urging recreational boaters to quickly contact their Senate and House legislators to support The Clean Boating Act of 2008.
S. 2766 was introduced on Thursday, March 13 by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). It follows two bills originally introduced in the spring and fall of 2007 as “The Recreational Boating Act of 2007" (H.R. 2550/S. 2067) by Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Senator Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).
“Sens. Boxer and Nelson's bill now has the best chance of gaining widespread political support. As a result, we need every boater, every angler, and anyone who uses a boat to contact their senators and representatives to ask for their support of this bill,” said BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. “S. 2766 recognizes the fact that normal operational discharges from recreational boats, such as engine cooling water or deck runoff from rain, should not be viewed under the Clean Water Act as being similar to a commercial ship's ballast water,” said Podlich. “This bill does not weaken any existing environmental laws restricting the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, or sewage.” S. 2766 also requires the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard to investigate the need for potential management practices for some recreational boat discharges over the next three years. Each step in this development process will include a public comment period and be subject to “reasonable and practical” criterion.
“BoatU.S. has been working with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and other groups o seek a viable recreational boating solution to the upcoming September permit deadline. We appreciate the leadership shown by members of Congress who understand that applying a new permit to recreational boating will not accomplish anything tangible, and will only create a new unnecessary bureaucracy, ” added Podlich.
To help boaters contact their federal legislators or learn more about the issue, go to http://www.BoatBlue.org or http://www.BoatUS.com/gov For more information on Invasive Species, visit BoatUS Foundation, or US Fish & Wildlife
Join today to receive your copy! The first issue of BoatU.S. ANGLER Magazine is here! The fledgling 8-page newsletter that was part of BoatU.S. Trailering Magazine is now a 52-page, full-feature magazine. The Spring issue represents the first of a 3-issue series for 2008. Inside you will find the latest BoatUS Association News as well as fishing and boating information from the experts. The magazine offers a multi-species approach including bass, walleye and crappie fishing as well as inshore saltwater species. You will find do-it-yourself projects from DIY Boat Owner Magazine as well as information on destinations and trailering tips from BoatU.S. Trailering Magazine. Also included will be risk avoidance articles from Seaworthy Magazine as well as safety and environmental information from BoatUS Foundation. Along with the unique offering of multi-species fishing information and boating/trailering information, the magazine will provide information on the many services that BoatUS and BoatUSANGLER have to offer the inland fishing market. A subscription to BoatU.S. ANGLER Magazine is included as part of BoatUS ANGLER Membership - currently only $19.00 per year - along with our many other benefits. To find out more, Click Here.
courtesy of Berkley Fishing Wire Berkley
has announced a new program to aid the National Collegiate Bass
Fishing Championship. Sponsored awards include, Collegiate Team
of the Year, College Big Bag Awards and the Berkley Conservation
Institute College Angler of the Year. “The
National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship is thrilled to have
Berkley as sponsors,” Wade Middleton, Lead Coordinator of NCBFC,
said. “Berkley continuously promotes youth involvement in the
fishing sport and their support backs that claim.” BoatUS ANGLER Membership Program Now Offers Affordable On-the-Water Help for Great Lakes Fishermen
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12, 2008 -- When the engine dies, the cranking battery goes dead and you need a tow back to the boat launch ramp, most anglers will tell you they can call a friend for help. But if you're on the open water of the Great Lakes, are you willing to gamble that your fishing buddies will always be there to bail you out of trouble? BoatUS ANGLER, a membership program that offers water and roadside towing services for trailer boat anglers, has taken that worry away by now offering "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans on the Great Lakes. Similar to roadside auto clubs that provide assistance to motorists, 24 hour a day on-the-water help is now just a VHF radio or cell phone call away for just $34 a year - plus $19 annual BoatUS ANGLER membership - for a combined total of just $53 annually. Services are provided by the largest on-the-water towing fleet on the Great Lakes, TowBoatUS, with 40 towing ports. This low cost on-the-water towing plan is also available to any angler on inland, freshwater waterways lakes and rivers in the US. VESSEL ASSIST, a TowBoatUS sister towing fleet, provides on-the-water assistance in select western US states. In addition to TowBoatUS and VESSEL ASSIST, BoatUS' network of thousands of independent towing responders, such as local marinas, boat storage and repair facilities, also render assistance. Every TowBoatUS and VESSEL ASSIST towboat is equipped to handle fuel drop offs, battery jumps, soft un groundings and tows back to the launch ramp. And, unlike fishing boat insurance policies that provide for on-the-water towing services, having an annual towing plan from BoatUS ANGLER means that if you need to use the service, it won't count as an insurance claim against you. Why Anglers Need Roadside Help If you trailer your fishing boat, anglers should know that most roadside auto clubs won't service boat trailers, and the few that do charge well over $150 a year. They also don't include launch ramp winching service. With BoatUS ANGLER's "Unlimited" roadside tow vehicle and boat trailer towing for an additional $10 annually, your fishing rig will never be left sitting alone on the shoulder of a highway or stuck on a slippery ramp. Up to 100 miles of tow vehicle and boat trailer on-the-road towing to the nearest safe location or repair facility is included. The BoatUS network of 20,000+ roadside towers across the country have expertise in handling boat trailer breakdowns and also provide lock-out assistance, flat tire, battery jump and launch ramp winching service. Flat tire assistance at an angler's home or storage facility is also included and launch ramp fee rebates and subscriptions to both BoatUS ANGLER Magazine and BoatUS Trailering magazine are part of the package.For More Information Click Here.
A Howard County angler caught Maryland's
biggest largemouth bass last weekend in the Spoils area of the
Potomac just above Wilson Bridge in Prince George's County.
VIRGINIA
BEACH - A Chesapeake fisherman hauled in a 73-pound striped bass
on Wednesday, easily the biggest ever caught in Virginia and one
of the biggest ever registered in the United States.
BountyFishing.com Opens BountyRecords Challenge
LEWISVILLE, Texas (Sept. 29, 2007) - It was a traditional collegiate national championship showdown with teams from the Big 10, Big 12, WAC, Sun Belt and SEC athletic conferences in final contention for the title. It was the sport that was somewhat non-traditional but one that is rapidly gaining in stature. This was bass fishing, and the event took place on Lake Lewisville just a short drive from downtown Dallas. The Texas A&M team of Justin Rackley and Trevor Knight caught four keeper fish today, bass of at least 14-inches in length, to have a final weight of 7.60 pounds to take the national title home to College Station in the second annual BoatUS National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. It was just enough to edge out Western Kentucky's team of Adam Hock and Nathan Baum, who had 6.72 pounds for the day. “To win this is awesome,” said Knight. “We knew by late morning that this was a tough day and we were nervous about being one fish short of a limit.” “And we fished hard,” Rackley added. “We caught lots of short fish today, so we stayed optimistic about another keeper fish right up until weigh-in time. We're proud to take this national title back to A&M.” The
pair went on to say they caught two of their fish today on a small
finesse soft plastic worm, one on a white tube and one on a jig.
Their biggest fish of the day, a 3-pounder, was the first keeper
caught and it came around 8 a.m. The final keeper was caught about
12:30 p.m. Rounding out the top five teams who advanced to the third and final day of the championship were: 3rd place - the University of Alabama team of Rusty Jones and Daniel Statum; 4th place – University of Wisconsin – Madison's Derek and Drew Frederixon; and 5th place - Louisiana Tech's Chase Cates and Blake Snow. The five teams had qualified for the final round by having the highest cumulative weights after the first two days of competition. Their weights were zeroed to start the last day. Click Here to watch last season's tournament online &n |
Benton,
Kentucky - In May, the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) posted
several items on the popular auction site, EBay as a fundraiser
for PAA and Catch-A-Dream; the official charity of the PAA.
The
2008 Nation's River Bass Tournament involved 35 sponsors and partners,
40 boats and anglers, serving over 200 students from Montgomery
County, MD, Fairfax County, VA and Washington, D.C. Fifty volunteers
donated their time to support the on-water and land-based activities
focused on boating, fishing, and the local environment. This event
raised over $40,000 in educational program support for Living Classrooms
& Discovery Creek, non-profit organizations. This will support
hands-on educational programming in the Washington, D.C. region
to connect under served youth to their outdoor natural environments.
While
all of the activities were going on at the National Harbor, BoatUS
ANGLER Director Mike Pellerin was out on the water with
Chenoble, a youngster from Laurel, MD, and Maryland Bass Federation
President, Roger Trageser, and they managed to catch a few fish.
It was Chenoble's first experience on a boat and his first time
fishing. 
Since
1996, more than 70 schools from the Washington D.C. area have participated
in the “Schools in Schools” shad restoration program. Through the
student's efforts more than 200,000 shad fry have been released
into the Potomac. In addition to raising and releasing shad, students
are cleaning up their schoolyards and area streams to improve the
waterways for their returning fish, participating in trash pickups,
planting trees, and building rain gardens. 
KILGORE,
Texas -- Following his last return home to the States four years
ago from a tour in Iraq, Army Major Cody Roberson knew it was time
to make his dreams of becoming a professional bass angler come true,
thus forming the ArmyBassAnglers, a group of active duty soldiers
who share his passion for fishing and supporting fellow military
personnel.
The BoatUS Foundation, which has infant, toddler and children's
life jackets on loan at more than 350 locations nationwide, has
launched a campaign to raise $50,000 in additional funds to establish
new loaner locations at marinas, boat ramps, waterside resorts,
boat clubs, bait shops, towboats, fire houses and other public facilities.
BoatUS will provide partial funding for the campaign. 
Dove
Insures Future with BoatU.S. ANGLER
WASHINGTON, DC, March 19, 2008 – A newly introduced Senate bill,
“The Clean Boating Act of 2008” (S. 2766) promises to be a practical
solution to a looming permit deadline for recreational boaters,
anglers, and charter boats. 
Berkley
Hooks Up with National Collegiate Bass Fishing 
Record
Largemouth Bass Caught in Potomac Above Wilson Bridge
BountyFishing,
THE online fishing community and home of the "World's Largest Fishing
Tournament" is offering its members the potential to win weekly
cash rewards for breaking the BountyRecords for any of the open
species. See the Current Record holders below and go to 
Texas
A & M Take 2007 National Collegiate 