Fishing Trips of a Lifetime Entice Anglers to Make a Difference in the 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon
OutdoorHub 07.07.11
Nebraska City, NE – Anglers will fish around the clock and across North America this September to raise awareness of the problems facing our waters in the 2011 Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon presented by Scheels and Griffin Fishing Charters.
There’s a carrot at the end of the stick for the anglers, too — unforgettable fishing trips as prizes. The team that raises the most money will get first choice of trips, and the team that has the most successful 24 hours on the water will take a second trip. There are three epic adventures to choose from.
One team will go to Lafitte, Louisiana, courtesy of Griffin Fishing Charters, where members will enjoy an unforgettable trip to the world-renowned Mississippi River Delta. Feasting on the finest local cuisine and casting to redfish, speckled trout and other local species, their two days of guided fishing will focus on this rich ecosystem that has as much to offer as ever, as demonstrated by the record-breaking results at the 2011 Bassmaster Classic held there earlier this spring.
“My wife Belinda and I are happy to support conservation efforts in any way we can,” said Capt. Raymond Griffin. “We really were not sure last year at this time if our 15-year run was over due to the BP spill, but not only did we not get any oil here in our area, the fishing has been great for redfish from 2 to 30 pounds, just 30 minutes south of New Orleans, Louisiana. This remains one of the most productive areas in the world!”
Another team will choose between a North Woods trip to Minnesota’s Spring Bay Resort on Lake Vermillion and a trip to the Rocky Mountains for a float with FishTales Outfitting and Buckin’ Trout Ranch, with travel costs covered by Scheels. This will be the third year for a Spring Bay getaway, and a first for FishTales Outfitting.
“We decided to do a late summer trip and take our families, and Spring Bay Resort provided the trip of a lifetime for Gary and me,” said Jim Miller, winner of the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon in 2009. “The resort had everything we needed, and staff coached us on the best fishing opportunities. Initially the fishing was tough, but two days into our trip the weather changed and so did the fishing. We caught and released pike, walleye, perch, bass and sunfish, and we were able to selectively harvest enough perch for a couple of nice fish dinners.”
For the adventurer with a taste for the high country, a fly fishing trip awaits in Sheridan, Montana.
“We’re fishing southwest Montana’s finest ‘Blue Ribbon’ wild trout waters; the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson and Ruby Rivers are our specialty,” said Mike Stack, owner of FishTales Outfitting. “With a day of walk-and-wade or driftboat fishing and a stay at the Buckin’ Trout Ranch, you’ll have an experience that you never forget, and you’ll want to come back every year.”
Ted Brodzinski, a Delaware angler who has fished in the 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon since its inception in 2009, says, “We don’t do this for the prizes – we do it because we care about our waters and we want to see a legacy of clean water for generations to come. However, the prizes sure make things more interesting, and they create a lot of excitement.”
Other prizes include custom-built fishing rods from Dragon’s Custom Rods, gear from Scheels and Pure Fishing, artistic fish print reproductions from Curt Redden, and baits from Scott’s Custom Lures.
The 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon is open to anglers in all 50 states and Canada. To participate, anglers sign up a team of two to three anglers at www.RecycledFish.org/FishAThon. They find a local water to fish, identify the problems facing that water and the solutions. Then they work to secure donations for each hour that they are fishing from family, friends and co-workers, all the while spreading the word on what’s going on with their local lake or stream. The funds benefit Recycled Fish, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization of anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.
The 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon takes place Sept. 9 and 10 but team registration closes on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011.
For complete Fish-A-Thon information and rules, go to www.recycledfish.org/FishAThon, or contact Ben Leal, Tournament Director at tournaments@recycledfish.org
About Recycled Fish:
Recycled Fish is the non-profit organization of “anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.” We Are Stewards.
The Recycled Fish “Sportsman’s Stewardship Pledge” invites anglers to become actively involved as not just a user of our waters, but a steward of them. The SAFE Angling Program — Sustaining Angling, Fish and Ecosystems — is a way to help anglers embrace a lifestyle of stewardship on the water. It involves catch and release fishing, the use of single barbless hooks, biodegradable lures, and non-toxic weights. Recycled Fish also teaches anglers about preventing the spread of invasive species, habitat loss, litter and pollution prevention. For more information on the 501(c)3 group go to: www.recycledfish.org .
Recycled Fish Media Contact:
Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director
FishRecycler@RecycledFish.org
(253) 906-0420 (cell)
