01-16-2011, 12:14 PM
<em><strong>Anglers to Fish 24 Hours Straight This Weekend</strong></em>
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb.-- This weekend over 60 anglers from eight US states and Canada will attempt the fishing version of running a marathon when the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon presented by BoatUS Angler kicks off. Anglers will fish for 24 hours straight, with the goal to raise awareness of the environmental problems facing our waters, and raise money to help solve those issues.
The first lines will be cast at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, and the last fish must be landed by 5:59 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.
"Our lakes and streams are great places to fish, but they are faced with problems like invasive species, over-harvest and pollution," said Teeg Stouffer, Recycled Fish Executive Director. "Our participating angler-ambas
ors are raising awareness by doing something challenging. They want everyone to know that the solutions to the problems facing our waters involve everyday choices by all of us."
"We talk a lot about catch and release and selective harvest fishing," continued Stouffer, "but our lifestyle runs downstream. Everyday choices affect our waters just as much as what we do when we're on the water. Things like how we take care of our lawns, or whether we're willing to recycle and buy recycled products influences the health of our waters."
Anglers are fishing for more than good will, they are also competing for big prizes.
"We're giving away the fishing trips of a lifetime," said Stouffer. "Whoever raises the most money and whoever has the best success on the water wins a guided trip with a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) tour-level pro fisherman, or a getaway to Spring Bay Resort in Minnesota."
Additional prizes include tackle from Berkley and Dick's Sporting Goods, custom rods from Dragon's Custom Rods, and fish artwork from Curt Redden. They are awarded for catching the biggest of several species of fish, cleaning up trash at the lakes, fundraising goals and other challenges.
"You can help by donating to the team nearest you, or by raising awareness of the issue that matters most to you," added Stouffer.
For more on the 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon or to learn more about stewardship of our waters, visitwww.RecycledFish.org and take the Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge. Proceeds are donated to Recycled Fish (a non-profit organization) and the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to support responsible fishing practices and waterway stewardship programs.
About Recycled Fish:
Recycled Fish is the national non-profit organization of "anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream." The Recycled Fish "Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge" invites anglers to embrace the Stewardship Ethic and join the organization, free of charge. 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, including the use of single barbless hooks, biodegradable lures, and non-toxic lead-free weights. Recycled Fish also strives to educate anglers about invasive species, habitat loss, waterway litter and pollution prevention, urban fisheries, and increase participation in recreational fishing for both adults and children. For more information on the 501©3 group go to: www.recycledfish.org.
About BoatUS Angler:
BoatUS Angler is a program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. It offers on-the-water towing, roadside assistance and angler's boat insurance. For more information, go to www.BoatUSAngler.com
About BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
Founded in 1981 and largely funded by the half a million recreational boat owning members of BoatUS, the non-profit 501©3 BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Some nationwide programs include Clean Water Grants, Fishing Line Recycling and Help Stop The Drops, a clean refueling campaign designed to keep accidental spills out of the water. It provides educational outreach directly to boaters with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. For more information, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Recycled Fish Contact:
Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director<br />
253.906.0420<br />
fishrecycler@recycledfish.org
Boat US Contact:<br />
D. Scott Croft<br />
703.461.2864<br />
SCroft@BoatUS.com
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb.-- This weekend over 60 anglers from eight US states and Canada will attempt the fishing version of running a marathon when the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon presented by BoatUS Angler kicks off. Anglers will fish for 24 hours straight, with the goal to raise awareness of the environmental problems facing our waters, and raise money to help solve those issues.
The first lines will be cast at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, and the last fish must be landed by 5:59 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.
"Our lakes and streams are great places to fish, but they are faced with problems like invasive species, over-harvest and pollution," said Teeg Stouffer, Recycled Fish Executive Director. "Our participating angler-ambas
ors are raising awareness by doing something challenging. They want everyone to know that the solutions to the problems facing our waters involve everyday choices by all of us.""We talk a lot about catch and release and selective harvest fishing," continued Stouffer, "but our lifestyle runs downstream. Everyday choices affect our waters just as much as what we do when we're on the water. Things like how we take care of our lawns, or whether we're willing to recycle and buy recycled products influences the health of our waters."
Anglers are fishing for more than good will, they are also competing for big prizes.
"We're giving away the fishing trips of a lifetime," said Stouffer. "Whoever raises the most money and whoever has the best success on the water wins a guided trip with a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) tour-level pro fisherman, or a getaway to Spring Bay Resort in Minnesota."
Additional prizes include tackle from Berkley and Dick's Sporting Goods, custom rods from Dragon's Custom Rods, and fish artwork from Curt Redden. They are awarded for catching the biggest of several species of fish, cleaning up trash at the lakes, fundraising goals and other challenges.
"You can help by donating to the team nearest you, or by raising awareness of the issue that matters most to you," added Stouffer.
For more on the 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon or to learn more about stewardship of our waters, visitwww.RecycledFish.org and take the Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge. Proceeds are donated to Recycled Fish (a non-profit organization) and the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to support responsible fishing practices and waterway stewardship programs.
About Recycled Fish:
Recycled Fish is the national non-profit organization of "anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream." The Recycled Fish "Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge" invites anglers to embrace the Stewardship Ethic and join the organization, free of charge. 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, including the use of single barbless hooks, biodegradable lures, and non-toxic lead-free weights. Recycled Fish also strives to educate anglers about invasive species, habitat loss, waterway litter and pollution prevention, urban fisheries, and increase participation in recreational fishing for both adults and children. For more information on the 501©3 group go to: www.recycledfish.org.
About BoatUS Angler:
BoatUS Angler is a program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. It offers on-the-water towing, roadside assistance and angler's boat insurance. For more information, go to www.BoatUSAngler.com
About BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
Founded in 1981 and largely funded by the half a million recreational boat owning members of BoatUS, the non-profit 501©3 BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Some nationwide programs include Clean Water Grants, Fishing Line Recycling and Help Stop The Drops, a clean refueling campaign designed to keep accidental spills out of the water. It provides educational outreach directly to boaters with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. For more information, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Recycled Fish Contact:
Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director<br />
253.906.0420<br />
fishrecycler@recycledfish.org
Boat US Contact:<br />
D. Scott Croft<br />
703.461.2864<br />
SCroft@BoatUS.com