National Fishing and Boating Week Kicks Off with Nationwide Events

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation's (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns have joined forces with Walmart®, South Bend® and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW) with kickoff events hosted at Walmart stores across the United States June 3-5. The #ReelFun events will help seasoned anglers, those new to the sport and anyone in between prepare for summer fun on the water.

More than 1,000 Walmart stores across the country will provide an opportunity for newcomers of all ages and skill levels to learn tips on fishing tackle and techniques firsthand from expert FLW anglers. Everyone at the events will have the opportunity to test their casting skills, enter to win prizes, purchase a fishing license and play fishing-related games. Those in attendance will also receive a free digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine and a free protective fishing license holder just for stopping by.     

"We want to make fishing and boating accessible and fun for everyone," said Frank Peterson, president and CEO, RBFF. "By partnering with Walmart, South Bend and FLW, we've made it easier than ever for people to get equipped to get out on the water with their families this summer."

In addition to the NFBW #ReelFun events at participating Walmart stores, anglers across the country also have the opportunity to enter the "Reel in a Trip to Amelia Island" sweepstakes on South Bend's Facebook page. By uploading a photo along with a few words about why they love fishing or sharing their favorite fishing story, participants will have the chance to win an all-expense paid, three-night vacation for four at an oceanfront resort in Amelia Island, Fla., including a fishing excursion with Mike D, the host of "South Bend's Lunkerville" television show. The fishing trip with the winners will be featured in a future broadcast of the show.

"National Fishing and Boating Week is the perfect time to get involved in fishing," said Scott Griffith, vice president of marketing for South Bend. "Whether the angler is experienced, or only gets out there occasionally for fun, this is the time of year to do it. And now it's easier than ever for people to get all the equipment and information they need to make the fishing experience successful, affordable and fun.  We're proud to be partnering with FLW, RBFF and Walmart to make that happen."

The Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns were developed by RBFF to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. The campaigns also encourage outdoor enthusiasts to help conserve the nation's waterways.

"FLW anglers are the most dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate anglers in the world," said Trisha Blake, president of marketing for FLW. "Our volunteers are thrilled to share their knowledge and help spread the joy of fishing in more than 1,000 Walmart stores this year to kick off National Fishing and Boating Week. If you want to learn how to catch fish on your local lake or river, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss."

To find dates and times of local #ReelFun events at participating Walmarts, visit TakeMeFishing.org. Be sure to also explore TakeMeFishing.org's interactive map to find local waterways where you can fish and boat.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

About South Bend

South Bend, a Big Game International brand, has devoted more than a hundred years to creating products that let families and fishing enthusiasts experience the joy of fishing, at prices they can afford. Since 1906, South Bend has been a leader in the industry and is best known for offering quality products at an exceptional value to make fishing easy and fun for today's active families and anglers of all ages and skill levels.  In 2012, South Bend entered into a multiyear partnership with "Lunkerville," the award-winning television series that embodies the simple fun of fishing; a show where the featured guest is the expert – not the host. Since then, the South Bend brand and "South Bend's Lunkerville" have shared a mission to get more people involved in fishing by demonstrating how easy, fun and affordable fishing really is.

About Fishing League Worldwide (FLW)

FLW is the world's largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2016 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Periscope: @FLWFishing.

SOURCE Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

Related Links

http://www.rbff.org