Kids All American Fishing Derbies Launched in 2000
Gordon Holland

Staging Kids All-American Fishing Derbies

KETCHUM, OK – Kids across the country, get ready! It’s time to start baiting your hooks as the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program marks its 14th year of helping to provide a great fishing experience for youngsters nationwide.

This program has attracted nearly 6 million youngsters and their parents to events hosted by parks and recreation departments, community service organizations, and state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Forest Service. This guidance and support is provided by Hooked On Fishing International which founded the program. Events take place in all 50 states.

The 2000 Kids All-American Fishing Derby program is being presented byZebco and Igloo Camping. Additional sponsors include Berkley Power Bait,Eagle Claw, G3 Boats, Jadico(Laker), Bomber and Rebel Lures, Southwest Airlines, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Each child attending an event will receive complements of the sponsors a souvenir decal, name tag, plastic

bag, bubble gum, knot-tying card, plastic bobber, and samples of Eagle Claw hooks and Berkley Power Bait. The year 2000 program will feature:

Zebco "CrazyCast" Casting Contest -- Zebco will provide the official reel and rod combos for each contest. The youngsters will take two casts at a mystery "crazy" target, with local winners receiving the Zebco "Hot Rod" combo as their prize. All youngsters participating in the event will have their name entered in a nationwide drawing for the grand prize of four

round-trip tickets to any Southwest Airlines published destination.

The Igloo Camping "Big Fish" Contest -- The youngster catching the largest fish at each derby receives a certificate and is automatically eligible for state-level recognition. The angler with the largest fish from each state is entered into the national competition, with a grand prize winner being

determined for the largest freshwater and saltwater fish. Each national level winner will receive a specially prepared Igloo Family Camping Package with a retail value of approximately $500.00

The Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish!" Contest -- every youngster

attending a Kids All-American Fishing Derby event, and catching a fish – any fish, any size -- is eligible for this drawing. The youngster simplyfills out an entry form. The national grand prize winner, whose name will be drawn at the conclusion of all the derbies, will receive four round trip tickets to any Southwest Airlines published destination.

With events scheduled across the nation,Wal-Mart stores in select locations will partner to host these fishing derbies. Youngsters are being invited to pre-register for the local events at participating Wal-Mart stores.

We are pleased to have such an exceptional array of outstanding sponsors for this year’s program," said Gordon Holland, HOFI spokesperson. "The youngsters are sure to enjoy the entire fishing experience they will receive on behalf of these fine corporate sponsors."

The philosophy of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby is to introduce all youngsters and their families to an appreciation and respect for the environment, through conservation methods encouraged by means of hands-on participation in the outdoors and the sport of fishing. Groups or agencies interested in receiving information about hosting a kids’ fishing derby in

their local community in 2001 should contact: Hooked On Fishing

International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349, fax: (918) 782-4324, or e-mailkidsfishing@usa.net.

(posted March 21, 2000)