FLW Outdoors Donation Helps Improve Fishing Conditions on
Beaver Lake
MINNEAPOLIS – FLW Outdoors
continues to promote conservation in the communities that host its
professional bass tournaments, as evidenced by a recent $5,000
donation to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The donation
will help the commission continue to provide much-needed
artificial shelter in Beaver Lake to protect fingerlings. The
donation further establishes FLW Outdoors as an organization
devoted to giving something back to the communities that host its
tournaments. As it has in the past, FLW Outdoors is donating
$5,000 at each of its seven Wal-Mart FLW Tour events as well as at
a variety of other sanctioned tournaments.
For the FLW Tour's 2003
Wal-Mart Open, held on Beaver Lake earlier this month, the
contribution went toward the Beaver Lake Artificial PVC Habitat
Structures Project that was established in 2002 with another
$5,000 donation from FLW Outdoors. The commission will use the
money to create artificial cover to supplement natural cover,
which has long since decayed on the aging reservoir.
"The PVC shelters really
have a twofold purpose," said Chris Horton, black-bass biologist
for the game and fish commission. "They provide cover for young
fish from predators and, as a result, increase angling success."
Over the years, the lack
of cover has been subsidized with the addition of artificial
structures made from discarded Christmas trees and wooden pallets,
which, unfortunately, decay over time. The plastic PVC shelters do
not experience decay and provide the same degree of benefits. With
the donation from last year, the commission added 19 shelters and
hopes to add at least that many to the lake this year.
"We would really like to
add 19 to 20 more shelters near and around our nursery pond that
is connected to Beaver Lake," Horton said. "We produce and release
a crop of fish each year from the pond into the lake when the fish
are still small enough to need protection. Locating the structures
near the pond outlet provides an excellent opportunity to protect
many of the young fish from predators and a great spot for anglers
to catch fish."
FLW Outdoors remains
committed to conservation in 2003 through its partnership with the
FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation arm of the American
Sportfishing Association. The donations go toward conservation
efforts to benefit tournament host sites.
In 2000, FLW Outdoors
announced its partnership with the FishAmerica Foundation. Since
then, FLW Outdoors has helped to raise more than $400,000 for
local conservation projects.
"In partnering with
FishAmerica, our goal is to have a positive impact on the
fisheries and host cities where our tournaments are held," said
Charlie Hoover, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. "Beaver Lake is
a perfect example of our continued commitment to preserving lakes
for all anglers, from beginners to professionals, to enjoy."
FLW Outdoors administers
the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world's most lucrative bass tournament
series; the EverStart Series, the pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW
Tour; and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers.
FLW Outdoors also operates the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail;
the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world's most lucrative walleye
tournament series; and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend
anglers.
FLW Outdoors is the
world's leading marketer of competitive fishing. Wal-Mart serves
as the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors as it has since 1997. For a
complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and more information about
the quality products and services they offer, please visit
www.FLWOutdoors.com .
