Fujifilm pro anglers to help educate schoolchildren about fishing, conservation

CLEWISTON, Fla. – On Friday, Jan. 23, select members of Fujifilm’s pro fishing team will visit Clewiston Middle School to meet with an assembly of sixth-grade students. The anglers will talk about the family-friendly sport of fishing and the importance of conservation. The team will be in Clewiston for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee that takes place Jan. 21-24.

A goal of the visit is for the children to gain an appreciation of the environment by learning about conserving fish habitats and being respectful of nature. The anglers will take this opportunity to educate the students about why more than 52 million people pick up their rods and wet a line each year – because fishing is a fun, wholesome activity the entire family can enjoy. They will explain life as a pro angler and give the children a chance to ask questions. The visit is tailored to introduce the next generation of anglers to the wonderful world of fishing.

Fujifilm’s pro team, which includes some of bass fishing’s most successful anglers, has had a consistent presence in the communities that have hosted Wal-Mart FLW Tour events during the last four years. The team has made several appearances in local grade schools and children’s hospitals on the tournament circuit, encouraging children to get involved in the lifelong sport of fishing.

“Fujifilm is proud to sponsor a winning team of anglers,” said Cindy Bogan, national account manager, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. “With their influence and guidance, we feel strongly that our team will educate kids about the fun of fishing and the importance of conservation, while inspiring the next generation of anglers and photographers.”

Fujifilm will offer another opportunity for children of all ages to learn more about fishing during the Wal-Mart FLW Tour’s Family Fun Zone, which is free and open to the public. The Family Fun Zone features interactive games and product displays to entertain fishing fans while anglers compete on the water. Fujifilm will set up a fishing pond for children to catch trout, have their photos taken with their catches and then release the trout back into the pond. The Fun Zone runs from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. It will be set up at the Wal-Mart Store located at 1005 W. Sugarland Highway in Clewiston.

Outside the tournament, Fujifilm also takes an active role in motivating children to fish, photograph and release. Fujifilm launched its Fish, Photograph and Release (FPR) program three years ago. Children across the country can fill out entry forms, submit close-up photos of themselves with their catches before releasing them back into the water, and write a statement of 50 words or less on why they like to fish and why the fish should be returned to the water. There are two age categories, 5 to 10 years old and 11 to 16 years old. The top three winners in both categories this year will receive U.S. Savings Bonds of $1,000, $500 or $250, while a total of 30 winners will receive a Fujicolor QuickSnap one-time-use camera and an FPR T-shirt.

“The success of the Fish, Photograph and Release program demonstrates Fujifilm’s commitment to and support of fishing while also incorporating the fun of photography,” Bogan said.

The 2004 Fujifilm pro angler team comprises Randy Blaukat of Lamar, Mo.; Robert Bogan of Farmington, Ark.; Scott Bonnema of Forest Lake, Minn.; Brent Brady of Hixson, Tenn.; Joel Richardson of Kernersville, N.C.; Sean Stickler of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Shawn Strader of Rockwood, Tenn.; Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tenn.; Sam Swett of Covington, La.; and Wes Thomas of Hanover, Ind.

Established in 1965, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. is the United States marketing subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of imaging and information products. Fujifilm’s U.S. headquarters are located in Elmsford, N.Y.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors is the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing. It administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-tournament series; the EverStart Series, pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers; and the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail. FLW Outdoors also operates the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world’s most lucrative walleye-tournament series, and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend anglers.

Wal-Mart and many of America’s most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com’s sponsor page.

For more information about Fujifilm products, call (800) 800-FUJI or visit the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site at Fujifilm.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors, call (270) 252-1000.

Editor’s Note: Clewiston Middle School is located at 601 W. Pasadena Ave. If you would like a representative to attend the Fujifilm pro angler appearance, please contact Bridget Berglund at (612) 337-1927 for arrangements. Photos of Team Fujifilm are available at FLWOutdoors.com.