FLW Outdoors honors soldiers through series of competitive fishing events

National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournaments a big hit with fans and soldiers alike

With the assistance of FLW Outdoors, the National Guard Outdoors Program has developed a way to give back to National Guard soldiers and their families through a unique series of competitive angling opportunities known as National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournaments.

During select National Guard/FLW Outdoors-sponsored bass and walleye fishing events, the National Guard Outdoors Program and local/state National Guard soldiers team up to coordinate special fishing events for National Guard soldiers and their families. The program allows soldiers and families to spend a morning on the lake fishing with FLW professional anglers.

FLW professional anglers, including members of the National Guard pro team, pair up with a team of two soldiers or family members. The pro anglers provide the boat, rods, reels, bait and other fishing gear. Throughout the event, the team of two gets to enjoy a day on the water as well as learn special fishing tips and techniques from the pro anglers in the process.

Some states put together a special weigh-in for the soldiers, where they can weigh their fish onstage in front of their family and friends. At the recent Soldier Appreciation Tournament held during the Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., teams got to weigh in the fish on a stage provided by FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation. Each team attempted to catch a limit of five fish in an effort to achieve the highest combined weight possible in order to make a run at the title. The local Georgia National Guard also provided trophies to the winning teams.

National Guard team member and FLW Tour pro Jonathan Newton said he was honored to be a part of the recent Soldier Appreciation Tournament held during the Forrest Wood Cup. He stressed that giving back to soldiers and their families was an experience that he will always cherish.

“Soldiers can fish sometimes almost as well as we professionals can. They just don’t have the opportunity to fish as much as we do. So I really appreciate them getting to go out (on the water),” said Newton. “It really puts life into perspective. Living in this country means something, and it really costs something to live here.”

“They really pay the price,” he added.

For more information on National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournaments, click here.