P&G to host fishing clinic for local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter

Participants to receive free rod and reel combo from Berkley

ROGERS, Ark. – In conjunction with the $1.5 million Wal-Mart Open bass tournament on Beaver Lake, Procter & Gamble, in partnership with Berkley, will host a visit with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, May 19 at the John Q. Hammons Center.

P&G employee Jeff Smith was recently named Big Brother of the Year in Northwest Arkansas and for the entire state. “When I learned Big Brothers Big Sisters needed mentors, I knew I could help make a difference,” Smith said. “What I didn’t realize was how much of a difference it would make in my life. It has been a true blessing to be a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.”

FLW Tour co-angler Jess Caraballo, who fishes for P&G’s Team Gain, knows the value of the program, too. The Danbury, Conn., angler was a little brother as a youth. Caraballo recently finished fifth at the National Guard Open on Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C., and earlier this season he finished third on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. He has earned seven top 10 finishes since 2003, with more than $50,000 in career FLW Outdoors winnings.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas visit will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the FLW Outdoors Family Fun Zone and stage area at 1 p.m. followed by a fishing clinic and a Q-and-A session with P&G’s team Pringles, Folgers, Bounty, Gain and Duracell pros. At the clinic, participants will learn basic techniques such as knot tying and casting and will discuss the importance of conservation and the environment.

Each participant will receive a rod and reel combo from Berkley, as well as T-shirts from P&G, special badges from FLW Outdoors and a one-year subscription to FLW Outdoors Magazine. After the clinic, participants will return for the weigh-in and will be seated in a special VIP area, where a banner will recognize their presence.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.

Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Walmart.com.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.