MINNEAPOLIS — FLW Outdoors announced that it has filed a lawsuit in Minnesota State Court against BRP/Evinrude for its failure to pay agreed upon sponsorship fees for the entire 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season.

“FLW Outdoors has had a long-term sponsorship and working relationship with Evinrude as a premier sponsor of FLW Outdoors and its tournaments,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. “In 2009, FLW Outdoors received confirmation from Evinrude officials both in writing and verbally that Evinrude had agreed to the continuance of their sponsorship with FLW Outdoors at about the same level of sponsorship fees for 2009 as they had in 2008.”

Throughout FLW Outdoors’ 2009 tournament season, Evinrude’s representatives and/or management have participated in all of FLW Outdoors tournaments.

“FLW Outdoors has fully supported Evinrude’s sponsorship throughout the 2009 FLW Outdoors’ tournament season,” Jacobs said. “Evinrude has enjoyed all of the same contractual marketing commitments that FLW Outdoors supported Evinrude with in 2008, including, but not limited to, substantial onsite space for displaying and marketing their products at all tournament locations; Evinrude engines installed on half of all FLW Outdoors/Ranger stage and tournament boats throughout all tournaments; signage throughout all FLW Outdoors tournament locations; television commercials on all FLW Outdoors television programming worldwide; magazine advertising; internet marketing and advertising; and heavily-promoted Evinrude on all marketing materials and advertising as part of FLW Fantasy Fishing, an international game worth $10 million in cash and prizes. Yet Evinrude has refused to pay FLW Outdoors any of the amounts it promised as consideration for those benefits.”

Jacobs further stated, “Not only are we terribly disappointed in the fact that Evinrude hasn’t paid any of their agreed-upon sponsorship fees for 2009, but they also haven’t paid any of the committed contingency dollars on behalf of their Evinrude Pro Staff anglers through the 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season.”

“FLW Outdoors has advanced on Evinrude’s behalf almost $100,000 to those Evinrude Pro Staff anglers who had cash commitments from Evinrude based upon their performance this season. To date, Evinrude hasn’t reimbursed FLW Outdoors a single dollar for the money that FLW Outdoors advanced on its behalf to the Evinrude Pro Staff anglers.”

In nearly 15 years of business and tournament operations, FLW Outdoors has never had to sue a single sponsor for failure to pay their sponsorship fees.

Large International Group out of Miami went on a fishing  adventure on March 20, 2009  with Bass Online Fishing Outfitters for Air-boat Rides through out the Everglades and in addition they went Bass Fishing at Sawgrass  Recreation Park.

Enthusiastic group of 15 employees from several different states and a couple of different countries. The group started with an Air-boat ride, it was great sight seeing tour that included gators, birds and wildlife that was encounter on the trip.

Next, we loaded everyone on bass boats. Off we went exploring the Everglades, with many in the group fishing for the first time. The Group was eager to learn the history of the Everglades, while enjoying conversation about conservation and continued discussions on the surrounding wildlife, not to mention learning about the different species of  fish that were caught. Each boat capture quite a few fish, the group landed approximately 150 bass in just a couple hours of fishing as you can see in the photo above.

The trip ended with a walking exhibit, an Everglades wildlife habitat tour and viewing alligators in capture.

It was an exciting and morale building afternoon for the corporate employees, a day of fishing and sightseeing the Florida Everglades.  Nice to see employers rewarding their hard working employee’s with afternoon to relax with some recreational entertainment.

Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Bass Online Staff Writer
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS

By MARK S. KRZOS • mkrzos@news-press.com • August 2, 2008A city of Bonita Springs’ plan to turn a piece of land near Interstate 75 into a small park will get a helping hand from the state.

Carpenter Lane River Park in Bonita Springs has been named as one of four Lee County parks that will get a slice of $24 million earmarked by the state for improvements.

“That property near the McDonald’s is going to be part of the river trail,” said Gary Price, Bonita’s city manager.

The river trail will be a walking trail along the Imperial River. The trail will work in conjunction with a canoe/kayak trail planned for the eastern reaches of the river, Price said.

“The city and the county both bought some land in that area,” Price said. “The walking trail is being planned between Bonita Grande Drive and Quinn Street.”

Part of the state’s budget for 2008-09 includes $24 million to expand and improve local parks statewide.

The money Bonita Springs receives from the state will be used for a new sheltered pavilion, a multi-use trail and landscaping.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) will grant Lee County $542,000 to develop and enhance community parks, providing outdoor recreation opportunities and improving public access to Florida’s natural resources.

“Outdoor recreation areas and facilities are a vital part of Florida’s economy, drawing both Floridians and visitors to experience the state’s natural resources,” said Michael Sole DEP secretary. “With the support of Gov. Crist and the Florida Legislature, FRDAP funding allows Florida cities and counties to develop and enhance local parks while uniting their communities through recreational opportunities.”

Other Lee County projects funded in this year’s budget include:

• City of Fort Myers, Clemente Park – The money will be used for a new picnic pavilion, walking trail, restroom, landscaping and to renovate picnic pavilions.

• Lee County, Three Oaks Community Park – The money will be used for a new tennis court, fishing pier, picnic pavilion, parking and lighting.

• City of Cape Coral, Chantry Park – The money will be used for new picnic facilities, a boat ramp, walking trails and lighting.

“Reserving space and funds for recreation is essential to the healthy growth of Florida’s communities and citizens,” said Mike Bullock, the director of the DEP’s Florida Division of Recreation and Parks.

Administered by DEP, the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) is a competitive grant program, providing funds to local communities for public outdoor recreation.

Over the past decade, Florida has invested more than $250 million to improve local park facilities through this grant program, funding more than 2,000 projects statewide.

We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact us if you would like to help or suggest a body of water in your area. If you have any questions on the videos or if you are interested in a fishing trip in Florida or you would like additional information on the fishing trips or fishing videos please contact us on this form, thanks you and good fishin!.

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com

Grant program will help expand local recreation opportunities

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature, the 2008-2009 budget includes $24 million to expand and improve local parks statewide. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) will fund 212 projects in 54 counties to develop and enhance community parks, providing outdoor recreation opportunities and improving public access to Florida’s natural resources.

“Outdoor recreation areas and facilities are a vital part of Florida’s economy, drawing both Floridians and visitors to experience the state’s natural resources,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “With the support of Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature, FRDAP funding allows Florida cities and counties to develop and enhance local parks while uniting their communities through recreational opportunities.”

Projects include:

Town of Bascom, Community Park – $135,611

Through the Rural Economic Development Initiative, this small community with a population of 111 and an operating budget of $53,000 can enjoy a park without having to match the grant funding provided. The grant will allow the Town to develop a children’s playground and restroom within the only existing park in the community. The property is four-acres and houses the 1929 Bascom school house, which the Town hopes to renovate as a community center for family reunions and community events through historical funding opportunities.

Taylor County, Steinhatchee Park – $135,611

This County Park is located in the Town of Steinhatchee, directly on the Steinhatchee River with close access to the Gulf of Mexico. This project will provide a new public fishing pier and restroom and will renovate the only public playground and picnic facilities in the area. A Florida Heritage Historical Marker is located at this site for its early Steinhatchee history. In addition, the Florida Department of Community Affairs recently awarded the Town with a Waterfronts Florida designation, which provides resources to assist coastal local governments with planning efforts.

City of Hampton, Bobbie Shepard Park – $135,611

Bobbie Shepard Park is the City of Hampton’s largest park located on the Lake Butler-Palatka Trail, and soon to be a designated trailhead along the route. The grant funding will help develop camping, picnic facilities, bike trail, playground, parking as well as enhancements to the existing restrooms and security lighting.

St. Johns County, Nease Beachfront Park – $135,611

Located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, this site will provide users direct access to the Atlantic Ocean through a raised dune walkover and allow users to view the Intracoastal Waterway from a boardwalk through salt marsh to a scenic overlook pavilion. The project site also contains the historic Allen Nease House. The area falls into the St. Johns County Blueways and Greenways Master Plan as well as the East Coast Greenway, an urban trail that runs from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. FRDAP funding will also be used to build picnic facilities, a trail throughout the park and parking.

Palm Beach County, Lake Ida Park – $135,611

The park is located on the western shore of Lake Ida, a 120-acre freshwater lake that is part of Palm Beach County’s Chain of Lakes. The Lake provides fishing and recreational boating and is used by personal watercrafts, water skiers, wake boarders and fishers in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties. The improvements will include a new ADA-accessible playground, picnic pavilion, bike trail, canoe/kayak launch, parking and landscaping. An existing group pavilion, picnic pavilion, parking lot and landscaping will also be renovated.

“Reserving space and funds for recreation is essential to the healthy growth of Florida’s communities and citizens,” said DEP’s Florida Division of Recreation and Parks Director Mike Bullock. “The FRDAP program continues to facilitate city and county park growth and enhancement, strengthening families and the protection of Florida’s natural resources.”

Administered by DEP, the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) is a competitive grant program, providing funds to local communities for public outdoor recreation. Over the last decade, Florida has invested more than $250 million to improve local park facilities through this grant program, funding more than 2,000 projects statewide. Enhancements to local parks include improvements and renovations to playground and picnic facilities such as pavilions, tables and benches, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, concession areas, lighting, fencing, restroom and shower facilities, parking areas, trails, grounds and landscaping, beach docks, piers and boardwalks.

For a list of funded projects and information about applying for a FRDAP grant, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/OIRS/default.htm .

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com