Press Releases

NPAA and RBFF Announce Anglers' Legacy Partnership

Alexandria Va. (February 1, 2007) – The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) today are announcing a new partnership to promote the Anglers' Legacy program. The partnership, which was formed at the 2007 NPAA Annual Meeting in Dubuque, IA in January, outlines NPAA's commitment to adopt Anglers' Legacy messaging and promote the program throughout their various efforts. 
 
Anglers' Legacy was launched in July 2006 and targets the country's estimated 7.5 million most avid anglers. The program asks avid anglers to share their passion for fishing and help grow the sport by "Taking the Pledge" at AnglersLegacy.org and promising to take one new person fishing each year.

"One of the main reasons that professional and tournament anglers are NPAA members is for the opportunity to put something back into the sport of fishing," said NPAA President Tommy Skarlis. "By taking and fulfilling the Anglers Legacy Pledge and helping to spread the core messages of Anglers' Legacy, every NPAA member will be able to give and invariably re-receive the special gift of fishing."

In addition to their commitment to help spread the word, NPAA plans to make the simple and powerful Anglers' Legacy message a focal point for upcoming NPAA events. This will include onsite angler recruitment activities at the final day of the four regular season FLW Walleye Tour events.

"The opportunities placed before the NPAA by the Angler's Legacy program are incredible," said NPAA Secretary Johnnie Candle. "Angler recruitment has always been a focus of the NPAA, but one with little direction. By combining the efforts of the NPAA and the RBFF, huge strides will be made not only in exposing people to fishing, but in angler retention. Without angler retention, the efforts mean nothing."

About NPAA
The NPAA is a non-profit organization of professional anglers that promotes and educates its members. As one of the largest professional anglers associations in North America with membership open to professional anglers and aspiring pros regardless of sponsor or tournament circuit affiliation, NPAA provides a valuable platform for anglers to become involved in the issues regarding the sport of competitive angling and the fishing industry in general.  The NPAA has two main goals: (1) To increase the professionalism of our members, and (2) To grow the sport of fishing and the industry as a whole.

For more information visit www.NPAA.net.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby increasing public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring America's aquatic natural resources. Recreational boating and fishing are America's favorite sporting activities, with more than 50 million people participating every year—more than golf and tennis combined.

For more information about the Anglers' Legacy initiative visit www.AnglersLegacy.org or contact RBFF Public Relations Manager Dave Landahl at dlandahl@rbff.org or 703-519-0013 ext. 107.