Press Releases

Ohioan Wins Virtual Fishing Tournament on TakeMeFishing.org
‘Catch A Boat’ Winner Selected from More Than 25,000 Entries
Catch A Boat Winner Ben Gorris

ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 19, 2010) – The winner of Take Me Fishing’s™ second ‘Catch A Boat’ virtual fishing tournament on TakeMeFishing.org is Ben Gorris of Garfield Heights, Ohio, who was selected from more than 25,000 game participants nationwide to take home the grand prize. Gorris will receive a brand new boat, motor and trailer valued at $20,000.

“I’m not the type that wins anything,” said Gorris, who was very surprised when he received the news. “I felt that I needed to do a lot of checking because I didn’t believe it.”

Gorris, an Ohio resident for more than 25 years, said boating was a big part of his family life growing up in Michigan. And although he fished a lot as an Eagle Scout, he hasn’t had time to do either lately. Gorris found information about Catch A Boat on ESPN’s Web site and entered because he thought it would be nice to have a boat with all the lakes and reservoirs nearby.

“Catch A Boat helped introduce thousands of boaters and anglers to all the great resources available on TakeMeFishing.org,” said Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We congratulate Ben on his big win and know that he will enjoy spending time on the water with his family and friends.”

Sponsored by RBFF, Catch A Boat – The Ultimate Online Fishing Tournament – was designed to encourage boating and fishing participation. The interactive online game let TakeMeFishing.org visitors virtually “fish” for a chance to win daily prizes and the grand prize Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC boat with trailer and a 60 horse power Evinrude E-TEC engine.

“We’re pleased to present Ben with a new boat, motor and trailer,” said Smokercraft Sr. Vice President of Marketing Peter Barrett. “Sylvan is proud to be involved with Take Me Fishing and the ‘Catch A Boat’ promotion, which is working to grow the boating and fishing lifestyle and ensure its legacy for generations to come.”

Gorris, a Cleveland sports fan and outdoor enthusiast who used to do a lot of camping and hiking, currently works for Analex as a NASA contractor. He’s also the assistant volleyball coach at Lake Erie College. Gorris isn’t sure where he’ll go on his first outing. “Maybe fishing on the lake,” he said.

“I’d like to express our sincere congratulations to Ben Gorris of Garfield Heights, and our deep gratitude to RBFF for providing an Ohioan with a new boat in which he can enjoy the state’s great fishing and boating opportunities,” said Ohio Division of Wildlife Acting Chief James A. Marshall.

Take Me Fishing, the boating and fishing communities’ award-winning national campaign, helps boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign Web site, TakeMeFishing.org, features tips and how-to’s that can be used all over the country, tools to design a dream boat, information on how to get a fishing license and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find the perfect local boating and fishing spot.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.