Fishing for Freedom 2008 has been scheduled for Saturday, October 4th on Lake Belton in Central Texas!

The Central Texas Marine Dealers, Inc. in cooperation with the United States Army MWR at Fort Hood, Texas will host our returning Active Duty Heroes in addition to retired Military for all branches of service in a MFREE BASS TOURNAMENT!

Keri and I will be there, along with our good friends Lane and Tony Gergely from SureLife Laboratories, plus J.P. Greeson from TexasFishingForum.

The 2008 Fishing for Freedom Event will be headquartered out of the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) on Fort Hood. According to Cliff Brown, Owner / General Manager of Texas Boat World in Killeen, "Fishing for Freedom is one way that our community may say thanks to those who have and continue to put their lives on the line for our country. Our desire is to offer a guided fishing experience to every interested soldier." Rick Smith, President of the Central Texas Marine Dealers, Inc. and Owner / General Manager of Marine Outlet in Temple said, "The only thing a soldier needs to participate is the desire." Texas Bass Fishermen along with community, state and national sponsors will provide the resources.

Up to 300 hundred Bass Fishermen from across the state will volunteer to take a soldier fishing. Teams will be paired by drawing on Friday, October 3rd during a special Pre-Tournament Meeting and Dinner Banquet. The potential for a "full field" will place 300 boats and 600 fishermen on Lake Belton during the Fishing for Freedom event!

Each soldier will fish with a seasoned bass angler volunteer who will provide the boat, fuel and also fishing equipment if necessary. Tournament fishing will begin on Saturday, October 4th at "Safe Light" as determined by the tournament director. Due to the large number of entries expected for this tournament, teams will be placed in “flights” and depart the tournament site to head to their fishing location one-at-a-time based on the number drawn.

The Official Fishing for Freedom Entry publication is set to be available by mid-August. There are still sponsorship opportunities available in support of this Fishing for Freedom event.

For information contact:

Cliff Brown, Texas Boat World 254-699-9151, cbrown@texasboatworld.com

Rick Smith, Marine Outlet, 254-773-9931, rick@marineoutlet.com

http://www.texasboatworld.com/custompage.asp?pg=fishingforfreedom

Glenn, the Texas State Top 6 tournament is on Belton this upcoming weekend. Talk to Lane, she can probably help you recruit some boaters. I had to cancel due to damage from Ike. Good luck

Jack

Lane & Tony will be there, and are actively recruiting people for this event too.

Glenn,

I can't even begin tell you how bummed I was when I found out this year's date...

It's a great event!! I think you will really be touched when you experience it. Some of the area surrounding the lake is still rebuilding from last year's floods (the lake was over 30' high for about 8 months) but things are getting back to normal. There is a new restaurant that just opened on the bluff by the dam, called the Dead Fish Grill... a patio seat around sunset is beautiful, and popular so get there early.