LAS VEGAS, NV - July 19, 2006 - ICAST 2006 (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) saw the official launch of the Anglers' Legacy program with dozens of leaders in the sportfishing industry lending their support to this innovative program designed to increase fishing participation by asking avid anglers to commit to teaching someone to fish. Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), and Dave Pfeiffer, ASA's Board of Directors chairman and Executive Vice President, Shimano American Corporation, were among the first to sign on to the Anglers' Legacy banner. Joining them were Bruce Matthews, president and CEO, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), and Jeff Pontius, the foundation's Board of Directors chairman and President, ZEBCO/WC Bradley.
Throughout the three-day show, held July 19-21 in Las Vegas, some of the most famous names in sportfishing signed the banner, encouraging all ICAST participants to do the same, pledging to support Anglers' Legacy and the sportfishing industry by taking someone fishing. Anglers' Legacy is a mission of RBFF's "Take Me Fishing" campaign.
Across the country, grass roots organizations, government agencies and other sportfishing organizations launched their own Anglers' Legacy commitments with banner signings and Declarations of Support. U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall also signed a banner lending their support.
Now in its 49th year, ICAST is the world's largest sportfishing trade event, with nearly 400 exhibitors showcasing their full product lines along with the latest and greatest in sportfishing equipment and accessories for industry buyers. Produced by ASA, the show represents the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, driving sportfishing companies' product sales year-round. ICAST is the world's largest industry event of its kind. ICAST 2006 is expected to ultimately draw over 6,000 attendees.
About Anglers' Legacy
The Anglers' Legacy program is a national program to mobilize America's 7.5 million avid anglers to "take someone fishing." The program asks already avid anglers to take a pledge to take someone - a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, a child, anyone - on a fishing trip. The idea behind Anglers' Legacy is for those who are most passionate about the sport to inspire others and extend their legacies to the next generation.
For more information about Anglers' Legacy and to pledge your support, visit Anglers' Legacy online at http://www.anglerslegacy.org.