CASTING A LIFELINE: NORTHERN INDIANA BUSINESSMEN TURN SPORTSMEN FOR A WEEKEND OF CHARITY BASS FISHING

FORT WAYNE, IN – For many Indiana residents October means a trip to Northern Michigan to enjoy the fall color tour as the brightly colored leaves reflect on the numerous lakes that abound the region. But for a handful of eager bass fishermen from Northern Indiana, the lakes and bays around Traverse City have an even bigger attraction: the chance to spend a weekend fishing with some of the nation’s top professional bassmasters all while raising money to support a Fort Wayne, Ind., charity.

For the past decade, amateur fishermen have gathered each fall for a charity event called “Fish with the Pros” that has become one of the best-kept secrets in the close-knit world of bass fishing. For $1,250 a piece, they can spend two days fishing these legendary waters – recognized by Field & Stream as among the nation’s best fishing areas – in the company of the sport’s most successful pros. Each pro takes out a pair of amateur fishermen for what amounts to a two-day private fishing clinic.  In addition, guests enjoy evening meals and activities with all of the pros in attendance giving them the opportunity to create lasting relationships with some of their hero’s from the sport of professional bass fishing.

 “This has grown from a small fundraising idea to a real sought-after event,” said Fish with the Pros coordinator Ann Hettig. “What’s not to like? All that our guests need to do is register and we coordinate the lodging, unbelievable meals, and the chance to fish with a pro on his boat using his entire collection of top of the line equipment!”

All money raised by the event is donated to Lifeline Youth & Family Services, an agency that works with at-risk youth and their families in northern Indiana, Ohio and southern Michigan.

Fish with the Pros got its start in 1999 when several Lifeline executives were casting about for fundraising ideas. They thought about a charity golf tournament, but quickly realized that “everybody does a golf event.”

Fourteen people signed up for the trip that first year, mostly businessmen from the area around Ft. Wayne, Ind. where Lifeline has its headquarters. Today, Fish with the Pros draws nearly 100 guests, instructors and other participants from around the Midwest; organizers have had to set a limit on the number of available slots, and other Fish with the Pros events have been added including a second Michigan event in May, two Texas trips in November and two charity fishing tournaments during the summer months.

Participants at the Traverse City event are not restricted to any particular fishing area and can fish anywhere they choose to direct their pro. (Elk Lake, Torch Lake, Lake Leelanau, Lake Skegemog, and even Grand Traverse Bay are favorite spots.) And although the main idea is to learn better fishing techniques, organizers have added several not-terribly-serious competitions -- one for a traveling trophy known informally as the “Big Toad,” the other a Heavyweight team competition where guests add up the combined weights of their total catch.

Fish with the Pros even attracts fishing enthusiasts who don’t get one of the coveted pro spots, thanks to a number of public events and activities – from a 1,000-gallon aquarium known as the “HogTank” and a Ranger boat simulator to the chance to snag a few autographs from some of sport fishing’s most prominent celebrities.

For more detailed information about Fish with the Pros, to see video clips from past events, or to register, contact Ann Hettig at 231-632-3535 or log on to the event web site at www.fishwiththepros.com.

About Lifeline:
Lifeline Youth & Family Services, www.lifelineyouth.org is a not for profit organization that began in 1948 when a group of Indiana business leaders had a vision to provide a healthy family environment for boys who found themselves in trouble. It was their desire to break the cycle of abuse, neglect and violence by finding a place that would allow young men the opportunity to be successful. What started with a single group home has grown into a full-service not-for-profit organization providing prevention, intervention and aftercare services to over 7,000 children and families each year. Lifeline is now working with youth and families from over 70 Indiana counties and has begun to serve families in Michigan and Ohio as well. Through programs like home-based services, residential treatment and alternative education, they are fulfilling a mission of changing hearts and bringing hope to a generation at risk.

Download Great Wolf Lodge Flyer: fwp_great_wolf_lodge_2009.pdf