The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced a new partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. to recruit new anglers across the country and promote Anglers' Legacy, a program that encourages avid anglers to share their love of boating and fishing, and introduce a newcomer to the sport.

In a campaign that kicks off this month and runs through the end of July, Dick's will include in-store displays that encourage customers to visit AnglersLegacy.org and "Take the Pledge" to receive $10 off their next purchase of $50 or more. With a goal of at least 5,000 new Pledges, the promotion will run in approximately 360 stores in 36 states nationwide.

"Dick's will be running a unique promotion to help us reach their anglers," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "By educating customers about the importance of passing on the legacies of boating and fishing, Dick's will play a big role in helping preserve the sport for future generations. This promotion will introduce thousands of newcomers to boating and fishing."

"We need to share our experiences and love of fishing with others," said RBFF Board Member and Dick's Sporting Goods Senior Tackle Buyer Ken Sarber. "When Dick Stack founded the company in 1948, he built his heritage with fishing tackle. Reaching these anglers is very important to us, and we want to create awareness among anglers about the need to get more people involved and continue our great outdoor tradition."

"We know that fishing motivates many people to get out on the water in a boat," added Peterson. "Anglers' Legacy Ambassadors help us achieve our mission of increasing participation in both activities."

Anglers' Legacy was launched in May 2006. To date, the program has collected more than 40,000 Pledges, which according to an RBFF survey of participants conducted in 2007, means it may have already generated $4.8 million for the fishing industry, $6.6 million for the boating industry and the sale of more than 84,000 new fishing licenses.