The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has announced that Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's and Dick's Sporting Goods will partner with RBFF this year to promote Anglers' Legacy, a program that encourages anglers to share their love of fishing and introduce a newcomer to the sport.
"We're delighted to be working with these industry leaders who share our passion for fishing and the outdoors," said RBFF President & CEO Frank Peterson. "These retailers will reach out to avid anglers, the best prospects to introduce someone new to the sport, and help us expand our Anglers' Legacy message even further."
Displays, giveaways, coupons and other marketing materials are expected to encourage hundreds of thousands nationwide to take the Anglers' Legacy Pledge this year. Together, the Anglers' Legacy message will reach customers in more than 400 stores throughout the country.
"The Anglers' Legacy program will be a key part of our Spring Classic this year, and we look forward to promoting as many Pledges as we can throughout the year," said Bass Pro Shops Public Relations and Outdoor Education Manager Larry Whiteley. "We want to encourage all anglers to help pass on our great heritage of fishing so that others can learn to enjoy this great tradition as much as they do."
The outreach campaign is part of a larger effort by RBFF to help reverse a nationwide decline over the past five years in the number of people fishing, according to a recent U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey.
"Most of us were introduced to fishing by an experienced angler, whether it was a family member or family friend," said Cabela's President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Highby. "The Anglers' Legacy program asks avid anglers, like Cabela's employees and customers, to pay that favor forward by taking a newcomer fishing."
"Above and beyond sheer numbers, we want to create awareness among anglers about the need to get more people involved," said RBFF Board Member and Dick's Sporting Goods Senior Tackle Buyer Ken Sarber. "We want to provide opportunities for everyone to experience our heritage of fishing and the outdoors."
Anglers' Legacy has collected more than 22,000 pledges since its inception in May 2006. The program asks avid anglers to share their passion for fishing and to visit AnglersLegacy.org where they're asked to "Take the Pledge" - promising to take one new person fishing each year.
