Lew’s High School Product Grant Program Open for Application

  • Filed under News

  • January 12, 2018

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Jan. 12, 2018) – Lew’s and the Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) are pleased to announce that the Lew’s High School Product Grant Program is now open to receive online applications for 2018 initiatives.

Nearly 100 high school fishing clubs across the country took advantage of the program launched last year for the purpose of helping organized teen groups grow their memberships, get involved in community activities and promote conservation awareness.

Downeast Fishing Club members Nick Stox (left) and Dorien Scott hold combos awarded through the Lew’s High School Product Grant program. The D.H. Conley High School fishing group, Greenville, N.C., used the gear for angler recruitment and fundraisers.

Officials at F3, a well-known non-profit organization dedicated to youth fishing, liked what they saw in the program’s inaugural season and said year two is off to a fast start.

“The Lew’s High School Grant Program was instrumental in helping a large number of teams get going last year and we witnessed great use of the products for the right things,” said Executive Director Mark Gintert. “The Lew’s Mach combos are top-shelf products, so they have been greatly appreciated whether being used for fundraisers, event prizes or
program incentives. Applications are already rolling in for 2018 and we’re proudly reviewing and responding quickly.”

There are three product award levels – 4, 8 or 12 Mach rod and reel combos, split equally between baitcast and spinning – with application approvals and combos awarded according to club size, activities and conservation involvement.

Lew’s funds the product grant program by earmarking a portion of the sales of its Mach rods, reels and combos to support the effort.

“We planned to award up to 1,000 combos for 2017 and we awarded right at that number, but we’re looking to grow it this year,” said Lew’s Senior Vice President of Marketing David May.

“Our company has always been committed to giving back to our industry and I can’t think of any group more important to the future of this sport than America’s youth. Fishing builds confidence and character, and Lew’s is pleased to lead this program,” he said.

Any U.S. high school fishing club or team is eligible to apply online between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2018. However, clubs are encouraged to apply early because the application opportunity will close before Sept. 30 if the product allocation is met before then.

For Lew’s High School Product Grant Program details, including the online application form, visit Lews.com and  Futurefisherman.org.

The Osceola Anglers Fishing Club of St. Cloud, Fla., is one of nearly 100 high school groups across the nation to benefit in 2017 from the Lew’s High School Product Grant program that awards rods and reels through an online application process for use in club recruitment, fundraisers and conservation awareness.

 

Future Fisherman Foundation Annual Auction Begins November 26 with the Biggest Selection Ever!

  • Filed under News

  • November 17, 2017

Ponca City, Okla., (11/17/17)

The Future Fisherman Foundation (a 501 (c) 3 Foundation) will once again offer Christmas shoppers a great opportunity to bid on a bevy of Guided Fishing Trip’s, as well as, a very large selection of tackle packages and merchandise.

Proceeds from the annual event support F3 programs like Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs, SuperFish and the Tackle for Educators programs.

If you belong to a high school, college or any type of fishing club there are a lot of bulk tackle packages that could be purchased and dispersed among members.

Without a doubt this year’s selection is THE BEST WE HAVE EVER HAD!  You have an awesome opportunity to receive quality product and help out a great cause with our selection of rods/reels, locators, tackle packages, plus a trolling motor and some terrific guide trips!  A huge THANK YOU to all our donors this year; we couldn’t do it without them.

The auction goes live at 9am EST on November 26.  It will run for seven days and bidding closes December 3, at 9am EST.

Interested bidders should go to www.futurefisherman.org and click on the auction link then click on the eBay link to view the trips and merchandise and place your winning bids!

Help us “Ensure the Future of Fishing” by supporting this terrific event!

 

About the Future Fisherman Foundation

Established in 1986, the Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) unites the sportfishing industry and a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups, youth organizations and other educators dedicated to introducing America’s youth to angling, conservation and the outdoors lifestyle. The Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) operates under The Bass Federation (TBF) umbrella of companies and is the official non-profit education arm of TBF.  For more info visit futurefisherman.org.

 

 

Missouri’s Republic High School Thanks Lew’s for Continued Support

  • Filed under News

  • August 9, 2017

Dear Lew’s,

Thank you so much for playing such a crucial role in the development of High School Fishing in Missouri. At Republic High School we take pride in knowing our team is equipped with quality equipment that will enable our kids to get maximum results when we compete. Lew’s has set the standard in the industry and we are proud to represent your product. RHS fishing has been a part of High School Fishing in Missouri since day one. We currently have over 30 kids on our team and 2017 has been another great year for our team. RHS fishing has been fortunate enough to have one of our teams from RHS finish inside the Top 5 in every tournament this year. We fish in the South division of the Teen Anglers circuit which is largest division in Missouri drawing an average of over 200 teams per event and that alone makes this year a special one for our team. We were also blessed to have Ryan Cameron and Tyler Ghan from RHS recognized as the “Team of the Year” for the South division in 2017.  Thank you again for for all you do! You have played a critical role in our success

 

Jim Huson

Head Fishing Coach

Republic High School

Republic, Missouri

Zebco and the Future Fisherman Foundation offer “Tackle for Educators” Program.

  • Filed under News

  • August 2, 2017

Zebco and the Future Fisherman Foundation offer “Tackle for Educators” Program.

In an effort to help spur the Fishing Industries R3 movement of retention, reactivation and recruitment of anglers, Zebco, and the Future Fisherman Foundation are on a mission to make access to fishing equipment simpler and easier for educators and community groups across the country with the re-introduction of the F3 Tackle for Educators program.

Under the new agreement Zebco will offer three tackle packages designed to cover the community group or club running a one day fishing derby to the experienced aquatic educator looking to re-stock their inventory. The Future Fisherman Foundation will be there to provide assistance to these groups as well as facilitating the ordering process on their website futurefisherman.org.

“The Tackle for Educators program was developed many years ago to aid aquatic educators, schools and groups wanting to run fishing clinics and educational events across the country” stated F3 Executive Director Mark Gintert. “That process offered a wide variety of products but was a little complicated, time consuming and intimidating especially for those who were just getting started. Our goal with this new program is to make things much simpler and quicker with the three-package format” added Gintert.

“Helping aquatic educators and community groups grow the sport of fishing is central to our mission at Zebco Brands” commented Steve Smits, President of Zebco North America.  “We wish to provide significant savings to these valuable partners and help them extend their budgets and reach within their communities”.

Package #1 is the “F3 Event Kit” which provides 20 of the colorful Zebco Slingshot 202 rod and reel combo’s. The package has unbeatable bulk pricing with free shipping delivered right to the groups designated address. Ordering is simple and the units are spooled with line and ready to go right out of the box.

Package #2 is the “F3 Educators Kit” which provides the perfect balance of rods/reels as well as basic terminal tackle for those groups teaching a fishing class or hosting a fishing event in their community. The kit includes 25 Zebco 202 flat board kits and 5 of their Genesis Spinning rod combos which gives participating groups what they need to get their program underway.

Package #3 is the “F3 Advanced Educator Kit’ which is designed for the seasoned aquatic educators who are looking to re-stock their equipment for long term use. This kit utilizes 25 of the legendary and ultra- durable Zebco 33 rod/reel combo and again prices include delivery to their designated address.

Ordering is made simple by going to the futurefisherman.org site and clicking on the Tackle for Educators tab. Or by calling Executive Director Mark Gintert at 330-993-0014

About the Future Fisherman Foundation

Established in 1986,  the Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) unites the sportfishing industry and a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups, youth organizations and other educators dedicated to introducing America’s youth to angling, conservation and the outdoors lifestyle. The Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) operates under The Bass Federation (TBF) umbrella of companies and is the official education arm of TBF.  For more info visit futurefisherman.org.

About Zebco:

Zebco Brands (www.zebco.com), based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., is a leading marketer of fishing tackle and outdoor gear sold under a portfolio of brand names.  The ZEBCO, Rhino, and Martin brands compete in recreational freshwater rods and reels.  The Quantum, Fin-Nor, and Van Staal brands are targeted at avid fisherman from freshwater to offshore saltwater.   The Cajun Line brand competes in fishing line while the William Joseph and Badlands brands provide serious packs and gear for fly fishing and hunting respectively.   Zebco has been in the fishing business since 1949.