02-06-2009, 08:10 AM
Springfield, Missouri --- The state of the economy sure doesn't seem to lend itself to thinking about doing the things we used to enjoy such as taking vacations, going on trips and pursuing hobbies. Today, we ask ourselves things like 'can I afford this vacation this year?' or 'do I really need to spend more money on fishing gear?'
Perhaps the real question that needs to be answered is 'can you afford not to?' Studies have shown that it is more important than ever for emotional health and physical well-being to continue taking vacations and doing things we enjoy to help relieve stress, lower blood pressure and 'escape' from problems. So, how can you accomplish this and stay within budget? Begin by re-adjusting your thinking so you can concentrate on what you can afford, not what you can't, and look for ways to compromise.
Another good place to start is by attending the 2009 Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic. Last year, more than 5 million people attended the event at Bass Pro Shops stores across America and Canada and this year promises to be even bigger. And, it is at a price everyone can afford-free. Maybe you can't go fishing for peacock bass on the Amazon this year but there are still area lakes and rivers full of fish. Maybe you can afford a new reel by trading in one of your old ones for a discount. And, just maybe you can win a fishing trip of a lifetime or a fishing package valued at $500.00!
The 17-day event begins February 27th and goes until March 15th at 50 of the Bass Pro Shops retail stores. There's new fishing products to browse through, live demonstrations to see, new tips and techniques to learn, music and entertainment, boat shows, kids events, and, it's all FREE! You can also register to win the Outdoor Legends Sweepstakes where you get to spend fishing time with Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin, or one of the 50 $500-value packages being given away that include a Johnny Morris Signature Series Baitcasting Combo.
Anglers will be able to learn the secret techniques and strategies used by the best anglers in the world by attending the Free Fishing University seminars and tank demonstrations going on February 27th through March 1st. Friday, February 27th from 2 pm to 7 pm, and Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st from noon to 5 pm, you can attend seminars conducted by experts like 9-time BASS Angler of the Year Roland Martin, 4-time BassMaster Classic Champion Rick Clunn, legendary angler and TV host Bill Dance, America's favorite fisherman and TV host Jimmy Houston, 2-time BassMaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam and many more. (Pros, seminar topics, and times vary by store. Please check individual store schedules by visiting www.basspro.com/classic and clicking on the store from drop down box.)
Other special events include:
"¢ Reel Trade-In: If attendees have any old reels that don't see a lot of action any more, bring them in during "Reel Trade-In" days February 27th through March 4th. They can be traded in for a coupon worth from $5 to $100 off the purchase price of a new reel. The donated reels will be given to local not-for-profit groups whose mission is to teach children about fishing and the outdoors.
"¢ Boat Show: March 7th through March 11th is boat show time at the stores. Here's your chance to pick out a new boat from a huge selection that includes everything from big water boats to small fishing, canoeing and even kayaking. Visitors will really get the fever once they see the new line-up of boats from Tracker Marine--the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats. Customers will find exactly what they need to have fun on the water with selections from Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, SunTracker, Kenner and more. Plus, you can get your picture made holding up that 'trophy fish' as if you were the angler that landed it February 27th through March 15th on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm and Saturdays and Sundays noon to five pm.
"¢ Bonus Bucks: Customers using their Bass Pro Shops Visa to make purchases in Bass Pro Shops stores March 5th through March 11th will earn 'bonus bucks.' .
If they purchase (on their BPS Visa):<br />
$100-$199 - customers will get a $10 Bonus Buck card<br />
$200-$349 - $25 Bonus Bucks card<br />
$350-$599 - $50 Bonus Bucks card<br />
$600 and up - $100 Bonus Bucks card
"¢ Kids Events: Kids can get into the spirit of the outdoors with plenty of events geared for them during the Spring Classic.
Contest rules: Customers must register to win the Outdoor Legends Sweepstakes or the $500 value First Prize. The Grand Prize of fishing time with Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin on Jimmy Houston's ranch will be awarded to one winner selected nationally and includes airfare to Dallas. Fifty first prize winners will be selected (one per store) and awarded a $500 retail value including a Johnny Morris Signature Series baitcast combo. (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 02/27/09 and ends 03/15/09.)
About Bass Pro Shops:<br />
A major catalog and Internet retailer, Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, MO, currently has 54 retail locations across the United States and Canada. The stores attract some 100 million visitors a year. Recently selected as the #1 outdoors retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine, Bass Pro Shops also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. Request a free catalog by calling 1-800-BASS PRO.
Media Contact<br />
Katie Mitchell (417) 873-5618<br />
Larry Whiteley (417) 873-5022
Perhaps the real question that needs to be answered is 'can you afford not to?' Studies have shown that it is more important than ever for emotional health and physical well-being to continue taking vacations and doing things we enjoy to help relieve stress, lower blood pressure and 'escape' from problems. So, how can you accomplish this and stay within budget? Begin by re-adjusting your thinking so you can concentrate on what you can afford, not what you can't, and look for ways to compromise.
Another good place to start is by attending the 2009 Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic. Last year, more than 5 million people attended the event at Bass Pro Shops stores across America and Canada and this year promises to be even bigger. And, it is at a price everyone can afford-free. Maybe you can't go fishing for peacock bass on the Amazon this year but there are still area lakes and rivers full of fish. Maybe you can afford a new reel by trading in one of your old ones for a discount. And, just maybe you can win a fishing trip of a lifetime or a fishing package valued at $500.00!
The 17-day event begins February 27th and goes until March 15th at 50 of the Bass Pro Shops retail stores. There's new fishing products to browse through, live demonstrations to see, new tips and techniques to learn, music and entertainment, boat shows, kids events, and, it's all FREE! You can also register to win the Outdoor Legends Sweepstakes where you get to spend fishing time with Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin, or one of the 50 $500-value packages being given away that include a Johnny Morris Signature Series Baitcasting Combo.
Anglers will be able to learn the secret techniques and strategies used by the best anglers in the world by attending the Free Fishing University seminars and tank demonstrations going on February 27th through March 1st. Friday, February 27th from 2 pm to 7 pm, and Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st from noon to 5 pm, you can attend seminars conducted by experts like 9-time BASS Angler of the Year Roland Martin, 4-time BassMaster Classic Champion Rick Clunn, legendary angler and TV host Bill Dance, America's favorite fisherman and TV host Jimmy Houston, 2-time BassMaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam and many more. (Pros, seminar topics, and times vary by store. Please check individual store schedules by visiting www.basspro.com/classic and clicking on the store from drop down box.)
Other special events include:
"¢ Reel Trade-In: If attendees have any old reels that don't see a lot of action any more, bring them in during "Reel Trade-In" days February 27th through March 4th. They can be traded in for a coupon worth from $5 to $100 off the purchase price of a new reel. The donated reels will be given to local not-for-profit groups whose mission is to teach children about fishing and the outdoors.
"¢ Boat Show: March 7th through March 11th is boat show time at the stores. Here's your chance to pick out a new boat from a huge selection that includes everything from big water boats to small fishing, canoeing and even kayaking. Visitors will really get the fever once they see the new line-up of boats from Tracker Marine--the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats. Customers will find exactly what they need to have fun on the water with selections from Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, SunTracker, Kenner and more. Plus, you can get your picture made holding up that 'trophy fish' as if you were the angler that landed it February 27th through March 15th on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm and Saturdays and Sundays noon to five pm.
"¢ Bonus Bucks: Customers using their Bass Pro Shops Visa to make purchases in Bass Pro Shops stores March 5th through March 11th will earn 'bonus bucks.' .
If they purchase (on their BPS Visa):<br />
$100-$199 - customers will get a $10 Bonus Buck card<br />
$200-$349 - $25 Bonus Bucks card<br />
$350-$599 - $50 Bonus Bucks card<br />
$600 and up - $100 Bonus Bucks card
"¢ Kids Events: Kids can get into the spirit of the outdoors with plenty of events geared for them during the Spring Classic.
Contest rules: Customers must register to win the Outdoor Legends Sweepstakes or the $500 value First Prize. The Grand Prize of fishing time with Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin on Jimmy Houston's ranch will be awarded to one winner selected nationally and includes airfare to Dallas. Fifty first prize winners will be selected (one per store) and awarded a $500 retail value including a Johnny Morris Signature Series baitcast combo. (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 02/27/09 and ends 03/15/09.)
About Bass Pro Shops:<br />
A major catalog and Internet retailer, Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, MO, currently has 54 retail locations across the United States and Canada. The stores attract some 100 million visitors a year. Recently selected as the #1 outdoors retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine, Bass Pro Shops also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. Request a free catalog by calling 1-800-BASS PRO.
Media Contact<br />
Katie Mitchell (417) 873-5618<br />
Larry Whiteley (417) 873-5022