NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 16, 1999

CONTACT: Jim Sweatman (407) 317-7329 or Joy M. Hill (352) 732-1225

SECOND FISH ORLANDO! BIG CATCH COMING SOON

The Second Annual Fish Orlando! Big Catch Event is coming to Barnett Park on Saturday, April 10 from 9:30 a.m., until 2:30 p.m. This event will be even bigger and better than last year*s Big Catch which was held in November at Barnett Park.

Fishing is fun and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to show both children and adults just how much fun it can be at the Fish Orlando! The Big Catch event. The Big Catch is a day of free fishing activities, prizes, and a chance to talk to the experts about where and how to fish in lakes in and around Orlando. It is specially designed for beginning through advanced anglers who want to learn some basic fishing skills, hone existing ones or learn something brand new.

The event is being held in Orange County at Barnett Park, right next door to the Central Florida Fairgrounds. It is being co-hosted by the FWC, and the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department. New this year will be Glen Lau, star of TNN*s *Quest For Adventure* television show, and his giant aquarium displaying largemouth bass caught right here in Central Florida. Also attending will be Sports Afield magazine*s Homer Circle, the world-renowned fishing expert. Anglers can learn from these and other experts what to do to catch largemouth bass, crappie, bream, hybrid striped bass and catfish in the Greater Orlando area.

In addition there will be special classes on fly-fishing and a fishing class designed especially for women. Participants will also get a chance to meet former Miami Dolphins Mark Clayton and Steve Braggs, and experience what it*s like to catch a lunker largemouth bass with the help of a computerized fishing simulator, sponsored by Shimano and Ranger Boats. Kids and adults can fish in a pond stocked with 3,000 catfish, after they*ve learned a few basics in the Fishing and Aquatic Biology class designed just for them. Bait and tackle will be provided.

If you've ever wanted to try canoeing or kayaking, the Big Catch Event is the place to do it. Participants can learn from FWC Wildlife Officers how to boat safely and then get in a canoe or kayak and paddle around on the Frog Pond. There will also be casting instruction, bass and panfishing techniques, a free Fish Orlando! fishing map, a live band, games by Orange County Parks and Recreation, fishing and outdoor-related vendors, and balloons and face painting for kids by the Fishin 'Ology Clowns. Instructors include Tommy Young and John Evertsen (Where and How to Fish for Largemouth Bass in the Orlando Area); Dave Olsen (Introduction to Fly Fishing); Don Teddy (Where and How to Fish for Panfish in the Orlando Area); and Linda Hawkins and Patti Whipple (Introduction to Fishing for Ladies).

The Big Catch is part of Fish Orlando! - a FWC program that aims to make fishing easier, more accessible and enjoyable for city-dwelling anglers or prospective anglers.

"The whole day has been planned as a way to introduce people who live in metropolitan Orlando to the fun of fishing, and to show them how easily they can do it in lakes practically right in their backyards," said Jim Sweatman, FWC Fish Orlando! project leader.

Fish Orlando! was started about two years ago. Its focus is to promote fishing in the Greater Orlando area and improve fishing opportunities by building fishing piers, stocking fish, performing lake enhancement, providing handicapped accessible fishing areas, holding fishing clinics and contests, educational workshops and more for Orlando area families and visitors. In addition to the current four Orlando Urban Ponds (Ivanhoe, Santiago, Richmond and Lorna Doone), the program will be focusing on five additional lakes - soon to be announced - which will be call

For more information on Fish Orlando! The Big Catch at Barnett Park, call the FWC at (407) 317-7329 or (352) 732-1225 or Barnett Park at (407) 836-6248.