Gilmer County, Georgia, August 8, 2010 – Apple orchard owners in Gilmer County, Georgia’s Apple Capital, have high expectations for a strong apple harvest this fall, with warm days, cool nights and just the right amount of rain to produce a strong crop of more than a dozen varieties of delicious Georgia-grown apples.

Orchard owners along Gilmer County’s Apple Alley (Hwy. 52) have spent thousands of hours preparing their crop for this fall.  This year’s cold winter provided ample “rest” for the trees to flower and bloom this spring.  Workers took to the fields pruning trees, mulching, irrigating and planting new trees. “We are currently in the process of thinning out some of the apples, to ensure that the mature ones receive ample sunlight which helps the fruit develop sweetness and beautiful color,” says Janice Hale of Hillcrest Orchards.

According to Hale, apples aren’t the only things growing at Hillcrest Orchards, as several newborns have arrived at the orchard’s petting zoo, including baby kids (goats), calves, kittens and chicks.  “We’ve built our business into a great family experience, with pick-your-own apples, pig races, wagon rides, our petting zoo, and bakery and farmer’s market, featuring fried apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, apple juice, homemade fudge, apple fritters, homemade ice cream, and more.

Gilmer County Apples

“We’re expecting a great season, with Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples coming in by the end of August, and Honey Crisp, Cameo, Mutsu, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith and many more varieties ready by mid-to-late September,” says Andy Futch of R&A Orchards.

Paige Green, President of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce indicated that this year’s Georgia Apple Festival could be the largest in its 39-year existence.  “We have more than 300 vendors scheduled to attend the festival this year, including handmade arts and crafts, on-site demonstrations, entertainment, music, demonstrations, and more,” says Green.  The Georgia Apple Festival is held the second and third weekends of October.  For more information, visit www.georgiapplefestival.org.

However, visitors to Gilmer County can quickly fill their schedule with a host of other activities, including visiting local shops and restaurants for some local flare, or taking to the outdoors for hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing or exploring.

For visitor information and traveler specials, information about apple orchards and houses along Apple Alley, other activities, and accommodations, visit www.gilmerchamber.com, or join our fan page on Facebook at The Ellijays.

Bass Champs Kicks-Off 2010 Tournament Season - Allen Samuels Auto Group Introduced as Newest Sponsor

Allen Samuels Automotive Group Joins Forces with Bass Champs

“We are thrilled about the start of the 2010 season, and are excited to partner with Allen Samuels Auto Group, one of the state’s leading automotive dealerships,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs. “The folks at Allen Samuels are passionate about serving their customers, and are dedicated to the highest quality service, before, during and after the sale,” adds Potts.

For more information about Allen Samuels Auto Group, to find a retailer location nearest you, or to browse the company’s extensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, visit www.allensamuels.com.

Bass Champs

“We’re proud to be associated with two of the industry’s most well known brands in Humminbird and Minn Kota,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs. “Our tournament anglers’ success depends heavily on having the right equipment on their boats, and with innovative and quality products from Humminbird and Minn Kota, this success is usually only one cast away,” says Potts.

Both Humminbird and Minn Kota are part of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, LLC, which also includes Cannon brands. Humminbird is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chart plotters, marine radios and digital depth gauges. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offering a complete line of battery chargers, Trim Tabs and marine accessories.

Johnson Outdoors is committed to providing innovative, top-quality recreation products that make it easy for people to have fun outdoors. For more information about Johnson Outdoors, visit www.johnsonoutdoors.com. For information about Humminbird products, visit www.humminbird.com. For information about Minn Kota products, visit www.minnkotamotors.com.

Bass Champs kicked-off 2010 with excitement this past weekend, as Terry Oldham of Wimberley, and teammate Jaime Buitron of San Antonio, took first place, taking home more than $20,000 in cash, including bonus money from sponsors Costa and Sure Life. The team bested 200 teams, weighing in a five fish limit, including an 11.74 lb. lunker.

Progressive Insurance Joins Bass Champs

“Whether you’re a tournament angler or recreational boater, Progressive has a host of products and services designed to meet each individual’s needs,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs. “We are proud to be associated with Progressive, and look forward to helping the company educate bass anglers about protecting both themselves and their property,” says Potts.

For boaters, Progressive offers specialized insurance policies with rewards like Disappearing Deductibles, and options like Roadside Assistance, On-Water Towing, Total Loss Replacement and more.

Progressive, in business since 1937, is one of the country’s largest auto insurance groups and offers its products, including personal and commercial auto, motorcycle, boat, and recreational vehicle insurance, through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the U.S. and online and by phone directly from the Company.

For 2010, the Bass Champs Tournament Trail hits some of the best bass fisheries in the state of Texas, including Cedar Creek, Lake Fork, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Belton, Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, Lake Amistad, Choke Canyon and Falcon Lake. Tournament winners earn a guaranteed $20,000 check, with qualifiers from the North, Central, East and South Divisions meeting at the Team Championships for a shot at their share of more than $100,000.

Bass Champs sponsors include some of the fishing, marine and outdoor industries most well known brands, including Skeeter, Yamaha, The World Fishing Network, Berkley, Minn Kota Trolling motors, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Abu Garcia, Humminbird Electronics, Progressive, Costa Sunglasses, Sure-Life Industries, All Star Graphite Rods, Hooters, Continental Batteries, Allen Samuels Auto Group, Navionics, Billy Bob’s Texas, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, Sabine Country Chamber of Commerce, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, Wood County Industrial Commission and Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Progressive Insurance, visit www.progressive.com.

For more information, tournament schedule, entry forms, Bass Champs merchandise, or to receive the Bass Champs e-newsletter for regular updates on tournament happenings, visit www.basschamps.com. Bass Champs can be seen nationally on WFN – the World Fishing Network. For air times/dates, visit www.wfn.tv.

“Navionics is very proud to be a continuing sponsor of the Bass Champs Tournament Trail, and as the leader in electronic charts, we are dedicated surveying all the important tournament lakes in the US, as well as many in Canada,” says Art Wright, Navionics South Central Sales Manager.

“Bass Champs anglers are our customers – the hard core tournament fisherman as well as the novice just getting into fishing. The field is not restricted so it gives us a chance to educate all the anglers on our product and the use of our product as an essential fishing tool,” says Wright.

Navionics and Bass Champs

According to Wright, Navionics provides details that no other product can offer. The company’s Hot Maps software packages offer an array of lake data, such as 1’ bottom contours, 3D view, satellite photo overlay and panoramic lake views. The company’s new Mobile App for iPhone users now puts vital lake information and charts at your fingertips, making tournament fishing even more exciting.

In addition to the company’s Lakes Maps, Navionics also features a host of products for saltwater navigation, great for boating and fishing. Navionics Outdoor Maps is a comprehensive electronic chart package for GPS navigation, with full details for outdoor activities including hiking, biking, trail riding, skiing, ATV riding, etc.

“During the past decade, we’ve seen first-hand how electronic chart technology has transformed the tournament fishing industry, and we continue to see more and more of our Bass Champs competitors using this information to be successful tournament anglers,” says Bass Champs President, Chad Potts. “Bass fishing more than just a weekend, and with the opportunity to win several thousand dollars, these folks look to companies such as Navionics for an edge. We’re proud to have an industry leader like Navionics on-board as a sponsor,” adds Potts.

Navionics, based in Massarosa, Italy, with its US headquarters in Wareham, Massachusetts, is a leader in the development of electronic navigation charts and systems for marine coastal areas, inland lakes and rivers, and for outdoors use. Navionics electronic charts are easy to use, contain integrated data from official paper charts, feature automatic detection of possible dangers, feature real-time display of position, course, speed and track, and include layered data display capabilities. Navionics new Mobile App and Viewing Charts for iPhone has recently received several industry awards. For more information about Navionics, visit www.navionics.com.

Hooters Texas Joins Bass Champs Tournament Trail - 2010 Heats Up with Nearly World Famous Chicken Wings

Fort Worth, Texas, January 5, 2009 – There’s not much better in life than bass fishing and Hooters Nearly World Famous Chicken Wings, and for 2010, Bass Champs and Hooters Texas have teamed up to give Texas’ estimated two million bass anglers with the opportunity to fish the state’s best fisheries, and win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

“The popularity of bass fishing in the state of Texas, and the success and growth of Bass Champs is something we wanted to be a part of for 2010,” says Mike Herrick of Texas Wings. “We’ve tried many traditional sponsorships in the past, and each has become stale and ineffective over time. We believe that Bass Champs has put together an exciting program and tournament schedule for 2010, combining the outdoor experience with fun and competitiveness,” adds Herrick.

Hooters and Bass Champs Team Up

Herrick recommends that Bass Champs anglers keep their Hooters receipts. “If your team wins the Big Bass Award at any Bass Champs team event, and you have a Hooters receipt dated within 30 days of the tournament, you’ll receive a free entry fee to the next Bass Champs event.”

Texas Wings, a franchise of Hooters of America, Inc., opened its first restaurant in 1989 at the Historic West End in Dallas, and the company recently celebrated its 20^th Anniversary in Texas. Now, the company owns and operates 42 locations across the state, each serving great food, with great service, at reasonable prices, in a relaxed atmosphere, and featuring the World Famous Hooters Girls.

“Hooters is one of the most well-known brands in the country, if not the world, and we’re excited to partner with Texas Wings throughout our 2010 tournament trail,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs. “Our 2010 schedule includes stops in many communities where Texas Wings owns and operates Hooters establishments, and I’m confident that when our tournament anglers aren’t on the water fishing, you’ll find them enjoying the great food and great fun that is found at all Hooters restaurants,” Potts added.

For 2010, the Bass Champs Tournament Trail hits some of the best bass fisheries in the state of Texas, including Cedar Creek, Lake Fork, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Belton, Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, Lake Amistad, Choke Canyon and Falcon Lake. Tournament winners earn a guaranteed $20,000 check, with qualifiers from the North, Central, East and South Divisions meeting at the Team Championships for a shot at their share of more than $100,000.

For more information about Texas Wings, find retail locations, view the menu, check out daily specials, and meet our Hooter Girls, please visit www.hooterstexas.com.

Bass Champs sponsors include some of the fishing, marine and outdoor industries most well known brands, including Skeeter, Yamaha, The World Fishing Network, Berkley, Minn Kota Trolling motors, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Abu Garcia, Humminbird Electronics, Progressive, Costa Sunglasses, Sure-Life Industries, All Star Graphite Rods, Hooters, Continental Batteries, Allen Samuels Auto Group, Navionics, Billy Bob’s Texas, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, Sabine Country Chamber of Commerce, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, Wood County Industrial Commission and Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, tournament schedule, entry forms, Bass Champs merchandise, or to receive the Bass Champs e-newsletter for regular updates on tournament happenings, visit www.basschamps.com.

“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship with Bass Champs, and have felt first-hand the tremendous impact that this partnership has brought to Skeeter,” says Ben Jarrett, Skeeter National Sales Manager. “We view this sponsorship as one of our primary channels to reach potential Skeeter owners and bass fishing enthusiasts, and the Bass Champs organization is one of the most respected tournament trails in the industry,” Jarrett continued.

Skeeter Renews Bass Champs Sponsorship

For the 2010 Bass Champs tournament trail, Skeeter is offering a “Double Your Money Bonus,” up to $5,000 for the highest finisher fishing from a Skeeter boat (within three years of original purchase) at every Bass Champs event. Additionally, Skeeter offers a “Dealer Bonus” of $250 for the first team at each event to have an exact event weight, and a signed business card from a Skeeter dealer.

“This is an exciting time for Skeeter, as it launches its new FX Series bass boats,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs. “Skeeter provides our tournament trail with incredible support, and we appreciate the opportunity we have to help the company promote its brand and products,” says Potts.

In an industry first, Skeeter recently launched its new FX Series, the FX21 and FX20, designed in tandem with Yamaha’s new “game-changer” four-stroke V6 VMAX SHO outboard engines.

In addition to its own tournament trail, Bass Champs also hosts the Skeeter Owner’s Tournament, held annually on Lake Fork. This year’s tournament, scheduled for June 4-6, will feature more than $150,000 in cash and prizes. Last year’s owner’s tournament drew 1,546 anglers, fishing from 806 Skeeter boats.

SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES Extends Bass Champs Sponsorship - Partnership Encourages Healthy Release of Bass

Fort Worth, Texas, December 28, 2009 – Keeping bass healthy during fishing tournaments is a priority for Bass Champs, and its partnership with SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES, manufacturer of CATCH & RELEASE® and PLEASE RELEASE ME™ livewell water conditioners, solidifies Bass Champs’ as one of the nation’s most conservation-conscience tournament trails.

“SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES has been a longtime sponsor of Bass Champs, and we look forward to our extended sponsorship with the organization throughout its 2010 tournament schedule,” says Tony Gergely of SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES. “Texas anglers continue to show their willingness to protect our fish populations, thus the tremendous success of our products.”

CATCH & RELEASE and PLEASE RELEASE ME livewell water conditioners have been proven to significantly delay mortality rates in livewell fish. “When anglers pay close attention to livewell conditions, they can ensure the successful catch and release of their fish,” added Gergely.

Sure-Life Extends Bass Champs Sponsorship

As the Official Livewell Water Conditioners for the 2010 Bass Champs tournament trail, SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES will offer a $200 bonus to 1^st place anglers who properly use CATCH & RELEASE and/or PLEASE RELEASE ME in their livewells.

“We’ve worked with the folks at SURE-LIFE to develop livewell protocol procedures – helping to educate our tournament anglers about proper livewell maintenance, and also protecting the bass populations at each tournament stop, releasing healthy fish back into the waters,” says Jeff Welch, Vice President of Bass Champs.

For 2010, the Bass Champs Tournament Trail hits some of the best bass fisheries in the state of Texas, including Cedar Creek, Lake Fork, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Belton, Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, Lake Amistad, Choke Canyon and Falcon Lake. Tournament winners earn a guaranteed $20,000 check, with qualifiers from the North, Central, East and South Divisions meeting at the Team Championships for a shot at their share of more than $100,000.

For more information about SURE-LIFE LABORATORIES and its products, please visit www.sure-life.com.

Bass Champs sponsors include some of the fishing, marine and outdoor industries most well known brands, including Skeeter, Yamaha, The World Fishing Network, Minn Kota Trolling motors, Humminbird Electronics, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Costa Sunglasses, Sure Life Industries, Continental Batteries, Navionics, Billy Bob’s Texas, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, Sabine Country Chamber of Commerce, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, Wood County Industrial Commission and Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, tournament schedule, entry forms, Bass Champs merchandise, or to receive the Bass Champs e-newsletter for regular updates on tournament happenings, visit www.basschamps.com.

Berkley/Abu Garcia Extend Bass Champs Sponsorship - Excitement Builds for Berkley Big Bass Tournament

Fort Worth, Texas, December 18, 2009 — Like fishing for lunkers, Bass Champs has landed another major sponsor, as industry leader Pure Fishing, with its Berkley, Abu Garcia and All-Star Rod brands, will continue its sponsorship as the Official Baits, Rods, Reels and Line Sponsor of the Bass Champs Tournament Trail.

“The Berkley and Abu Garcia brands have been with Bass Champs for the past five years, and our association with three of the fishing industry’s most well-known and respected brands, has helped establish Bass Champs as an angler and fan favorite,” says Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs.

In addition to being the Official Baits, Rods, Reels and Line Sponsor of Bass Champs, Berkley and Bass Champs will also host the 5th Annual Berkley Big Bass Tournament on Lake Fork, a wire-to-wire fishing tournament where anglers exclusively use Berkley baits for a chance at thousands of dollars, and a chance to win one of two Skeeter bass boats.

Berkley/Abu Garcia Extend Bass Champs Sponsorship

“Berkley is thrilled to continue its relationship with Bass Champs,” says Andrew Marks, Senior Marketing Manager for Berkley. “It is important to reach out to the avid bass fishermen, and offer him/her a chance to compete without intrusion by serious professional anglers. With our continued support of Bass Champs, competitors will reap the rewards of larger and more exciting prizes, and Bass Champs will be able to grow with this success,” Marks added.

The 5th Annual Berkley Big Bass Tournament will be held on October 23rd and 24th, 2010 on the bass-rich waters of Lake Fork. This tournament has continued to grow in size every year since 2004 since its inception. (747 contestants in 2009) According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Lake Fork currently holds 33 of the top 50 heaviest largemouth bass caught in the state, including the 18.18 lb. record holder.

For 2010, the Bass Champs Tournament Trail hits some of the best bass fisheries in the state of Texas, including Cedar Creek, Lake Fork, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Belton, Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, Lake Amistad, Choke Canyon and Falcon Lake. Tournament winners earn a guaranteed $20,000 check, with qualifiers from the North, Central, East and South Divisions meeting at the Team Championships for a shot at their share of more than $100,000.

Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, SevenStrand®, Shakespeare®, Spiderwire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. Pure Fishing, Inc. is part of Jarden Outdoor Solutions, a leader in developing outdoor and active lifestyle products and a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation. For more information about the Pure Fishing product line-up, visit www.purefishing.com.

Bass Champs sponsors include some of the fishing, marine and outdoor industries most well known brands, including Skeeter, Yamaha, The World Fishing Network, Minn Kota Trolling motors, Humminbird Electronics, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Costa Sunglasses, Sure Life Industries, Continental Batteries, Navionics, Billy Bob’s Texas, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, Sabine Country Chamber of Commerce, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, Wood County Industrial Commission and Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, tournament schedule, entry forms, Bass Champs merchandise, or to receive the Bass Champs e-newsletter for regular updates on tournament happenings, visit www.basschamps.com.

Lake Fork Trophy Lures Joins Forces with ArmyBassAnglers

San Antonio, TX, December 14, 2009 – The mission statement behind the ArmyBassAnglers (ABA) is “SUPPORT. DEFEND. FISH.,” and Lake Fork Trophy Lures, one of the nation’s leading tackle manufacturers, announces its “support” of ArmyBassAnglers through a multi-year sponsorship as the Official Weight, Line and Soft Plastics Sponsor.

“Since the founding of ABA in 2006, our sponsors like Lake Fork Trophy Lures have raised both awareness and funds for Returning Heroes Home, a foundation that supports a state of the art medical recovery facility at Fort Sam Houston’s Brooke Army Medical Center,” says MAJ Cody Roberson of ABA.

“As a soldier, having the right weapons is critical, and LFT Lures soft plastic lures, tungsten weights and new Parallelium fishing lines are our weapons of choice while on the water,” says Roberson.

Lake Fork Trophy Lures Joins Forces with ArmyBassAnglers

“The leadership and passion of ABA speaks loudly, and group’s support of our nation’s real heroes who return home from their missions needs to be applauded,” says LFT Lures CEO, Ronnie Parker, whose father, C.W. Parker was awarded a Purple Heart for service in the Army in World War II.

According to Shawn Preator, COO of Lake Fork Trophy Lures, the company actively plans to cross promote its relationship with ABA through trade shows, tournaments and the Internet. The company currently offers discounts to military personnel, supports fishing days for returning military, and helps to sponsor military fishing events each year.

“We hope to increase the trial and education of our products through grassroots activities, and we believe that ABA will be helpful in providing our company with strong brand awareness and product credibility,” says Preator. “We are proud to support the group’s efforts, and are honored to work with a group of anglers who are as passionate about fishing, as they are about supporting and defending our freedoms,” adds Preator.

ABA consists of 12 pro staff anglers, all of which are active duty or retired U.S. military. The group currently fishes the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Bass Champs, and gained national prominence as the Ceremonial Launch Boats for the 2009 Bassmasters Classic.

Returning Heroes Home, a 12,000 square-foot rehabilitation center, is funded solely by private donations, and provides space for wounded soldiers undergoing treatment in San Antonio, allowing them to spend private time with their friends and families when they are not actively participating in rehabilitative treatment. In addition to supporting Returning Heroes Home, ArmyBassAnglers is dedicated to taking soldiers fishing through its Fishing For Freedom bass tournaments.

“We don’t consider ourselves professional fishermen, but professional soldiers who just happen to be really good, avid anglers with a far more important mission,” says Roberson.

For more information about Returning Heroes Home or Fishing for Freedom, make a contribution, view tournament schedule or subscribe to the ABA e-newsletter, visit www.armybassanglers.com. Lake Fork Trophy Lures may be found at retailers nationwide, including Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Cabela’s, and Sportsman’s Warehouse among others.