BPS Simcoe Open Year Two!!!!
With the resounding success of the 2007 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open, the Aurora Bassmasters are pleased to announce that Bass Pro Shops Canada, Inc. has again committed to Title Sponsor of the Lake Simcoe event slated for Saturday, October 25th, 2008. For the first time, 2007 saw the Aurora Bassmasters move the event to Sibbald Point Provincial Park and the club is proud to once again hold the event at this great site in 2008.
Of note, the 30lbs five-fish limit benchmark eluded 2007 Champions, Robert Formosa and Jason Saliba who weighed in 29.22lbs. Their weight was also just shy of the previous all-time Canadian one-day tournament record of 29.90lbs set the year before at this same event previously known as the Crackle Cup. With no team topping 30lbs, the Bass Pro Shops Record Payout will double for the 2008 event to a total bonus valued at $7,000.
“We’re excited to be back as Title Sponsor of the 2008 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open.” says George Wallace, Canadian Market Manager, Bass Pro Shops. “The Aurora Bassmasters did an impeccable job ensuring a smooth transition and growth from one year to the next. We are thankful to all those that played an integral role in this past year’s successes. In particular, we would like to thank the numerous volunteers, sponsors, suppliers and tournament organizers alike; and, one cannot forget the full field of competing anglers. With this in mind, we’re looking forward to what the New Year holds; again, building upon the success of this long-standing event, making it into truly something special!” Wallace concluded.
Herb Quan president of the Aurora Bassmasters added, “On behalf of the Aurora Bassmasters, I’d like to thank BPS for their continued commitment. In 2007, they helped elevate this event to new heights with their proven marketing capabilities. Just like last year, BPS will help us continue to achieve incredible exposure for the tournament itself through 2008, but they will also generate increased awareness of our bass research project.” Quan is referring to a bass-tagging project spearheaded by the Aurora Bassmasters in 2006 and supported by MNR’s Community Fisheries Wildlife Improvement Program and Queens University through the lab of Dr. Bruce Tufts and his colleague Matt DeMille. Quan went on to say, “In our continuing efforts to play host to a first-rate event, we are also pleased to announce not only the return of Andy and Vita Pallotta from the CSFL but that Andy will now be our official Tournament Director.”
Limited Field … Early Application Encouraged:
Competing anglers are encouraged to pre-apply as the second year field will be limited to 80 teams. NEW: total entry fees per team will be $280; this includes $20 for Big Fish and $10 for Launch. Anglers wishing to pre-apply should send a $50.00 non-refundable deposit (cheque) or the entire amount payable to Aurora Bassmasters: c/o Herb Quan 58 English Ivy Way, Willowdale, ON M2H 3M4. Payment in full must be received prior to September 30, 2008. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the Team’s entry position. Cheques must accompany a completed 2008 Application Form available through www.aurorabass.com. An Application Form by itself does not automatically constitute entry; furthermore, the Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse/deny entry.
In order to maintain the highest level of communication between tournament organizers and anglers prior to the event itself, we are asking all applicants to include their email addresses on the Application Form so that all notices and event-related messaging can be relayed directly to all interested parties.
Outside the traditional 80% payout structure, additional announcements are pending in support of the BPS Lake Simcoe Open by participating sponsors including Toyota, Tracker Boats, Yamaha, Pure Fishing, Rapala, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Shimano, Mustang Survival and many more in association with Big Fish, a potential All-New Ontario Smallmouth Record Payout and much, much more.
As new information is made available, it will be posted on the Aurora Bassmasters site at www.aurorabass.com in the coming weeks and months. Application Forms and a complete listing of General Rules, Regulations & Liability will be made available online through the Aurora Bassmasters. The Aurora Bassmasters are one of 30 clubs across the province belonging to the Ontario BASS Federation Nation at www.ontariobass.com.
