Important note from Wil Wegman.........

All those anglers who supplied emails but did not receive this directly last night, please to forward to me both their email address and that of their partner. This announcement bounced back from several competitors last night – many of whom registered very early in the year and whose emails may have changed between now and then.



Hello to all those fishing in the 2008 BPS Lake Simcoe Open.

Please see below our latest press release that was sent to media yesterday, but also has some important messages for competing anglers.

We would like to let all those know who have been calling and emailing about the predicted wind forecasts for this weekend, that we are also watching weather patterns closely and that we are fully aware of the potential for high winds both Saturday and Sunday. At this early stage however, a decision to postpone the event cannot be made. The tournament director along with the BPS Lake Simcoe Open organizing committee will, if necessary, try to make a decision to postpone later this week and will immediately communicate these details to you thru email and then also post on www.aurorabass.com . We are of course hoping that this current weather pattern dissipates before our big day Saturday Oct 25th, however safety for all anglers is our primary concern. Please stay tuned and check your email, this Big Fat bass site and the aurora site regularly for further announcements throughout the week.

Early registration is slated for 7pm to 9pm on the Friday Oct 14th . . . at our host hotel – The Lionshead Resort in Jacksons Point. There are still be rooms available. Please review the posted General Rules, Regulations & Liability in addition to the Awards & Contingencies Summary. Please also keep in mind both Team members need to provide an individually signed copy of the application form which is also on the Aurora site under forms.

For those who have had a partner drop out on them … please keep in mind we have already posted payouts based on a full field of 80 teams. Our waiting list teams are already signed up. We urge you to do everything in your power to find another angler to fish with you.

Thank you all for your support.

Wil Wegman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Aurora Bassmasters are pleased to announce that a full field of 80 teams – or 160 anglers are anxiously anticipating Canada’s premier one day bass tournament. The Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open on October 25th, 2008 at Sibbald Point Provincial Park in Sutton Ontario is destined to showcase the tremendous fishery of Lake Simcoe. With over ¼ million inland lakes in Ontario, Lake Simcoe arguably has more trophy smallmouth bass than found anywhere else in the province. Some think this event could see not just one, but two records broken.

This tournament is recognized for continually setting and then breaking its own Canadian all time record for the five heaviest bass ever weighed in during a one day event. It currently stands at 29.90 lbs for five massive smallmouth that were weighed in during the 2006 tournament. If the winners of the event also happen to break the 30 pound barrier, they will take home an additional $10,000 on top of the $10,000 guaranteed winners’ purse. Additionally, if the winners also entered the voluntary Shimano Pay to Play Challenge, they could also pocket a potential $6,500 on top of the $20,000. Shimano is starting that pot with $2,000 cash plus two of their high end rods and reels. Any team interested in entering would contribute $40 at registration – but only those who pay can play!

The other record that could be broken is the all-Ontario record smallmouth bass– currently sitting at 9.84 lbs. If a single eligible live bass tips the scales at more than this, the team would win a new Toyota Tundra truck and Tracker Tundra boat – a package valued at over $100,000.

With all the incredible incentives available for big bass caught during this tournament, the Aurora Bassmasters have made the unprecedented move to purchase a high tech Magic Wand metal detector, similar to those used at airports. Herb Quan president of the club remarked “We got to thinking that it wouldn’t hurt to have this device, which is capable of detecting even small amounts of lead or other metals, on hand should any fish weigh significantly heavier then it appears. By stroking the Magic Wand over the fishes’ body, a buzzer would go off if there were any lead or metal inside. Of course, our rules stipulate that no intentional altering of a fishes’ weight is permitted”.

All accepted applicants have already been contacted via email and a waiting list is in effect. Those on the waiting list will not be contacted unless a team position becomes vacant.

As new information is made available, it will be posted on the Aurora Bassmasters site at www.aurorabass.com. Application Forms and a complete listing of General Rules, Regulations & Liability are available online through the Aurora Bassmasters and the Official Site of the Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open – www.simcoeopen.com (in development). The Aurora Bassmasters are one of 30 clubs across the province belonging to the Ontario BASS Federation Nation at www.ontariobass.com

Lionshead Lakefront Resort, the host hotel will provide competing anglers with their Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open Group Rate for Friday and Saturday night from $99.00 for a standard room; limited rooms are available at this rate. With the two night booking, anglers can add the Thursday or Sunday night room for only $79.00.

Please note that in case stormy seas prohibit safe fishing, the event will be held the next day – on Sunday Oct 26th if conditions improve, or otherwise on the following Saturday.

The Aurora Bassmasters are one of 30 clubs across the province belonging to the Ontario BASS Federation Nation at www.ontariobass.com.


Press Release Prepared By:
Wil Wegman
wil.wegman@rogers.com

For More Information Contact:
Herb Quan: Registration quanchuk@allstream.net
Simon Frost: tymike@sympatico.ca