The following letter went out to 2011 BPS Lake Simcoe Open anglers last week. They can begin to apply for this year's event March 2nd. Please note the 2012 rules are not online yet, so don't worry about signing those to send with your application. Applications are up on the site below as well as www.aurorabass.com

For Immediate Release:
February 24 2012

Lake Simcoe Ontario: The Aurora Bassmasters, host of Canada’s premier one day bass fishing tournament, are pleased to announce that the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open will be held out of Orillia, on Saturday October 20. Additionally, the organizing committee – which includes members from the club, from the Bass Pro Shops store in Vaughan and from the CSFL, have set aside the date of March 2nd 2012 when anglers who fished the event last year begin to have a one week opportunity to sign up for the tournament ahead of other anglers. Those who take advantage of this opportunity may fish with someone other than whom they competed with in 2011. All applications must be accompanied with full payment of $400.00 per team.

Those anglers who apply and pay early will be guaranteeing their entry into the event,(upon acceptance of application) however team numbers will not be awarded by the order they were received at the store. Subsequently, when general registration opens on March 9th at the BPS Customer Service Desk for all those interested in competing, the same will apply. Management at Bass Pro Shops is concerned that everyone who competes in the event will have an equal opportunity for low numbers. “Therefore we will provide a free draw for those team numbers immediately upon registration at the sign-in table during rules night. Once registered, one team member will place their hand into a drum and pick their team number. With consistently full fields over the last several years of 100 or 110 teams, it has become clear that demand to fish this event remains high. However making certain that entries coming in to Bass Pro Shops (by mail, courier and or in person), correspond with eventual team numbers awarded, has proven to be very challenging. This system puts everyone on even footing ... in the same boat if you will”, says Lisa DeBartolo of Bass Pro Shops. There will be 15% early bird coupons issued until July 1st for all who register by then, however coupons cannot be used during the time frame of March 9th-March 25th.

The organizing committee of the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open have already been hard at work planning this year’s event. “In previous years we have had well over 100% payout in cash and prizes and this year’s event will be no exception”, said Ms DeBartolo.
At this time we are also happy to announce that thanks to continued support from our generous sponsors, that entry fees which have remained unchanged for the last couple of years, will continue to be $380 per two person team; plus $20 for the Big Fish pot ($400 total) for 2012.

Anglers wishing to apply should forward a completed 2012 Application Form (available at www.simcoeopen.com ) accompanied with a signed copy of the last page of the rules (also on the website) and a $400 non-refundable cheque payable to: SIMCOE OPEN, and mail, courier or deliver it to:
1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 5W4.

For More Information Please Visit:
www.simcoeopen or www.aurorabass.com


Thank You,

Wil Wegman, Aurora Bassmasters
Media Relations/2012 BPS Lake Simcoe Open