Press release
For Immediate Release July 25 2011

2011 Simcoe Open Welcomes Back Bass Pro Shops as Title Sponsor

~ Bass Pro Shops Sign On For Fifth Year ~

Vaughan, ON. Today we are pleased to announce that Bass Pro Shops has once again committed to title Sponsorship of the Lake Simcoe Open. Canada’s premier one day bass fishing extravaganza, hosted by the Aurora Bassmasters is slated to take place Saturday, October 22, 2011 out of Couchiching Beach Park in the City of Orillia.

The BPS Lake Simcoe Open hosted by the Aurora Bassmasters began as the "Crackle Cup" in 2001 as a late fall tournament that would capitalize on the incredible autumn smallmouth bass fishing opportunities that Lake Simcoe offers. Total weights over 28 pounds soon became the norm as the tournament grew in popularity. In 2007, Bass Pro Shops Canada became the title sponsor and have since attracted other sponsors that help provide payouts and incentives seldom seen anywhere else in Canada.

The Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open made Canadian bass tournament history in 2010, when it broke the previous record for the five heaviest bass ever weighed in on Canadian soil. That record was set ... and is still in the hands of Joey Muszynski and Mark Moran who weighed in an astounding 31.5 pounds of smallmouth bass from Simcoe. For their record win, the duo took home the guaranteed $25,000 for first place and an additional $20,000 for the Toyota Truck Record Payout. That extra payout was the culmination of four years at $5,000 annually towards the pot- should the record be broken. They also won $5,500 for the Shimano Pay to Play bonus and $2,500 for using a Minn Kota electric motor and running Humminbird electronics. Their $53,000 total cash payout is one of the highest in the history of tournament fishing in the country. Additionally, the heaviest single bass ever weighed in a Canadian tournament was also caught during the same event by the team of James Paluch and Shaun McKay who caught a monster 8.05 smallmouth that earned them $4,000, plus an additional $1,000 for the Berkley Trilene 8lb Test prize.

2011 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open ... Much the same as last year:
We are thrilled that Bass Pro Shops is back as Title Sponsor of the 2011 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open. Bass Pro brings with it significant marketing expertise that will help retain sponsors from previous years and acquire new ones for 2011, ” said Herb Quan- president of the Aurora Bassmasters.
“We would like to thank previous sponsors who have already committed to this year’s event and look forward to signing on most of the others. Additionally, negotiations are in place with several other companies who have expressed interest in supporting this premier event, said Quan.” The 2011 BPS Lake Simcoe Open organizing committee ... who are made up of representatives from Bass Pro Shops, the Aurora Bassmasters and the Canadian Sportfishing League, have been hard at work to ensure another successful tournament takes place in 2011. We are building upon the existing framework that has been put into place for the tournament and are not expecting any drastic changes for 2011. We also look forward to bringing new dimensions to the already exciting weigh-in ceremony that should attract more spectators from near and far who want to be part of the event,” concluded Quan.

Details For Competing Anglers:

Although the tournament is still months away, many anglers are already looking forward to signing up for the last major bass tournament of the season. The Aurora Bassmasters are therefore pleased to announce that the application process for previous 2010 anglers is now open. These anglers will have a one week period ahead of other anglers to fill out an application form. Total entry fees remain unchanged from last year and will be $380 per two person team; plus $20 for the Big Fish pot ($400 total). Anglers wishing to apply should forward a completed 2011 Application Form (attached and available at www.simcoeopen.com ) accompanied with a signed copy of the last page of the rules (attached) and a $400 non-refundable cheque payable to: SIMCOE OPEN, and mail it to 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 5W4. A completed application form, signed copy of the rules and payment, does not automatically constitute entry as the Tournament Director and Tournament Organizing Committee reserve the right to refuse/deny entry.

New for 2011 will be an opportunity for anglers to pay in person at the store. Just visit the back counter where applications are available and payment (in cheque or cash) can be made. As an added bonus, those who do visit the store to pay and apply before August 31st will receive a 15% BPS store discount coupon. Initially, one team member can fill out the application form and sign it and the rules page, however on the night of registration or sooner, that other team member must sign as well. Anglers will not receive their boat numbers until the mandatory pre-tournament meeting on the Friday evening before the tournament, however boat numbers are generally assigned according to when applications and cheques are received. Of paramount importance is that all competing anglers include their most up to date email addresses as direct email will become the primary form of communication with all competing anglers.

Please note ... that once again we will cap this event at 100 teams. Once the tournament is full, those wishing to still compete are encouraged to apply and send in a cheque. These anglers will be added to the waiting list. If a team drops out, the first team on the waiting list will be contacted, asked if they still want in and if so – at that point their cheque will be cashed and they will become eligible to compete.

Please stay tuned to www.simcoeopen.com for the latest updates.

Thank You,

Sincerely,


Wil Wegman,
Aurora Bassmasters
www.aurorabass.com