Berkley Fishing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Feb. 26, 2010) – The Berkley Conservation Institute (BCI) awarded the Ontario, Canada, BASS Federation Nation Club York Bassmasters the annual Berkley Angler Conservation Award. The $2000 award was presented at the BASS Federation Recognition Banquet Feb. 25 in Shreveport, LA, during the Bassmaster Classic. BASS Conservation Director Noreen Clough made the announcement.

The York Bassmasters won the award for its multi-year restoration effort on Bogart Creek, a tributary of Lake Simcoe, one of Canada’s best smallmouth fisheries.

“The York Bassmasters are honored to win the 2011 Berkley Conservation Award,” said Tony Dean, club conservation director. “Our ongoing conservation project will ensure Bogart Creek is restored to its natural splendor. As a tributary into Lake Simcoe, it is vital to ensure Bogart Creek and its wetlands are protected and enhanced, which will benefit future generations of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.”
“It is always a delight to read and judge the many entries in the competition for the Berkley awards for angler recruitment/retention and for conservation of our fishable waters,” said Jim Martin, conservation director for the Berkley Conservation Institute. “It reminds us of the commitment of B.A.S.S. anglers and Federation Nation organizations to give back to the habitat and resource that is the foundation of our sport and passion.

“Many people think that B.A.S.S. is just about fishing and tournaments, and this gives us an opportunity to show that B.A.S.S. is about so much more,” continued Martin. “We at Pure Fishing are delighted to continue the annual Berkley awards as a way to highlight the work and thank the passionate anglers.”

“I was very impressed with the 2011 submissions,” added Noreen Clough, B.A.S.S. national conservation director. “The conservation award submissions were all top-notch, and the choice was difficult. Work by the York Bassmasters was most impressive,” she added, “because it included so many elements, from fish sampling and restocking with Canada Fisheries to removal of invasive vegetation, tree plantings and trash cleanups.”

BCI is a division of the Pure Fishing Company, the world’s largest tackle company headquartered in Columbia, SC. The brand names of Pure Fishing include Abu Garcia, All Star Rods, Berkley, Fenwick, Mitchell, Penn, Pflueger, Shakespeare, Spiderwire and Stren.