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Dave Washburn, communications director, (270) 252-1607
 

For Immediate Release
 

Hank Parker, Larry Nixon Join ‘FLW Outdoors’ TV Series
 

Benton, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2002) — FLW Outdoors has added two of bass fishing’s
heavy hitters to its television lineup for 2003. Company executives
announced Monday that Hank Parker and Larry Nixon have joined the “FLW
Outdoors” show, which is broadcast during prime time to 45 million Outdoor
Life Network (OLN) subscribers.

Boasting legendary professional fishing credentials, the duo brings nearly
50 years of competitive fishing experience to the show. Both men will lend
their fishing expertise to viewers during extensive on-the-water segments
scheduled to air throughout the program’s 28-episode season, which runs Jan.
25 to July  5, 2003, with special championship episodes airing in September.

Parker is a two-time Classic champion and host of one of the nation’s
highest-rated outdoor programs, “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine,” which in
2003 will begin its 17th season on TNN. Parker’s fishing career started in
1978, and during the next 13 years, he finished in the money in more than 76
percent of the 120-plus bass tournaments he entered. Perhaps his popularity
among the nation’s 77 million outdoor enthusiasts was summed up best by
sportscaster Greg Gumble when he introduced Parker to a national TV audience
as “the rod and reel answer to Michael Jordan.”

Parker’s goal has always been to promote the wholesome family-oriented
aspects of fishing and other outdoor activities. “I’m thrilled to join the
‘FLW Outdoors’ cast and to be part of such a well-respected company in the
fishing industry,” Parker said. “My mission is to bring the personalities of
the world’s top anglers to life and show the nation’s fishing enthusiasts
some of the intense preparation professional anglers go through before each
tournament.”

Nixon hit the bass-fishing tournament trail in 1977 and was the first
professional angler to break the $1 million mark in career earnings. He has
qualified for 22 Classics. Nixon is also a five-time Wal-Mart FLW Tour
championship qualifier with nearly $460,000 in FLW Tour earnings since
joining the tour in 1998. He has earned six FLW Tour top-10 finishes,
including two victories. For the last three years, Nixon has hosted his own
fishing show, “Larry Nixon’s Fishing Lessons,” on OLN.

Nixon has actively promoted fishery conservation throughout his career, and
today he ranks as one of the most competitive anglers on tour. “I’m going to
shed some light on tournament-winning techniques and presentations,” Nixon
said. “Fishing is one of the greatest sports in the world. It’s fairly easy
to get started but almost impossible to master. My goal is to help anglers
nationwide become better at their craft.”

The Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship to be held Sept. 11-14 on Cross Lake in
Shreveport, La., will be broadcast on OLN at 7 p.m. EST Sept. 22, 7 p.m. EST
Sept. 24 and 7 p.m. EST Sept. 26. “FLW Outdoors” coverage of the EverStart
Series and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit championships will air later this
year.

Produced by Dempsey Film Group in Little Rock, Ark., “FLW Outdoors” features
an all-new format for 2003. It is now an on-location, on-the-water program
featuring the techniques and personalities of the top pros in fishing.
Parker and Nixon will join the existing ‘FLW Outdoors’ cast that includes
Carlton Wing, Taylor Carr and Charlie Evans.

OLN is a leader in outdoor and adventure programming. The company
anticipates serving 55 million viewers by year’s end. FLW Outdoors is the
world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing. This season the company
will operate 170 tournaments, awarding anglers up to $22 million through the
Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart
Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit and Ranger M1.

Sponsors of the 2002 season are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods, BFGoodrich Tires,
Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Conseco, Eagle Electronics, Energizer, EverStart
Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, Kellogg’s, Land O’
Lakes, Minn Kota, Newell Rubbermaid, Pepsi, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac,
Snickers, Stanley Works, U.S. Bank, Weed Eater and Yamaha Outboards.

Visit FLWOutdoors.com or OLNTV.com for additional information.

	Laker

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