(Apr. 27, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Yamaha Marine Group has promoted Ben Speciale to Vice President of Operations and Planning, according to Phil Dyskow, President.      Speciale will have more oversight of the entire Yamaha marine operation including expanded roles within strategic planning, customer service and financial performance

(Apr. 26, 2005 - Little Rock, AR) Rain won¹t get fishermen down this season on the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup. That¹s because Frogg Toggs, America¹s leading waterproof, breathable affordable raingear and The Redfish Nation announced today that the Alabama company has signed a multi-year agreement to be presenting sponsor of the world¹s most lucrative and visible redfish tournament circuit_The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup on ESPN2.

(Apr. 22, 2005 - Rogers, AR.) Anglers and fishing fans alike have teamed up with FLW Outdoors and its sponsors to make a difference in the Rogers community by donating more than $6,500 to local conservation efforts. At the recent Wal-Mart Open held on Beaver Lake April 13-16, FLW Outdoors, the FishAmerica Foundation and Castrol administered a conservation program through which wristbands were sold for a minimum of $1 each, and proceeds were donated to a local fisheries-enhancement project.

(Apr. 22, 2005 - Athens, TX) Nick Birlee of Longview caught Budweiser ShareLunker # 24 from Lake Sam Rayburn on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

(Apr. 18, 2005 - Kilgore, TX,) Skeeter Boats has expanded its dealer family by bringing 12 new dealers on board to carry the Skeeter line of high-performance fishing boats, including two in Canada.

(Apr. 18, 2005 - Lewisville, TX) The top professional bass anglers will take to the waters of Lewisville Lake this summer as the Bassmaster Elite 50 tournament series makes its first stop in the North Texas area. The event will be held June 1-4 and is being coordinated locally by the Lewisville Visitors Bureau and the City of Lewisville.

(Apr. 18, 2005 - Athens, TX) Lake Alan Henry has done it again, producing its ninth Budweiser ShareLunker of the season. Matthew Kent Jolly of Lubbock caught the 13.0-pound fish about 2:30 p.m. April 15 from six feet of water on the south side of Gobbler Creek.

(Apr. 14, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Adam Hall of Cartersville, Ga., has joined the OEM division of Yamaha Marine Group as regional sales and marketing coordinator, according to General Manager Outboard Sales Tim Fernandez.

(Apr. 13, 2005 - Tulsa, OK) 2005 Hooked On Fishing International, organizers of the largest youth/family event partnership program in the country, expects to surpass its 2004 record-setting year with more than 1,900 Kids All-American Fishing events scheduled for 2005. More than 350,000 youngsters will participate in this year's events, which translates into a 12% increase in the amount of participants per event over last year.

(Apr. 14, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) During the inaugural Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour in Ft. Pierce on April 1-2, over 100 teams fought the elements and each other for as much as $100,000 in first place prize money.

(Apr. 12, 2005 - WASHINGTON, DC) Interior Secretary Gale Norton today commended the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wal-Mart for developing an innovative conservation partnership under which the company will contribute $35 million over the next 10 years to conserve and protect vital wildlife habitat across the country.

(Apr. 05, 2005 - Athens, TX) When the Texas Legislature named the Guadalupe bass the state fish of Texas in 1989, it did so because of the fish's distinctive nature. Found nowhere else in the world outside the San Antonio, Guadalupe, Colorado and Brazos river systems, the Guadalupe bass exemplifies the qualities and resources of the Texas Hill Country.

(Apr. 07, 2005 - AUSTIN, Texas) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has adopted a series of changes to state hunting and fishing regulations that offer greater harvest flexibility on lands managed for mule deer and prairie chickens, while simplifying and expanding hunting opportunity in other areas.

(Apr. 06, 2005 - Greensboro, N.C.) Wrangler Rugged Wear® sends a message to all anglers, hikers, campers, climbers, backpackers, paddlers, peddlers and outdoor enthusiasts – We are Geared for the Outdoors.  The new logo and tagline brings to life the brand’s positioning as the most functional, comfortable and durable apparel brand for those who live and love the outdoor lifestyle.

(Apr. 01, 2005 - Kilgore, TX,) Just two of the treats awaiting Skeeter Boat owners at the annual Skeeter Owner’s Tournament, June 9-12, in Lake Fork, Texas, will be a custom-made Limited Edition Skeeter Owner’s Tournament rod from Houston-based All-Star Graphite Rods, Inc.  And, the New Kodiak 450 Automatic 4x4, the toughest and best mid-sized ATV on the market from Yamaha.  

(Mar. 31, 2005 - WASHINGTON, DC) The nation's marine fisheries management council leaders gave their outstanding leadership award to the top federal manager, NOAA's Fisheries Service director Bill Hogarth, at the group's second annual national fisheries conference held in Washington, D.C. last week. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

(Mar. 31, 2005 - ) Many of the world’s most talented outdoors athletes will converge on Central Florida and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex to compete in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge. Officials from ESPN Outdoors and Disney Sports Attractions announced today that the Games will be staged July 7-10, 2005 and broadcast July 13-17, 2005 on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports.

(Apr. 01, 2005 - ROGERS, AR.) On April 15 at 9 a.m. select members of Fujifilm’s pro-fishing team will visit Tucker Elementary School in Lowell, Ark., to meet with an assembly of fifth-grade students. The anglers will talk about the family-friendly sport of fishing and the importance of conservation. The team will be in Rogers for the $1.25 million Wal-Mart Open powered by Tyson on Beaver Lake that takes place April 13-16.

(Mar. 31, 2005 - FORT PIERCE, FL.) Maverick Boat Company Inc. president Scott Deal announced today he will purchase the Cobia boat brand from C&C Manufacturing Inc., which also builds Century Boats, a move expected to strengthen both Century and Cobia boat brands and generate a win-win-win situation for customers, dealers and the manufacturers. The purchase price was not disclosed.

(Mar. 30, 2005 - Overland Park, KS) David Pearsall Bushnell, who founded the Bushnell Optical Corporation and grew it to become the largest source of binoculars in the United States, passed away quietly at his home in Laguna Beach, Calif., on March 24, 2005. He was 92.

(Mar. 23, 2005 - Athens, TX) Ray A. Murski of Meridian has been named to the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Murski is a partner in the Bliss-Murski Sales Company and the owner of the Strike King Lure Company, a leading manufacturer of freshwater spinner baits. He is being honored for his lifetime of involvement with freshwater fishing and his many contributions to conservation.

(Mar. 22, 2005 - Athens, TX) Anglers caught four Budweiser ShareLunkers from four widely separated lakes the weekend of March 11-13, bringing the season’s total to 16. The big bass came from lakes Alan Henry, Austin, Choke Canyon and Fork.

(Mar. 22, 2005 - MONROE, La.) Anglers and fishing fans alike have teamed up with FLW Outdoors and its sponsors to make a difference in the Monroe community by donating more than $6,000 to local conservation efforts. At the recent Wal-Mart FLW Tour event held on the Ouachita River March 9-12, FLW Outdoors, the FishAmerica Foundation and Castrol initiated a conservation program through which wristbands were sold for a minimum of $1 and proceeds where donated to a local fisheries enhancement project.

(Mar. 25, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Rookie fishing phenom Bobby Lane, who leads the FLW points and the BassFan Rookie of the Year Race, is wearing blue. He started the year without a motor sponsor, but has recently joined the Yamaha pro staff. Although he wore a Yamaha fishing cap  at the Ouachita River FLW, he only  officially signed with Yamaha 2 days ago on March 22.

(Mar. 23, 2005 - CHICAGO, IL) The first event for the 2005 Discover Boating & Take Me Fishing Tour, organized and managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), has been scheduled. This year’s Tour kicks off May 13 to 22 at the Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY, and will visit events across the country through November.

(Mar. 22, 2005 - Irvine, CA) All with the goal to educate, excite and motivate people to experience the passion for the sport of fishing, Shimano is on the road throughout the winter and spring with its 2005 Shimano Fishing Tour.

(Mar. 21, 2005 - ALEXANDRIA, VA) On March 10, 2005, Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), received the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' (USFWS) Assistant Director's Conservation Award for his outstanding contributions to the conservation of aquatic habitats at the USFWS Second Annual "Hook and Cook" Festival.

(Mar. 21, 2005 - Athens, TX) Lake Alan Henry, the diminutive 2,880-acre reservoir southeast of Lubbock, did it again this weekend, contributing its sixth Budweiser ShareLunker since January 1.

(Mar. 16, 2005 - Kilgore, TX) Lake Fork, one of the world’s legendary bass fishing destinations is again home to the Skeeter Boats 12th Annual Owner’s Tournament  attracting over 1,750 anglers, the largest  such  tournament in the United States.  Comprised of two days of registration and demo events, and two days of competition set amid world-class Lake Fork known for its big bass, the tournament committee promises an even bigger and better event.  

(Mar. 16, 2005 - Miami, FL) Don’t miss out on your chance to win!! The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament is still holding its Boat and Engine Raffles to help raise money for marine conservation, but time and tickets are running out! 

(Mar. 17, 2005 - Miami, FL) The nation's top marine journalists were recognized at the Miami International Boat Show in an annual writing contest conducted by the membership of Boating Writers International (BWI) and sponsored in part by Yamaha Marine.

(Mar. 16, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.) April 15 is, of course, the deadline for taxpayers to file their returns. But it's also the deadline for the Yamaha Scholars Program, which provides children or grandchildren of full-line authorized Yamaha Outboard dealers and employees $3,000 scholarships for college or trade school.

(Mar. 15, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Yamaha Marine has signed a three-year agreement with North American Fishing Club (NAFC) to sponsor two of its television shows, North American Fisherman's "Fishing Club Journal" and "North American Fisherman".

(Mar. 14, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Tim Haney of Loganville, Ga., has joined the promotions division of Yamaha Marine Group as the saltwater promotions coordinator, according to Yamaha’s Promotions Division Manager Cindy Sanders.

(Mar. 14, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.) Jerreth Bain of Knoxville, Tenn., has joined the promotions division of Yamaha Marine Group as the freshwater promotions coordinator, according to Yamaha’s Promotions Division Manager Cindy Sanders.

(Mar. 12, 2005 - Lake Sam Rayburn, TX) March 15, 2012- Sam Rayburn Chemical Reserve, TX. With the townships of Etoile, Broaddus, Zavalla, Brookeland, and Sam Rayburn vacated and boarded up for extermination, the cities of San Augustine, Jasper, and Kirbyville became the latest victims of blatant indifference today as they were put on notice of mandatory evacuation when northwest winds began blowing poisonous chemical vapors towards their business and housing districts.

(Mar. 11, 2005 - Lake Champlain, VT) Vermont's unique Green Up Day is like spring cleaning, only bigger. Thousands of Vermonters of all ages and all walks of life come together to clean up and spruce up their communities. Volunteers pick up litter from roadsides, waterways and public places.

(Mar. 10, 2005 - ) The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation announces a new branding direction and expanded target audience to enhance its ongoing marketing initiative to grow fishing and boating participation nationwide.   The non-profit organization’s Water Works Wonders™ brand has been changed to Take Me Fishing. The RBFF board of directors made the decision in response to findings from a 2004 advertising awareness study and other campaign evaluation considerations.

(Mar. 07, 2005 - Athens, TX) Anglers contributed two lunker largemouth bass to the Budweiser ShareLunker program over the weekend, bringing the number of fish entered into the program this season to 12.

(Mar. 05, 2005 - Umphrey Family Pavilion, Lake Sam Rayburn, TX.) Providing a positive contribution for economic improvements of Jasper County, and surrounding Lake Sam Rayburn area business interests, Dawson Marine of Jasper and Beaumont TX, donated a $5,000 check to the Umphrey Family Pavilion. The $5,000 donation will be used by the LSRPA (Lake Sam Rayburn Pavilion Assn;) in an ongoing effort of providing a class-A events facility for Lake Sam Rayburn.

(Mar. 03, 2005 - CHICAGO, IL) The Grow Boating Initiative today announced that Raymarine has once again made a generous donation to the Grow Boating Start Up Fund. The company's most recent contribution was triple its original donation made in December.

(Mar. 02, 2005 - Flippin, AR) With the all-time highest contingency payouts in tournament fishing, the legendary Ranger Cup program continues to be the bellwether. In 2005, the program has added more qualified events, more money, and more opportunity for Ranger anglers to take home even larger winnings. The popular program currently covers literally hundreds of national, regional, and grass roots fishing events.

(Mar. 02, 2005 - HARRISBURG, PA) Joseph Polityka of Leesport, PA was the Grand Prize winner in a drawing to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show® presented by Field & Stream and Outdoor Life.

(Mar. 01, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Denny Davidson, Madison, Wisc., has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager for the OEM division of Yamaha Marine, according to Tim Fernandez, Yamaha Outboard Sales General Manager. Davidson has been with Yamaha’s Outboard Dealer Sales division for more than four years as the District Marketing Manager for the state of Wisconsin and parts of Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.

(Feb. 27, 2005 - KENNESAW, Ga.,) Team Yamaha’s redfish anglers will be out in full force in Sarasota, Fla., for the inaugural Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series East Division tournament March 4-5, sponsored in part by Yamaha Outboards.

(Feb. 25, 2005 - Cofresi, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) The north shore of the island of Hispañola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, will see its first full service marina open in the Fall/Winter of 2005.

(Feb. 25, 2005 - Hanover, MD) The Northern Snakehead fish has received much publicity since it's first invasion of a community pond in central Maryland. Now, the predatory, nonnative Snakehead has been found in the Potomac River where last year, 20 were caught.

(Feb. 26, 2005 - Moultrie, GA) Moultrie, Georgia-Tack-L-Pack, a fishing tackle manufacturer and Fish-N-Systems, a wholesaler of fishing tackle in Georgia announces the news of its KIDS FISHING CLUB of AMERICA.

(Feb. 23, 2005 - PANAMA CITY, FL) Century Boats has signed on as exclusive boat sponsor for the second season of the Chevy Florida Fishing Report produced by Sun Sports on the Florida Sports Network. The Chevy Florida Fishing Report is a live one-hour, Emmy Award-winning series that gives Florida's fishing enthusiasts a full news report each Thursday evening.

(Feb. 19, 2005 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN) FLW Outdoors announced today that Raymarine, the world leader in marine electronics, will be the exclusive marine electronics sponsor of the new Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series. Raymarine develops and manufacturers the most comprehensive range of electronic equipment for the marine industry.