Tune in Aug. 1 to the “FLW Outdoors” television show on the Outdoor Life Network to watch the final qualifying tournament on the 2004 Wal-Mart FLW Tour. The $1.25 million Forrest Wood Open presented by Kellogg’s took place on Lake Champlain in New York in late June, and not only was the 2004 Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year decided, but the 48-angler field was also set for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship, which will be held Aug. 11-14 on Logan Martin Lake in Birmingham, Ala. The show will highlight the entire tournament, culminating with Team BFGoodrich Tires pro Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., leaving the winner’s circle $200,000 richer.
Following the event’s opening round, pro angler Shinichi Fukae of Osaka, Japan, landed a $25,000 cash prize and the cover of a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box as the 2004 Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year. Show host Carlton Wing will talk to Fukae, who completed his rookie season on the FLW Tour with an unprecedented three top-10 finishes. The reigning Japan Bass Angler of the Year also made bass-fishing history as the first and only angler to hold such a title in two countries. Fukae is now gearing up for his first championship appearance.
Martin took home more than $200,000 in cash awards from Lake Champlain and has now amassed more than half a million dollars in winnings on the FLW Tour. The Forrest Wood Open was Martin’s second FLW Tour win; his first was in 2000 on the Pascagoula River.
The show will also include detailed information about the event’s 10 finalists, which include last year’s Forrest Wood Open winner, Aaron Martens of Castaic, Calif., who netted a $100,000 check for second place, and David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn., who ended up in fifth place, which is where he also ranked in the year-end points standings.
The Outdoor Life Network broadcasts “FLW Outdoors” Sundays from 1-2 p.m. Eastern and again Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. Check local listings for show times and channels in your area.
During each tournament show, FLW Outdoors television hosts Carlton Wing and Taylor Carr will go on location to provide on-the-water coverage. While tournament weigh-ins will broadcast live at Wal-Mart stores throughout the country, “FLW Outdoors” will be tape-delayed by three weeks to bring audiences nationwide the best tournament footage possible throughout the season.By: Bill Petrowiak, FLW Outdoors