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Update on Anglers Involved in Boating Accident at FLW Tour on Lake Okeechobee
MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2018) – Pro competitors Andy Young of Mound, Minnesota, and William Campbell of Middlesboro, Kentucky, were involved in a boat collision on opening day of the FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee last week. The collision happened while both anglers were running the lake and met at the end of a boat lane near Moonshine Bay. Co-angler James Bianchi of Rush, New York, was in Young’s boat, while Lee Frye of Brooksville, Florida, was the co-angler in Campbell’s boat.

Young and Bianchi were ejected, but were able to return to their boat after Young’s mandatory ignition shutoff device disengaged the engine. While damaged, both boats returned under their own power to the launch site at the Clewiston Boat Basin.
Young sought medical attention upon his return to the ramp and was admitted to a local medical facility. He has since been released. Bianchi, Campbell and Frye declined medical attention.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is currently investigating the accident.
Young’s catch was weighed and he finished the day with five bass weighing 10 pounds even. He was unable to compete on Day Two and finished the tournament in 179th place. Campbell and Frye were late in their return to check-in and they both withdrew from the tournament. Bianchi continued competition and finished in 22nd place, weighing in 10 bass for 20 pounds, 15 ounces and earning $1,000.
Both Young and Campbell plan to return to the FLW Tour this season.
“It was an accident, plain and simple,” said Campbell, who was fishing in just his second career FLW Tour event. “I’ve been on the water and driving boats for more than 30 years, and I’d never had an accident like this. It’s very unfortunate that it occurred, but I’m extremely thankful that it wasn’t worse.
“This isn’t going to stop me from competing,” Campbell continued. “Becoming a pro bass angler has been a dream of mine since I was 15 years old. For this to happen, on the first day of my first full season, is very disappointing. I will not let this stop me.”
“I’m sore, but I’ll heal and I’m thankful that the accident wasn’t worse,” Young said. “The doctor said that I have a compression fracture in my L2 vertebra – no surgery, but I’ll be in a brace for a few weeks. I’m extremely upset that I’m going to have to miss the Harris Chain tournament and maybe even Lanier, but I’m recovering and you can bet that I will be back out competing on the Tour as soon as I am able.”
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Jarrett Edwards, Host of Jarrett Edwards Outdoors TV Looks to Raise Finances for First Responders Families
Page, Ari. – Jarrett Edwards, the host of Jarrett Edwards Outdoors, along with his wife Rebecca are once again helping where needed. Edwards will be towing his American flag and thin blue line wrapped truck and boat across the United States collecting signatures from active and retired first responders. Edwards and the truck and boat will be making appearances at sport and boat shows as well as police and fire departments.

At each stop active and retired first responders will be signing the boat with a special paint pen to honor all first responders and raise finances for the 100 Club. Edwards said, “It’s an honor to be able to raise finances for families of lost heroes in our communities while at the same time having the opportunity to meet and personally shake the hands of thousands of first responders and thank them for their service.”
The 100 Club is a 501(c) (3) dedicated to standing behind the men and women who stand behind the badge. Their focus is to offer immediate financial assistance and support to fallen first responder families.
Edwards created a similar program in 2010 which he raised $50K for the Lone Survivor Foundation that helps Veterans and their families. Today he is still an active advisory board member at LSF.
This fall Edwards and his wife will sell the boat and donate all of the finances to the 100 club. The boat is a Lund 1875 Renegade Bass powered by a Mercury 115hp four stroke engine, MotorGuide X5 trolling motor, with two Lowrance units, along with all the bells and whistles that help make Edwards one of the leading fishing personalities. The fully rigged boat has a retail value of $30,000.
Edwards continued, “The program wouldn’t be possible without Mercury Marine for donating the motor, Lund for a largely discounted boat, and Lowrance for their support. Together, along with the many outdoor shows we will be attending, we can really raise the awareness of the need to support the many sacrifices our men in women behind the badge endure on our behalf. We can’t wait to get on the road and start meeting many of these heroes first hand.”
Jarrett Edwards Outdoors is proudly partnered with the following brands that help make programs like this possible: Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Mustad, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, St. Croix rods, Best Western, Cooper Tire, Mountain States Ford dealers, Last Chance Performance Marine and Tackle Warehouse
For more information on Jarrett Edwards Outdoors television show please visit JarrettEdwardsOutdoors.tv.
For more information on the 100 Club please visit 100club.org.
Skeet Reese Mille Lacs 2018
Ride along with Elite Series Pro Skeet Reese on Mille Lacs Lake. We bet this video will get you pumped up and ready to get on the water.
GEICO Rewind from the “Big O”
Flw Tour pro James Niggemeyer checks in with the “GEICO Rewind” from Lake Okeechobee. James talks about how he caught them last week and the key bait he relied on. James finished in 29th place with 36lbs 12oz.
Use the insurance the pros use, get a quote here.
Follow James on his Facebook page.
Chicago Team Wins Bassmaster High School Central Open
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