April 3rd at Waterwheel Marina
Register by March 23 at the Wal-Mart in Bedford

Boater Entry Fee: $150 Co-Angler Fee: $75

                Around here fishing isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way of life. Of course, many of the skeptics haven’t realized just how much money can be in fishing if you’re good. During the year, several rewarding tournaments come our way. One of the most popular is BFL’s Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League. Over the years, they have become known as one of the nation’s leading providers of affordable, close-to-home weekend tournaments. The BFL is also widely credited with opening competitive bass fishing to the masses, so whether you are an avid angler or just getting started in competitive fishing, this is the tournament for you. It even serves as a steppingstone for anglers who wish to advance to the EverStart Series and ultimately the Wal-Mart FLW Tour — bass fishing’s most lucrative tournament series.

                The BFL comprises 24 divisions nationwide, each featuring five regular-season events that lead to one of six regional tournaments. Four of the regular-season tournaments are one-day events, while the final event, a Super Tournament, is a two-day tournament that will award as much as $70,950 to participating anglers.

                Last year’s winner at the Smith Mountain Lake event (part of the Shenandoah Division) walked away with $6,371 after catching seven bass weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces. The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Shenandoah Division advance to the regional competition where they go up against the top competitors from the Buckeye, Michigan and Northeast divisions for a shot at the BFL All-American, one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling. So grab your rod and get out there to reel in the bucks. For more information, visit www.flwoutdoors.com.