Date: 08/26/09
Contact: Aaron Meier
Phone: (775) 688-1998

BASEBALL PROMOTION A HOMERUN FOR ACES, NDOW

Reno Aces catcher Luke Carlin is used to catching at Aces Ballpark in downtown Reno, only it’s usually 90 mph fastballs and not rainbow trout.

“I barely got any sleep last night,” said Carlin, “I couldn't wait to get out here.” With that, he waded into the Truckee River to try his luck at fly fishing for the first time.

Carlin and Round Rock Express infielder Matt Kata joined eight winners of the “Fish or No Fish” contest, which ran for 12 weeks during Aces home games, for a special fly fishing excursion in the Truckee River just outside the stadium August 15. The contest garnered over 1,300 entries.

"When we filled out the entry form, I never imagined we would win and be here fishing in the Truckee right outside the stadium; not in 100 years,” said Aces season ticket holder John Masquelier.

The winners and players were joined by several members of the Reno Aces staff, and instructors and volunteers from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). In total, there were over 20 contest winners, staff and volunteers taking part in the excursion.

NDOW personnel went from angler to angler to help guarantee success. It worked, as everyone reported catching several fish and losing several others. “Everyone caught at least three fish by the time we finished,” said Chris Vasey, NDOW Western Region outdoor education coordinator. “I guarantee you every one of those people was hooked on fishing by the time they left the river. It was just a great day on the Truckee.”

The promotion, which was held by more than 30 states’ Triple-A Baseball teams this summer, is an effort by NDOW’s partner, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) to help increase participation in boating and fishing nationwide.

“Our baseball players and all of our local fans have a natural love for boating and fishing, so this is the perfect partnership,” said Reno Aces general manager Rick Parr. “Who doesn’t want to come watch great baseball, play some fun games, and possibly win a fishing excursion?”

Masquelier came into the day with a solid respect for fishing in northern Nevada. “I always say when you fish you have to be smarter than the fish, but the fish around here must be pretty smart because I haven't had much luck before today.”

His good friend and fellow season ticket holder Candice Jones had no such philosophy. "When I heard about the promotion, I just thought it would be a really fun thing to do."

Reno native Christopher Dutra used the day as a way to introduce fly fishing to his 12-year-old son Justin.

NDOW staff actually went to the Aces Ballpark before a home game August 14 to hold a special fly casting class to the winners and Aces staff the day before taking everyone to the river.

“Chris Vasey and his crew from the Department of Wildlife did an outstanding job and made this particular event extremely easy to navigate. His entire volunteer group was the “MVP” of the entire two days. It was an education to me and to all involved just because they made it so easy and fun. As a result, I believe we converted a few participants to being “hooked on fly fishing” for the rest of their lives. Plus, having everything evolve around the ballpark made it a very unique experience indeed,” said Parr.

Two participants who were definitely hooked were players Carlin and Kata. “They have been back out there every day since we went on Saturday,” said Parr. “In fact after the game on Sunday they went again just for an hour or so to spend more time on the Truckee, it was obvious they are really hooked, so to speak.”

The RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

Participants of the "Fish or No Fish" promotion get one last fly casting lesson on the grass in front of Aces Ballpark before heading down the street to the Truckee River.	NDOW Western Region Outdoor Education Coordinator Chris Vasey explains the finer points of fly fishing before setting the participants loose on some unsuspecting fish.
Aces catcher Luke Carlin (left) practices his roll cast with a little help from NDOW volunteer Alex Mross.	Round Rock Express infielder Matt Cata targets an unsuspecting trout.
Reno Aces General Manager Rick Parr tries his hand at fly fishing a few hundred yards from his office at Aces Ballpark.	Participants, volunteers and Aces staff fish the Truckee River with Aces Ballpark in the background.
"Fish or No Fish" winner John Masquelier never thought he would be catching fish in the shadow of Aces Ballpark.	NDOW volunteer Tim Huckabee (right) holds up the rainbow trout that 12-year-old Justin Dutra just caught.