Over 500,000 rods and reels donated prior to now decade because the annual Gone Fishing occasion returns with free in-store fishing occasions and the Johnny Morris Bass Professional Retailers Children’ Braggin’ Board
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (June 2, 2026) – Johnny Morris, Bass Professional Retailers founder and famous conservationist, is encouraging households to get exterior and benefit from the joys of fishing this summer season, reminding them to “take a child fishin’, you’ll be glad you probably did!” To assist make these moments doable, Johnny and Bass Professional Retailers are donating greater than 55,000 rods and reels to youth-focused nonprofit organizations throughout america and Canada, serving to extra youngsters expertise the joy of their first catch.
With this donation, Bass Professional Retailers has supplied greater than half one million rods and reels to youth-focused nonprofit companions throughout North America via the Gone Fishing program, opening the door for lots of of 1000’s of children to find a lifelong love of fishing.
“Probably the most particular reminiscences in life come from spending time in nature with the folks you care about,” stated Johnny, who spent his summers as a teen fishing together with his household on the attractive waters of the Missouri Ozarks. “We need to assist as many youngsters as doable uncover the enjoyment of fishing, and we’re excited to encourage households to get exterior and take somebody they love fishing this summer season.”
Annual Rod and Reel Donation Occasion kicks off Gone FishingThe Gone Fishing celebration begins with the annual rod and reel donation occasion on Thursday, June 11, when Bass Professional Retailers and Cabela’s areas throughout america and Canada will host particular occasions with nonprofit companions. Native youth organizations will obtain rods and reels, whereas Outfitters and conservation companions will share how fishing licenses assist conservation in native communities and throughout the state.
The donated rods and reels are made doable via Bass Professional Retailers and Cabela’s annual Spring Basic Fishing Occasion, the place clients traded in gently used gear to be refurbished and given to the subsequent era of anglers.
Free household fishing occasions return nationwideGone Fishing continues with free, family-friendly in-store occasions designed to assist youngsters of all ages expertise the joy of fishing firsthand.
Particular weekend occasions will happen June 13-14 and June 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing households a free, simple and enjoyable approach to unplug and spend time collectively.
Actions at Bass Professional Retailers and Cabela’s areas embrace:
FREE Catch-and-Launch Fishing: Children can catch their first fish in stocked in-store ponds and obtain a FREE photograph obtain to rejoice the second.
FREE Fishing Actions and Giveaways: Together with hands-on studying alternatives and a free slip bobber craft for teenagers, whereas provides final.
Ideas from Professional Outfitters: Steerage for rookies and skilled anglers alike to assist youngsters of all ages create extra glad reminiscences on the water.
Celebrating the subsequent era of anglersAs households take pleasure in free fishing occasions, they’re invited to share their favourite fishing images for an opportunity to be featured on the Johnny Morris Bass Professional Retailers Children’ Braggin’ Board. The web photograph board gives a chance to share memorable moments, from first catches to summer season adventures on the water, and encourage different households to get exterior and create their very own. For extra particulars, go to basspro.com/bragginboard.
For extra details about Gone Fishing, go to basspro.com/gonefishing.
About Bass Professional ShopsBass Professional Retailers, North America’s premier out of doors and conservation firm, was based in 1972 when avid younger angler Johnny Morris began promoting sort out out of his father’s liquor retailer in Springfield, Missouri. That was the corporate’s sole location for the primary 13 years, and it has since grown to almost 200 retail areas all through North America. As we speak the corporate offers clients with unmatched choices spanning premier vacation spot retail, out of doors gear manufacturing, world-class resort locations and extra. In 2017 Bass Professional Retailers united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” expertise with superior merchandise, dynamic areas and excellent customer support. Bass Professional Retailers additionally operates White River Marine Group, providing an unsurpassed assortment of industry-leading boat manufacturers, and Large Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Underneath the visionary conservation management of Johnny Morris, Bass Professional Retailers is a nationwide chief in defending habitat and introducing households to the outside and has been named by Newsweek as “America’s Greatest Outside Retailer” for 4 consecutive years and “America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outside Gear.”
