-The Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) shirts and license plates are now available for purchase at the Big Rock office.

We have already received entries for the tournament as well as many "non-fishing" entries. The non-fishing entry, dreamed up by Sarah Strange, is proving to be one of the better ideas to come out of the Big Rock think tank in a while. There are a mulititude of people that would like to participate in this tournament in some way but have not been able to do so because of distance. This is an excellent way to be a part of giving back to this community.

-We ran a local commercial recently about Tiger Runner winning the Release level in 2008. I wonder how many people realize they can win this kind of money just by entering Level I? Information like this get's lost in the hoopla of someone winning $700,000 or more, but what a payout..... for $2500 you can win $92,000! Now that's a deal!

-The marsh outside my window is starting to turn green, so I know Spring is getting close. It is amazing how much the marsh actually changes during the year.

We have recieved our first entries from Triple A and Figment. The media is always surprised when I tell them we have 5 or 6 entries but we always get the bulk of our participant entries on the weekend before fishing. It makes planning somewhat difficult but we manage to do pretty well!

-T-shirts were delivered last week to area retailers and everyone was really excited to have their shirts for Easter weekend. Retailer feedback has been very positive.

There is a light blue that is only sold at the Big Rock office along with a dark pink in a ladies cut shirt. We always have something special here!

We had the press conference yesterday to announce the naming of the ladies tournament to The Keli Wagner Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament.

Since that press conference and email blast, we have been inundated with calls and emails with those who want t-shirts and would like to either fish or donate funds! Later, I posted the information on Facebook and we had 21 comments on the design of the shirt, etc. Everyone is so happy we are honoring Keli in this way! BTW- check out our page on Facebook, The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

The items for the seabag, the shirt with Cole's marlin, etc. all look great and I love the fact that the items are all special to Keli. I feel like Keli would be proud of this but would be most content that because of her, money is being raised for the comfort and care of others.

The chosen charity for this tournament, the RAAB Cancer Clinic, offers services to so many people that they are now looking to build a new office in the near future. The donations raised from the KWLA tournament will continue to support this wonderful center.

CHARTERS ARE AVAILABLE!

Several Big Rock Landing charters are still available for the week of BIG ROCK!!! I just saw that Dancin' Outlaw is not booked...he posted information on the website at http://www.thebigrock.com, under "Message Board". Dancin' Outlaw won The Big Rock in 1999 and placed third in the 2005 tournament. All of the charters are local captains that KNOW how to fish and will take you on an expericence you will never forget! Sensation, Diamond Girl, Offshore III are waiting for your calls!

We are getting calls about dockage, hotels, etc., every day so I know we are going to have a great tournament!

STREAMING VIDEO!

Big Rock will once again offer the "armchair angler" streaming video broadcasting, live each day from the Big Rock weigh station. The streaming camera will come on at anytime during the day if a blue marlin is weighed and be on contiuously from 4-7 pm during each fishing day.

Liquid Video Productions will be hosting this exciting feature once again with crowd shots, interviews of anglers, fish weights etc. so anyone can feel part of the crowd.

-Charters- There are several charters still available for the tournament. Sensation, Diamond Girl, Bill Collector for sure. See the contact information on this site under "Charters".

It doesn't look like this right now but soon the view from the office will be full of boats waiting to weigh-in their fish!

Calls are pouring in with anglers asking questions about fishing in this year's event and we are standing by to answer them!

-Sponsorship is looking pretty good too! We just got word that Wachovia will be back with us this year as a Platinum Level sponsor. Wachovia has supported the tournament for years but also offers their generous support to many other local non-profits. This commitment to charity is just one of the reasons the Wachovia institution is a solid bank you can depend on in this community.

The Big Rock has worked long and hard for many years to create a tournament no one will want to miss being a part of ...that includes sponsors and participants! While other tournaments suffered losses last year, we did not. We certainly expect that to be the case this year as well.

More sponsors sign up for the 51st Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament!

Two new Platinum sponsors signed up this week to support Big Rock's charitable giving. Overton's/Consumer Marine will come in as a new sponsor for 2009 and MTU will return at their Platinum level. Big Rock is proud of their support! Thank you , thank you!

-The program deadline will be March 15th so if anyone would like to sponsor the tournament this year, please contact the office at 252-247-3575.