Presented by FLW—the world's leading professional fishing tournament organization—will hold the inaugural Marcellus Shale Coalition 3 Rivers Challenge in Pittsburgh debuts September 27–29.

Fourteen top bass and walleye anglers on the FLW circuit will get a western Pennsylvania welcome and take to the water in two separate fishing events including a celebrity pro-am and a charity fishing competition that benefits aquatic and environmental education programs for children here.

The entire Challenge will be filmed by NBC Sports Network and documented in a post tournament highlights show that will air nationally on the Network October 28 and regionally on ROOT Sports and locally on WPXI-Channel 11 in schedules soon to be announced.

You can drop your lines too! A free family fishing program takes place the morning of the tourney Sept. 29. All are welcome to register and the first 300 kids [15 and under] who do receive a free rod and reel.

Proceeds Benefit Fishing

Specifically, the event will help fund the Fish and Boat Commission’s “KARE” initiative (Keystone Aquatic Resources Education) for students in K-12.

It will also enhance the Commission’s “Fishing Fundamentals – Family Fishing Program,” targeted to kids aged 8-12, and designed to engage families in the activity of fishing by teaching them basic skills in the sport.

Also helped in the effort is the Commission’s Boating Safety and Education outreach program for K-12 students. The program is designed to teach students proper boating techniques on Pennsylvania waters.

Additionally, the event will benefit RiverQuest, the floating classroom ship based in Pittsburgh as well as its award-winning “School Fields Study” program, which serves both students and teachers.

This five-hour program offers a wealth of instruction about environmental science and is geared primarily to students in grades 4-12. Aboard the green ship “Explorer,” students are engaged in adventure-based learning and discovery.

This three-day challenge is also being coordinated in partnership with the Fish and Boat Commission.

So take the bait and come on down—to fish, frolic or just be a face in the crowd...and discover what it's like to fish, pro-style!

For more information, visit the FLW website or the Marcellus Shale Coalition 3 Rivers Challenge webpage.

9/24/2012