FROM RIVERLINK
RiverLink, ClearChannel Asheville and the Asheville Outdoor Center will host the 2011 Fins & Gills Classic at the Asheville Outdoor Center this Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.

Free rods and reels will be handed out for the kids, and not just plastic toys, either. They'll be getting fishing gear from Shakespeare they can use well into adulthood.

There will also be fishing from the French Broad River and a portable trout pond stocked with trout -- brook trout. "Brookies," as they are known, are native to the mountains of WNC.

Seasoned fishermen will teach a variety of lessons aimed at young anglers. There will be door prizes, spot prizes, and for those taking part in the fishing tournament, prizes in categories like "biggest fish" and "most species caught."

More seasoned anglers can register for the fishing tournament up until 8 a.m. Saturday morning. At 08:30, an Asheville Outdoor Center shuttle will take anglers and their watercraft to Bent Creek for a float-and-fish back to the AOC. Final weigh-in will be at 2 p.m., followed by the prize-giving. Prizes include goods -- kayaks, flyrods, gift certificates -- from a host of outdoor sports providers

Contact RiverLink's Dave Russell at 252-8474, ext. 11 or dave@riverlink.org for more information.

Activities
7 a.m. - 8 a.m. -- Registration for the fishing tournament,
8:30 a.m. -- Bent Creek fishing shuttle departs
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Catch and release fishing pond, fishing in the river, playground, casting lessons, bicycle rentals, raft and canoe trips, gem-mining and more!

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

For more information about how you can get involved, see our Web site: http://www.riverlink.org, or contact us at information@riverlink.org or by phone at 252-8474.