July 14, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

ESPN films fly fishing show on Minipi Lake Labrador

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that Barrett Productions, under contract to American cable giant ESPN, just completed filming an episode of Fly Fishing the World in Labrador this past weekend. The television cast and crew and special guest, Bobby Knight, coach of the Indiana University Basketball Team and former coach of the Men's U.S. Olympic Basketball Team, were led by a local outfitter on a three day fishing trip on Minipi Lake.

"I am thrilled we were able to secure this unique opportunity to promote Newfoundland and Labrador around the world. This show taps an enormous market and will give people a chance to see both what we have to offer in this industry and the natural beauty and magnificence of Labrador," said Furey. "Every year we see our tourism numbers grow as more and more people are considering Newfoundland and Labrador a world-class vacation destination. Media opportunities like this can only have a positive impact on tourism and related industries as we take advantage of world-wide exposure."

Coach Bobby Knight was delighted with his first trip to the province, saying, "There is excellent fishing in Labrador. It was so good I will be back next year." The crew were also very impressed noting that the fish at Minipi were by far the biggest brook trout they have ever seen or filmed for their shows.

Fly Fishing the World is a weekly half-hour fly fishing program which airs during ESPN's Saturday morning Outdoor block. ESPN, the largest cable network in the United States, is seen in more than 79 million households in more than 30,000 hotel rooms and by more than 15 million satellite dish owners. From the remote arctic regions of Russia and Iceland to the southern regions of Argentina and New Zealand, this program has visited some of the most beautiful locations on earth. This episode of Fly Fishing the World is scheduled to air in the first quarter of 2000.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0857.

1999 07 14         11:15 a.m.