P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FARMER TURNED FISHING GUIDE HOSTS FISHING TOURNAMENT AT FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONVENTION

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 27, 2005) What happens when a farmer, who also happens to be a dedicated fisherman, must sell his land to the state? He turns to his love of boats and bait full time, and launches a business hosting fishing trips. That's Bill Long's story. And Long had a chance to revisit his former life yesterday by hosting a whole fleet of his ex-cronies as they set out early in the morning on a quest for the 'big ones.'

His company, Bill Long's Fishing Guide (www.CentralFloridaFishing.com) hosted a group of enthusiastic anglers attending Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's (FFVA) 62nd Annual Convention, September 25 - 27, at the Omni Resort at ChampionsGate, near Orlando. The group set out on the Butler chain of lakes in Central Florida, a group of about 15 picturesque lakes that boast a healthy fish population. They returned later with photos that proved it was a successful venture.

Back in the 1990s, the state of Florida organized a buy-out of the agricultural "muck" land bordering Lake Apopka as part of a massive lake restoration effort. Bill had been a major player at his family's farm, which was located on the land, but now he had to make new plans. He didn't have to think twice about his next move. "It took a little while to make a name for ourselves, but I always loved to fish, so I decided to go for it," he says.

Before the state buyout, the Long operation grew supersweet corn, carrots, radishes, cabbage, potatoes, and pickles. As a teenager, Bill worked in the fields as a tractor driver, cultavator, planter, and harvester, then worked his way through the packaging end of the operation on mule trains, cornlines, and carrot house lines. His last position was in sales.

Bill's been fishing the lakes as well as the nearby Kissimmee chain for more than 30 years. He uses both artificial baits and wild shiners to catch big large-mouth bass. He also specializes in fishing for black crappie (speckled perch).

He's registered as a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain and has been featured on numerous TV shows and in the Sportsmen's Gazette. Bill has also played host to some big names in sports and entertainment who want to get away for a day on the water.
He says experience is not necessary to land a big fish. "The main thing is to have fun," he says. "I really looked forward to hosting the FFVA group. I knew they'd have a good time."

For more information about Bill Long's Fishing Service, go to http://www.centralfloridafishing.com/ or call (407) 290-1593.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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