West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series grand prize boat awarded to Issaquah angler

For immediate release           

West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series grand prize boat awarded to Issaquah angler

SEATTLE – Nov. 10, 2016 – Matt Griffin was trimming his kiwi plant during a coveted moment of sunshine last Sunday, Nov. 6, when he got a call that would change his life.

That call was from Tony Floor, Director of Fishing Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). Floor had good news: Griffin’s name had been randomly drawn from 4,500 anglers following the conclusion of the 2016 West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series to win the grand prize, a fully-equipped 22-foot Hewescraft aluminum boat with trailer valued at over $85,000. Griffin’s name was entered into the drawing after fishing in the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby in February.

Griffin, who doesn’t own a boat, stuttered, dropped to one knee, and smiled at his wife standing next to him. She was elated.

Griffin, who co-founded Combat Flip Flops in Kabul, Afghanistan and now lives in Issaquah, Wash., could hardly believe it. His fishing team, “Game Changer”, fished a number of derbies without a podium finish. This finish ends the streak - winning weight: 3,200 pounds.

“It’s the perfect Northwest adventure boat,” said Griffin.

The boat is the 13th grand prize boat, motor, and trailer package that has been given away since the Series was created in 2004. This year’s Hewescraft 220 OceanPro boat is powered by a 225-horsepower Mercury Verado and a 9.9-horsepower Mercury trolling motor, on an EZ Loader tandem axle trailer. The boat came fully-equipped with top-of-the-line extras including Lowrance electronics, Scotty Downriggers, and a Dual Electronics stereo.

“I can’t wait to see Matt out on the water in this boat,” said Floor, who coordinates the Series. “There is nothing I like more than giving away top-of-the-line fishing packages like this.”

The West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series is a fishing promotion program directed by the NMTA that encourages boating and fishing in the Northwest. In 2016, the Series included 14 derbies throughout the region. For each derby an angler competes in, they get one entry into the drawing for the grand prize boat held at the final derby in the Series.

“The West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series continues to be one of our best promotions for getting people out on the water,” said NMTA President George Harris. “Even in a year with limited fishing opportunities, the excitement and passion for boating and fishing continues to grow.”

Griffin plans to fish the boat throughout the Northwest. When not in fishing tournaments, he plans to use it to explore and fish Lake Chelan, chase salmon throughout the Puget Sound, and possibly commute to Vancouver Island for a black bear hunt.

“This boat can do anything,” he said.

For more information on the West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series, visit www.NorthwestSalmonDerbySeries.com.

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About the Northwest Marine Trade Association

The NMTA is the nation’s largest regional marine association. It represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry, including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA’s mission is to promote the growth of recreational boating and member businesses. The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest boat show. Additional information is available at www.nmta.net

Contact

Tony Floor

NMTA Director of Fishing Affairs

(360) 870-1752

tony@nmta.net