Denver, Colo – Officials from Orion Multimedia, the world’s largest producer of outdoor adventure television, announced that their new fly fishing television series, Pirates of the Flats, will debut on ESPN2 January 2010 in partnership with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.
Pirates of the Flats follows legendary news anchor Tom Brokaw – who will also narrate the series — famous actor Michael Keaton, angling icon Lefty Kreh, acclaimed author Thomas McGuane, visionary industry leader Yvon Chouinard, and celebrated photographer R. Valentine Atkinson as they prepare to rendezvous with each other on the famed saltwater flats of the Bahamas. Their quest? The island’s legendary bonefish. But these notables are fishing for answers, too. How can we save these last great coastal environments? It’s a question that has been the heart of Bonefish and Tarpon Trust’s mission since 1998, and is being pursued by some of the world’s top scientists from the Cape Eleuthra Institute, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, and The Bahamas. The series will answer this question as it documents the cutting-edge research and conservation being performed to preserve these species.
By day we will join our intrepid anglers on the flats as they share their passion for fly fishing and by night we see them as they speak about the future and life with and without these fish. The weeklong journey will inextricably connect our anglers with each other and a cause to serve generations who have yet to know the magic found on the flats impressively revealed through a myriad of HD and Red specialty cameras. By joining our anglers on their remarkable Bahaman foray of discovery, viewers will come to learn why we must act now to save these sirens of the sea who are warning us of perils ahead. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, this series will change the way people see the outdoors.
About ESPN Outdoors: Since its inception in 1980, ESPN Outdoors has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters, campers and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of and participation in outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by television programming on ESPN2. Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages more than 30 marquee events, including the Bassmaster Classic. ESPN Outdoors is comprised of BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and a growing array of multimedia platforms, including Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com, and programming on ESPN2, in addition to promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.
About Bonefish Tarpon Trust: For the last decade, BTT has been pioneering groundbreaking research to help us understand the interdependence between flats fish species, anglers, and economies. BTT’s global vision of science-based conservation is leading the way to find long-term solutions to create sustainable fisheries management models that help anglers and political leaders come together to ensure strong fisheries into the future.
ESPN Media Contact: Doug Grassian, ESPN Communications, 407-566-2216
Orion Media Contact: Rhonda Bower, 720-891-4839
BTT Media Contact: Dr. Aaron Adams, 239-283-1622
