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Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us [MM]

TPWD Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

TPWD News Release — Oct. 18, 2004

First Saltwater Elite Angler Award Winner Named

HOUSTON –Deer Park resident Kenneth Thyssen has been awarded the first Saltwater Elite Angler Award for catching a King Mackerel, Southern Flounder, Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout and Sheepshead.

A component of TPWD’s Angler Recognition Awards program, the new Elite Angler Awards honor anglers who catch five different freshwater or saltwater big fish awards.

The program began May 1 and is open to anyone. There is no time limit to gather the required five different fish species to qualify. Anglers who achieve this ranking will be announced at the end of the year and will receive a special certificate commemorating their accomplishment.

Thyssen used a rod and reel to catch each of the five fish.

For more information about the Elite Angler Awards program, contact Joedy Gray, TPWD Angler Recognition Awards Coordinator, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or (512) 389-8037 or by e-mail at joedy.gray@tpwd.state.tx.us. Information about the program is also available online (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/).

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