Chicago Area Angler to Make World Record Attempt for Most Fish Caught in a 24 Hour Period

(Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois) – Johnny Wilkins, founder of the Chicago Fishing School will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most fish caught by an angler in a 24 hour period. The world record attempt will take place July 5th, 2013, at 7:00 a.m. central through July 6th ending at 7:00 a.m. at Lake View Nature Center, Oak Brook Terrace, IL. Wilkins, a resident of La Grange, IL, will fish from shore in the public park for 24 hours consecutively, trying to catch as many fish as possible in a single day with a single pole. “ I want to go for this record to show people there is great fishing within the sight of the Chicago Skyline and to better appreciate their local environment,” Wilkins said. “Fishing shouldn't be something that is done far away, it should be something people do because it is inexpensive and close to home - not just on vacation.” “My fishing tackle will be very similar to that used by our first president George Washington in the colonies over 250 years ago.” Wilkins states that “most people get hung up on electronics, the boat and piles of lures and they never learn the skills or equipment to catch many fish locally.” In order to break the current record of 2,649 fish caught, Wilkins will need to average nearly two fish per minute (1.83 f.p.h.).

The world record attempt is taking place to raise awareness for the quality of urban outdoors so close to Chicago and to raise money for two charities. 100% of the proceeds from the world record attempt will benefit two charities; Ronald McDonald House and Wounded Warrior Project. A web page is available to take donations at http://www.razoo.com/team/Chicago-Fishing-School. The current

record for most fish caught in 24 of 2,649 fish caught was set in August of 2011 on Lake Minnetonka, MN.

Volunteers are needed for shifts to count fish and judge the record attempt. The easy duty will be done from a comfortable chair checking boxes on a clip board as the action takes place. If you would like to volunteer time in a one to three-hour shift on the 5th, contact Johnny at 630-235-2162.