Tuscumbia, AL Celebrity pro bass angler Tim Horton has joined forces with the Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau to promote tourism in the Shoals area. He will serve as an ambassador for Colbert County as he travels the bass tournament circuit during the next three years.

 Foremost among the promotions afforded by this relationship is the “wrap” of his official truck. This wrap was unveiled today at ColdWater Inn, Tuscumbia, when city, county and state government officials were on hand to take the first peek at the newly wrapped vehicle, a 2011 Jim Bishop Toyota Tundra. Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau is the wrap sponsor, with major attractions in Colbert County serving as cooperative sponsors. Featured prominently on the truck are: Spring Park, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Coon Dog Cemetery and the Birthplace of Helen Keller with the famous pump representing “The Miracle Worker” outdoor drama.

Horton, a Muscle Shoals resident, considers Pickwick and Wilson Lake to be his home lakes. An image of Wilson Dam with fully open spillways is shown on the truck visually promoting the world-class fishing available on these lakes and www.FishPickwickLake.com and www.FishWilsonLake.com are emblazoned on the truck to direct potential visitors to information on the lakes, lodging, restaurants and the attractions of the Muscle Shoals area.

“Pickwick and Wilson Lakes are two of the hottest lakes in the country,” explained Horton. “They both have an abundance of species, including my favorite, the smallmouth bass. For the last ten years the lakes have seen a major increase in both fish size and population due mainly to the vegetation (now) growing in the lakes.” Promotional materials will bewith Horton at all times, so that when he is fishing in major tournaments and traveling around the country, he will always be touting the lure of fishing in the Muscle Shoals area.

 “I travel all over the country and there is not a better place to stay and enjoy a fishing getaway than Colbert County, Alabama. With Highway 72 running along the southern boundaries of the lakes, it is easy to reach many of the boat ramps from excellent hotel accommodations and restaurants, without the competition of major city traffic. This is the kind of fishing experience I enjoy and I know my friends and fellow anglers will want to come to the Muscle Shoals area.”

As part of the mutual arrangement between Horton and Colbert Tourism, twelve webisodes will be produced and broadcast over television sports channels. These will also be placed on the Colbert County Tourism website. Network sports channels will broadcast six television shows during the coming year, featuring Tim Horton and Pickwick and Wilson Lakes.

 Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau announced today that Tim Horton will be bringing approximately ten bass tournaments to Colbert County during 2011. Drawing hundreds of anglers and their families from all over the country to Pickwick and Wilson Lakes, these tournaments will provide an economic boost for lodging, dining, shopping and area attractions.

 In expressing appreciation to Horton and to those who have made the new marketing initiative possible, Susann Hamlin, Executive Director of the Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau, said that this unique, new approach to touting all of the resources that Colbert County has to offer should prove to be beneficial to the local tourism industry. “We should be able to easily track the business brought in by this innovative marketing concept. Our tourism partners are really excited to be a part of this endeavor and we are pleased to offer it to them,” she said.

 Horton is affiliated with the Professional Anglers Association and is a member of the Bassmaster Elite Series. He was named B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year in 2000. Horton is a ten-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and a five-time Bassmaster Champion.

 For more information contact Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 800-344-0783 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.VisitShoalsAl.com.