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BRAINERD, Minn., Jan. 23 -- Outdoor technologies firm Nature Vision, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRVN) announced today purchase of Castaic Softbaits. Throughout the fishing tackle industry, Castaic remains the recognized inventor of the swimbait category, currently the hottest lures for big bass in North America. Recognized by Field & Stream magazine as one of the top 50 all-time fishing lures, Castaic Softbaits have twice graced the cover of this prestigious publication.
 

The addition of Castaic provides Nature Vision with a proven fishing
tackle product platform, which will immediately generate revenues during
the spring and summer periods, traditionally the firm's low season. "Since
our reverse merge in 2004, Nature Vision has been working to build a
balanced portfolio of hunting - fishing product lines," stated Jeff Zernov,
CEO of Nature Vision, Inc. "In these markets, three distinct periods define the selling calendar. Spring and summer are traditional seasons for fishing tackle. Fall is when hunting products sell, and winter is of course
dominant for ice fishing product sales. The Castaic acquisition now gives
us a fully balanced mix of products, completing our 3-tiered product
equation."
 

"In recent years we have looked at a number of tackle companies, but
none of them offered the growth potential of Castaic," Zernov said. "We
didn't want a low end line of commodity items, rather we sought a strong
brand with innovative products that we could build upon. Castaic is the
perfect fit. Not only is Castaic a nationally recognized brand -- even
though they have never advertised -- their proprietary manufacturing
methods and numerous patents offer us a unique place in the market."
 

Castaic Softbaits founder Jason Scott will remain active within the
organization, and has been hired as research and development director for Nature Vision's tackle division. The move combines into a single company the collective talents of Scott and Zernov, two of the fishing industry's sharpest innovators.
 

Nature Vision, Inc., a publicly held corporation headquartered in
Brainerd, Minnesota, created Aqua-Vu, the first self-contained underwater viewing system in 1997. Founded by president and CEO Jeff Zernov, Nature Vision, Inc. continues to reinvent the outdoor experience.