DENVER, Colo.- WFN: World Fishing Network, the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America, introduces its latest original production, Guided with Mark Melnyk, Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Lifelong angler Mark Melnyk, host of WFN exclusive Reel Fishy Jobs, takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes adventure where he is trained by some of the top fishing guides in the industry. Join Mark as Guided takes an insider's look at what it takes to make it as a professional fishing guide, immersing himself in this eclectic, competitive and often dangerous world.

"We all know about fishing guides, but do you know what it takes to really be one? I'm on a mission to see if I have what it takes to join the ranks of the hardest working professionals in the fishing world," said Mark Melnyk. "From backwater beasts to shimmering steelhead, I travel from the backwoods of British Columbia to the bayous of Louisiana and the warm waters of The Caribbean in search of the fish that make these pros work so hard for their dollar."

Season One of Guided spans 11 episodes as Mark experiences a full-range of guiding instruction and adventure, along with the occasional mishap. Added Melnyk: "It all adds up to experience; as I learn, I want the viewer to do the same and really get a feel for the work and effort a guide puts in every time he or she is on the water. This show has it all - the job, the lifestyle, the guests and the fish - showcasing everything to get you Guided."

Season One episodes of Guided with Mark Melnyk include:

• Episode 1 (airs May 2): Mark gets his first taste of guiding in remote British Columbia with Gill McKean.

• Episode 2 (airs May 9): Mark joins The New Fly Fisher host Bill Spicer and guiding legend Bob Shannon as they guide injured veterans as part of the Project Healing Waters program in Pulaski, N.Y.

• Episode 3 (airs May 16): Keith Fraser indoctrinates Mark into the cadre of guides working on Chesapeake Bay at the Fall Classic Rockfish Tournament.

• Episode 4 (airs May 23): Jason Franklin from H2O Bonefishing is Mark's mentor as he learns to guide for bonefish off Grand Bahama Island.

• Episode 5 (airs May 30): Mark travels to Blackfly Lodge, The Bahamas, angling for multiple species with native Bahamian and accomplished fishing guide, Clint Kemp.

• Episode 6 (airs June 6): It's triple the pressure for Mark to succeed as Abaco Lodge, The Bahamas is the setting for the pursuit of bonefish with three guides.

• Episode 7 (airs June13): Mark is on location in Tobago, inshore guiding with captain Gerard 'Frothy' de Silva.

• Episode 8 (airs June 20): Captain Gerard 'Frothy' de Silva continues Mark's tutelage offshore in the rough seas off the coast of Tobago.

• Episode 9 (airs June 27): It's a complete change of direction as frozen waters await Mark when he travels to Northwest Ontario to learn the craft of guiding ice fishing trips with Gord Pyzer.

• Episode 10 (airs July 4): Mark ventures to the 'Sportsman's Paradise' of Louisiana for an inshore adventure with the father/son guiding team of long-time (40 years!) captain and former New Orleans Saint, Stu Scheer, and his son, Cuda.

• Episode 11 (airs July 11): Mark continues to learn some tips and tricks of inshore guiding on the bayous of Louisiana.

During the airing of the Guided premiere episode on May 2, viewers are invited to join host Mark Melnyk for a live Facebook chat from 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. ET at Facebook.com/WFN. Mark will answer viewer questions and share the full range of experiences he enjoyed while filming Guided.

Guided with Mark Melnyk is presented by AllTackle.com (alltackle.com), RailRiders - The Toughest Clothes on the Planet® ( railriders.com), Houma Tourism (houmatourism.com), Vicious Fishing (vicious-fishing.com) and Sundog Eyewear. Each episode will present one lucky viewer with the chance to win performance sunglasses, compliments of Sundog Eyewear (sundogeyewear.com), as part of the Guided Giveaway, presented by Sundog . A new keyword will appear weekly during an episode of Guided; viewers can enter this keyword at WorldFishingNetwork.com/GG starting May 2 at 10:30 a.m. ET for their chance to participate in the weekly drawing to randomly select a winner for the Sundog Eyewear sunglasses.

New episodes of Guided with Mark Melnyk air Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET through July 11 with encore showings the following Saturday. Visit WorldFishingNetwork.com/Guided for dates and times, detailed episode descriptions and exclusive video content.


-WFN-

About WFN

WFN: World Fishing Network is North America's only television network, online and mobile platform dedicated exclusively to fishing and outdoor enthusiasts with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN's programming lineup includes a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any TV channel. Featuring popular programs hosted by some of the top anglers from North America and across the globe, WFN offers a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows that appeal to a broad and diverse audience. Anchored by one of the top fishing websites, WorldFishingNetwork.com, WFN's multimedia platforms also include mobile portals for iPhone, iPad and Android, enabling anglers to take WFN wherever they go. WFN and WFN HD are available to more than 50 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

About Mark Melnyk

Mark Melnyk has been in the television industry for just over 18 years - 12 as a producer, director and writer for many national television networks. For the past six years, he has found his calling as a multimedia outdoor adventure host and storyteller whose love for fish - not just fishing - is unmatched. He grew up on the water with a fishing rod in his hand, and his passion for fishing is palpable and infectious. Mark is currently a producer and host for WFN: World Fishing Network with three original productions to his credit: Reel Road Trip , a show which introduces viewers to the industry, the places and the people who are involved in all things fishing; Reel Fishy Jobs, a show that takes viewers behind the scenes within the various fishing occupations; and his latest project, Guided with Mark Melnyk, which premieres in May 2013. For more on Mark, visit MarkMelnyk.com.