Future Fishers - pt. 1
Planting Seeds Now for a Great Crop Later
07/29/08
*Previously run in the Nov/Dec '08 issue of the Inside Line magazine.
There is always a need for new blood. Without it, endeavors cease to prosper and possibly exist. Having said this, fishing in general has taken steps to stabilize and hopefully grow this great sport. With programs such as “Casting Kids” and “Jr. Bassmasters” sponsored by ESPN/BASS, interest is being generated amongst the youth, not only in the USA but in foreign countries. With such programs leading the way, we see a bright future.
I have been active with the “Casting Kids” program for many years and my son, Tyler, was the local representative at the New Mexico state championship. Most recently, my focus has been directed towards the “Junior Bassmasters” and I have gotten more out of it than the kids who have fished with me.
This is by far the most well planned and thought out program of its kind. Not only do the young anglers get to fish with different local adult anglers, they also compete against other youths for the top prize, Angler of the Year, in their particular age group. This qualifies them to represent New Mexico at the Junior Bassmaster Classic held at a lake near the Classic site. They are then paired with BASS Elite tour anglers for a one day tournament to see who is the “Best of the Best”.
The pros say the same thing I do; they get more out of the experience than the kids do. They say it reminds them why they got into the sport in the first place, for the love of fishing. The cash don’t hurt either!
This past year my involvement with Jr. Bassmasters has taken on a larger profile and more of a mentoring role with two young anglers, Cole Bingham and E. J. King. I have gotten them involved in a local team circuit and the BASS Federation Nation. They are my team partners and non-boater traveling partners.
Recently, my Junior team partner Cole and I finished 4th out of 25 teams. These teams represent some of the best adult anglers in the region. At the first Federation Nation event of the year, Cole put the top sticks on notice by finishing 2nd overall and 1st place, non-boater. E.J. came in a very respectable 36th out of 65 anglers.
Cole couldn’t duplicate his earlier finish at the next event but still managed to place 39th on a very tough bite. This keeps him in the running at 16th overall for the State traveling team. E.J. did not compete because of some lame excuse about going fishing off the coast 
of Mexico while on family vacation. Just so you don’t think that these two anglers are having just a good year, consider this; E.J. has been Jr. State champion twice and participated in two national Junior Bassmaster Classics. Cole has been Junior State champ once and went to the big show. Now you have a better idea what us “Ol’ Geezers” are up against in the future!
What I’m trying to convey is that if we don’t take an active approach in promoting our favorite past time, we may see less opportunities and participation. This could limit access and growth of the natural resources due to decreased revenues to the states and corporate America who plow millions back in to keep what we have going.
Find a way to become more involved in the future of your past time. There are many ways to participate and you get to choose. It can be political, through a local club, or just taking a kid fishing.
If your local club does not participate in the Junior Bassmasters program, point them to the BASS website and get them to sponsor a local Junior club. In a recent Inside Line article, Dee Thomas said, “You just might get more out of it than they do.” He was referring to non-boaters in general but I would bet Dee would agree about the juniors just the same.
My goal in working with these kids is to not let my ego get trampled too much. Whatever happens, I win either way, since I am involved with some of the potential future stars of our sport.