National Fishing Week
Dateline 06/01/98
The week of Saturday, May 30 through Sunday, June 7 has been designated National Fishing Week. A celebration of fishing and the tradition that goes along with it, this week includes many activities nationwide to give people, and especially children, a good experience fishing.
Many people grew up fishing like I did. Living in the country I could walk to many ponds and creeks to fish. My mother and grandmother both loved fishing and took me every chance they had to go - and did extra work on the farm to give me time to go fishing when I should have been doing my "chores."
Most young people do not have the chance to go fishing, either because they grew up in the city with little access to fishing holes or because so many fishing places are now posted and access limited. Fishing license sales have shown a slow steady decline over the past few years and projections show this trend continuing. In a couple of generations there will be very few fishermen left. This is a concern to government agencies that regulate and control fishing, to fishing organizations and groups, and to businesses and industries that depend on fishermen for their income. All these groups work to promote fishing in many ways. The goal of all is to get kids started fishing and hope it grows into a hobby that lasts a lifetime.
My home state of Georgia is a good example of what governmental agencies do. Each fishing resource of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Section has made plans with civic groups and individuals to sponsor Kids Fishing Events. Many of the lakes have been stocked and closed to fishing in advance of the event so the kids will be assured of catching something during the event.
In Georgia, over 80 events are scheduled, most during National Fishing Week. Almost all states also have events. Bass Pro Shops have teamed up with Zebco and Southwest Airlines and others to host All-American Fishing Derbies. These derbies include fishing, contests and fun for all. Check http://www.basspro.com/kidsaafd/ for more info and a US map showing derby sites.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service also has information about activities and includes sites that host seniors as well as kids fishing opportunities. Visit http://www.fws.gov/r4eao/fshnfw.htm for more information from this agency.
Help support National Fishing Week, the future of fishing and your personal gratification. Go fishing this week and take a kid or a senior with you. Help insure the future of our sport.
Any comments about National Fishing Week? Why do you like fishing? Tell me about it. Do you have some stories relating to fishing? If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post but can read the board as a guest. Also, if you have a story about fishing, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com. for a "Fishtale"or discuss it in the chat room on every night at 8:00 EST. Tell others what you like.
Check out Coming Next Week - Next week's column topic, contest prize and new additions to the resources lists.
