Anglers Legacy: Fishermen rallied as guardians of sport
The gift of fishing is something special that those who don’t
fish might never get, or even know what they have missed, unless
those who fish decide to share it.
If today’s 50 million anglers in the United States, 99
percent say they fish because someone once took the time to
introduce them to the sport. But the changing American lifestyle
seems to be changing the face of who that someone is, and is
also being blamed for much of the angler fallout that has
occurred over recent decades.
That is why the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF),
a non-profit organization charged by congressional action to
address declining participation, is rallying the country’s most
avid anglers, the sport’s strongest guardians, to become part of
a new program called Anglers’ Legacy and take someone fishing.
“Anglers’ Legacy is about bringing like-minded anglers
together as a national community of the sport’s greatest
ambassadors to help ensure fishing stays America’s favorite
pastime,” said Bruce Matthews, RBFF president. “There are no
meetings or costs to join. Anglers’ Legacy is simply a group of
anglers and organizations united in a common commitment to
passing on the gift of fishing.” Although just recently
introduced, Anglers’ Legacy is already snowballing throughout
fishing circles everywhere and the Who’s Who of fishing are
lining up in support, including well-known TV anglers like Bill
Dance and George Poveromo, all wanting to help lead the effort.
Recent research indicates there is the need for such a
leadership role in the changing America. Among the 67 percent of
respondents who said “dad” took them on their first fishing
trip, 87.8 percent were 35 years of age or older, compared to
only 12.2% for those under 35. If dad has a diminishing role in
introducing new anglers today, and others don’t step in, how
will fishing be passed to future generations? And how will those
who miss out even know what they’ve missed?
Today in the United States, kids spend an average of 44 hours
a week experiencing life through a glass – watching TV, playing
video games and on the computer. Forty-four hours a week equates
to a full-time job and leaves little time for anything else. So
how will today’s younger generations garner an appreciation of
the natural world and its resources if they don’t have the
opportunity to experience them first-hand?
RBFF officials are confident, based on the avid angler
research, that Anglers’ Legacy is an outstanding place to start.
Targeting the country’s estimated 7.5 million most avid anglers,
the program urges its participants to introduce at least one new
person to fishing per year. It is not about asking strangers to
go, but people they know. And the effort focuses more on adults
than kids, knowing that adults can involve their own families
and friends after being armed with the appropriate fishing
knowledge and confidence through quality introductory
experiences.
Anglers are asked to take “The Pledge” at
www.AnglersLegacy.org,
the primary communication vehicle for the ambassador community.
The pledge is a simple promise to take at least one person each
year on a first-time fishing outing. Names and addresses of
those who sign up will not be distributed, sold or otherwise
shared by the RBFF. Participants do have the option of
subscribing to receive special offers and discounts from the
program’s partners, and can also unsubscribe at any time.
Pledging is important to the program because it provides a
process where anglers, clubs, organizations and communities can
find each other for mutually beneficial relationships regarding
fishing-program expertise, education and new-angler outreach.
The Anglers’ Legacy Web site is also a great resource for
anglers looking for tips and information on how to introduce
others to fishing.
“It is amazing to realize the lifetime impact one can have by
teaching someone to fish,” said Matthews. “My dad was that
someone who took me, and its been a gift that’s never stopped
giving. Being an Anglers’ Legacy ambassador isn’t a task but a
pleasure. It’s sharing skills, knowledge and equipment with
someone that you believe will really appreciate what fishing is
all about. And there is no substitute for a test drive. Who we
take can be any acquaintance – friend, neighbor, coworker – we
all know somebody who would like to go,” he said.
Fishing provides lots of wonderful memories and that is the
theme behind the Anglers’ Legacy public service announcements
now running in more than 35 of the country’s top boating and
fishing magazines. They show snapshots and carry the headline,
“Picture a life without fishing,” and encourage the readers to
join the Anglers’ Legacy community by taking the pledge.
Bill Dance said he couldn’t picture a life without fishing.
“I was very blessed to have a daddy and granddaddy who loved to
boat and fish,” said the host of the long-running “Bill Dance
Outdoors” TV fishing show. “They took me along on their outings
many, many times… teaching and sharing. They were doctors and
fishing was their escape. To me, it was more than that. Fishing
was my life, and became my career. I’ve passed my love for
fishing on to my kids, my grandkids, and countless numbers of
acquaintances. And I’m not through yet. Believe me, I’m one of
Anglers’ Legacy’s biggest advocates,” he said.
George Poveromo, a noted saltwater angling authority and host
of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” on ESPN2, has
a similar story. “I was lucky to have a dad and grandfather who
took me fishing,” he said. “I’ll always remember those times,
and I like to think it made me a better person. It seems once
someone gives fishing a try, they can’t shake the fever – and
that’s a good thing! It’s important to me that sport fishing
remains in the hands of those who respect and protect our fish
stocks and the marine environment – and that’s the anglers
themselves. I’m all for sharing the sport with those who I think
get the whole picture of what fishing is all about,” Poveromo
added.
While Anglers’ Legacy is about giving the gift of fishing,
the giver also receives something special. “I can feel that
special moment when it all begins to connect for the person I’m
taking.” said Matthews. “When that first perfect cast is made,
or a first fish landed, the big grin and the look in the eyes
say it all. I’m a better person because I fish. Other anglers
know what I’m talking about. Fishing is an experience to be
shared … let’s share it,” he added.
Learn more about Anglers’ Legacy, Take Me Fishing and the
RBFF at www.RBFF.org.
