Kids and the Outdoors - Another Endangered Species?!
by Jeff Morton

According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the number of people aged 18 to 24 who participate in fishing has declined over the last decade. Only nine percent of the country's 34 million anglers are between 18 and 24, down from 13 percent a decade ago. Experts say the proliferation of video games, a lack of exposure to nature, and a misperception of the sport have all contributed to the decline. Apparently in our “instant gratification” society, the thought of sitting on the shore or in a boat all day long isn’t nearly as “stimulating” as shooting someone on the latest video game.

But are we sending the right message about fishing? A few years ago my wife and I participated in a nationally-sanctioned kids casting contest at a fishing show in downtown Chicago. Participants had to cast, pitch and flip a casting plug onto a plastic bulls-eye placed on a bare concrete floor. Even the tournament-proven instructors couldn’t make the plug stick on the fly. The only way the kids could keep the plug on the mat was to land it ahead of the target and hope it bounced on the target, and then the event coordinators would disqualify anyone who skipped the plugs onto the mats. The result: kids, many from the inner-city, went away frustrated (some even to the point of tears) because they couldn’t “fish.”

Fortunately, I have been involved in more successful kid-related events. When I lived in Florida, a local bass fishing club also participated in an annual kids fishing derby held in conjunction with a local fishing show. At this event, the kids were able to fish in pre-stocked retention ponds around the grounds of the arena. A major national sporting goods retailer provided participants under the age of 13 with a certificate for a free Zebco 202 reel/rod combo upon completion of their turn. This was an extremely positive experience for both the kids and the anglers who assisted them.

While it isn’t always possible to have stocked ponds at boat shows, surely events can be planned at other venues to offer a great time for a group of shore-bound junior anglers. Each year my wife’s company holds a massive company picnic on their grounds – which also has two retention ponds (you should see the size of the bass that come out of them!). For the last two years, I have gladly been involved in helping to coordinate the event and garnering participation and discounted rod/reel combo purchase vouchers from a local sporting goods retailer (Ed Shirley Sports in Palatine, IL). Although it’s a busy, somewhat tiring day – it is also quite rewarding to see the smiling faces on the kids (as well as the relieved faces on the parents who aren’t sure how to fish) when they catch the “big one!”

The bottom line is that, as anglers, we should give back to our sport... furthering it by involving today’s youth. Whether it’s taking them on our boats or sitting with them on the bank – we need to show them what we enjoy about fishing – and hopefully they will enjoy it too. Then maybe, just maybe they’ll pick up a rod and reel and head to a nearby lake or river, rather than grabbing a semi-automatic weapon and hitting the streets....

Jeff Morton

Any fishing or vehicle questions? Drop me a line… jeffmorton@gofishmidwest.com. 
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