Page 20 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

From the first time I felt a tug on the end of a line, I was hooked.

I was 4 years old on a family camping trip. My dad, ting who the bouncing bobber belonged to. Every fish
uncle and grandpa were headed out on the lake for a was documented with Grandma’s old Polaroid cam-
day of boat fishing, but not before setting us kids up era, and we’d wait anxiously at the boat ramp for the
at the lakeshore campsite with worms and bobbers, adults to return so we could show off our triumphs.
and Mom supervising. We couldn’t wait for the day Memories like these are what set us on our paths
that we would be old enough, and patient enough, to as anglers. But more than the memory, it was the in-
venture out on the boat. But a warm summer morn- troduction to the sport that now resonates so strong-
ing and an ample supply of sunfish would do for now. ly with me. Recently becoming a father myself, I look
We laughed and tangled lines more times than we forward to passing along this fishing heritage to my
could count. A bobber would bounce on the water’s daughter someday.
surface, and we’d all attempt to set the hook, forget- Unlike traditional hobbies and sports available to
children and adults alike, hunting and
WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM ship. There aren’t teams, coaches and
fishing take introduction and mentor-

sign-up sheets to recruit the next gener-
ation of outdoorsmen and women. It’s
up to those of us who enjoy these out-
door pursuits to pass these skills along,
and fishing is a perfect place to start.
In Oklahoma, residents under age
16 are exempt from a fishing license,
and the equipment to get them start-
ed is relatively inexpensive. A basic
rod, reel, line and tackle setup to get
someone started can cost as little
as $25. And with more than 10,000
miles of shoreline within Oklahoma,
you’re never far from a place to fish.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation’s Close to Home fish-
ing program offers plentiful fishing
opportunities in Oklahoma’s largest
metro areas and is a great resource
for those new to the sport.
However, there’s more to creating a
new angler than simply taking them
fishing for the first time.
This year’s Angler’s Guide will share
some best practices to introduce
someone new to fishing, the challenges
of staying engaged in the sport, and
reactivating someone’s interest in it,
as well as tips and tricks to make your
Engaging anglers at a young age can have a lasting impact on their future as
fishermen. The experience is rewarding for angler and mentor alike. next fishing trip a success.

18 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA

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