Page 26 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

Going after unfamiliar species WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM
such as trout can help an
angler’s passion last a lifetime.

Relearning It

I’ve covered how to introduce someone new to reigniting that passion, especially if a lot of time has
the sport, and how to keep an angler engaged. Now passed between his or her last fishing experience.
I’ll discuss a truly difficult aspect of continuing the Fortunately with this group, there is usually a basic
fishing heritage: reactivating an angler who has lost understanding of fishing principles, so getting the
the passion. fishing fire started can happen as suddenly as one
There are many reasons why people stop fishing. trip to the lake. Always be on the lookout for someone
Sometimes life just gets in the way. The biggest key to who might be interested in wetting a line again.
getting someone interested in fishing again is under- The second group are those who were unable to
standing why they quit in the first place. They can stay engaged. There are many reasons this can hap-
usually be categorized into three groups. pen. Try introducing them to a species they’ve never
The first group are those who never made it past fished for or a new type of fishing. You may have a
the introduction stage. They were either unsuccess- family member, friend or work colleague who fits this
ful and did not enjoy the experience so they chose description. It never hurts to ask them to tag along on
not to continue, or they no longer had access to the your next trip. Oklahoma allows for several different
sport. Like any activity, fishing cannot be forced on types of fishing and has liberal creel limits for those
someone; the joy must come from within. Something seeking table fare. Snagging for paddlefish or jug-
as simple as extending an invitation to someone who lining for blue catfish could have someone coming
has not fished in a while can go a long way toward down with the fishing bug before they know it.

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