Take a kid fishing/Thank you

I love to talk fishing but more specifically, I like to share the knowledge that I’ve learned over the years in hopes that it will help someone else. While I think it’s important to help others in order to help the sport grow, there’s nothing more important than introducing new people to the sport of fishing, especially kids. I can’t think of a better way to spend time with a child than taking them fishing. Time away from video games and all the negative influences children can face on a daily basis can be better spent enjoying the outdoors and all it has to offer. The simple act of teaching someone how to fish can really make a big positive impact on a child’s life. While I haven’t been blessed with any kids of my own, I’m very thankful that I have nieces and nephews that I can introduce to this sport. One of the greatest moments that I’ve ever had was taking my nephew Brodi fishing for the first time and helping him catch his first fish, it’s a memory that I’ll forever cherish. Even if you don’t have children of your own you probably have family and friends that do. Offer to teach them and their children so it’s something they can do together as a family.
Growing up, my dad was never into fishing but he did introduce me to hunting which is something I’m grateful for. I was very fortunate to have an older cousin Scott that was huge into fishing. He always had boats, was in bass clubs, and competed in tournaments. He took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew about fishing. He got me involved in bass clubs, tournament fishing, and took me along on trips to some great bodies of water. I can’t say enough how thankful I am for the time we’ve spent on the water. I wasn’t his kid, he didn’t have any obligation to do that but he did it anyway. Because of his selfless commitment to invest his time in helping me learn the sport of fishing, it’s become a passion of mine to pay it forward and try to help others in the same way. I like to joke with him now telling him he taught me everything he knows about fishing but not everything I know. Thank you Scott, I’ll forever be grateful for that.

I look forward to my nieces and nephews getting a little older so I can introduce them to fishing from a kayak. It adds more adventure to fishing and I know it’s something they are really going to love doing. Luckily, Jackson has just the right kayak for kids, the Skipper, and will make their time on the water even more enjoyable. Take a kid fishing and lets pass this great sport down to the next generation so they too can pay it forward.

– Bill Durboraw