National Fishing & Boating Week runs through Sunday. It's an annual celebration of fishing and boating with local community events held throughout the U.S. Keep an eye out for free fishing days, derbies, regattas, educational events, boating demonstrations and festivals in your area.
Millions are passionate about fishing in this country ... how do you explain its al-'lure'? (My lame attempt at topical humor).
Here's a great story from an avid angler and colleague, Larry, in our Miami office, who says fishing and boating have been a cornerstone of his Florida upbringing ever since he was a kid and shares his favorite memories with us:
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but obtainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. – John Buchan
My first memories of fishing include walking with my mom and dad to a small canal down the street from our house in Miami. I packed a loaf of bread, a five gallon bucket, a box of hooks and a small fishing rod that any inspiring 4 year old angler would be envious of.
I quickly learned to catch a variety of bream and bluegills on bread balls. My father taught me how to tie knots and set the hook on what I felt were huge catches. It wasn’t long before I was filling five gallon buckets with dozens of freshwater species. Some made it home to the frying pan and others made it into the family pool. Releasing fish into the pool seemed like a great idea but this enthusiasm was not shared by my father.
As the years passed the canal was replaced with fishing trips to the bay and ocean with my father and his friends. Catching bait and targeting larger saltwater fish was now part of the curriculum. Learning to run a boat and prepare for a day of fishing was passed on at a young age. The love of fishing never waned and I took every opportunity to fish with anyone who liked to bend a rod.
Now several years later, the boats have grown larger and the fishing gear is much different than 30 years ago, but the principles are still the same. The passion for fishing can be instilled at a young age and once you are hooked it provides a foundation for a lifetime of quality recreation and special memories.
Why do you love fishing? Share your story ... we would love to hear it!
Have a great weekend on the water!