Why is Fishing a Dying Sport

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--
The Security Consultant
http://www.diycomponents.com
Bob La Londe - Owner
849 S Ave C
Yuma, Az 85364

(928)782-9765 ofc
(928)782-7873 fax

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
s.com...

http://www.yumabassman.com/cgi-bin/y... 47;start=0#0

http://tinyurl.com/ywupp

Unfortunately, fishing as it stands right now is a dying sport. Unless more
people take the bull by the horns and do something about it, that trend is
going to continue.

Part of the problem (as I see it) is that the majority of the people
participating in fishing are males in the 35 to 55 year old age bracket (my
generation). As a whole, we are dying off, or getting too involved in our
jobs, or wrapped up in something other than fishing. So, as a segment of
the fishing population, we are losing numbers every year.

The next largest age group is the one that is comprised of our parents, the
55 and older generation, the ones that loved to fish and taught us to do the
same. We're losing people from this generation on an increasingly faster
rate. Their health is failing, so they can't get out, their income is fixed
and if it becomes a choice of going on a fishing trip or buying the next
week's supply of medication, guess which gets dropped? And, this generation
is just plain dying, reducing our ranks.

The following generation, that of our children, have to be the ones to fill
the dwindling levels. And I don't see that happening without direct
intervention. The 16 to 35 year old age bracket, as a whole is part of what
I call the "ME Generation". These are the ones that want everything NOW,
without a learning curve. They want instant gratification and don't see
fishing as exciting as we do. This generation is more into partying,
computer games, video and spending money on glitz and glamour. They're
about the bottom line and what's in it for me? They want it all and they
don't want to work for it. Spend time in a boat??? Casting a lure
repeatedly??? Maybe catching a two pound fish once in a while??? I don't
think so! I can fire up Trophy Bass ver. XXIIC and catch 15 pound bass from
the comfort of my desk chair.

This is the generation that, more than ever, grew up as children of divorced
parents. Most of them didn't have a father figure that would take them out
fishing on the weekends. A good percentage of this generation doesn't know
how to fish, period!

These are the same people that I see in my boat, brought there by their
father or mother, and are slightly sullen about the whole thing. They don't
know the first thing about the sport, and it's quite fun for me to watch
their eyes open, and their attitude change as the day progresses. What they
originally did to "humor the old man", now becomes something real,
interesting and challenging, it becomes fun!

We need to get this group, and the ones coming up behind them out on the
water. We need to get them to know how much fun fishing really is. We need
to get them off their ever widening behinds and out in the fresh air and
open their minds, eyes and hearts to the outdoors. We can't do this by
hoarding our knowledge, our favorite fishing spots and being secretive.
Invite the neighbor kid along, a nephew, a niece, your wife, your kids.
Take them along and make the day fun, let them know that fishing can be an
enjoyable sport, let them see that there's more to it than sitting quietly
in a boat staring at a bobber.

Tournament fishing is great, it exposes a large group of people to fishing.
But, WE need to get more women and young people exposed to and involved in
the outdoor world. Unless WE take the responsibility to teach the next
generation that there is more to the world than a computer/tv screen,
numbers are going to continue to go down.

That's my take on it anyway.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

But, WE need to get more women and young people exposed to and involved in
the outdoor world. Unless WE take the responsibility to teach the next
generation that there is more to the world than a computer/tv screen,
numbers are going to continue to go down.

And here I sit in front of my computer screen conversing with gentlemen
around the country instead of out doing service calls and making money to
support my hobby. LOL.



That's my take on it anyway.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
s.com...
But, WE need to get more women and young people exposed to and involved
in
the outdoor world. Unless WE take the responsibility to teach the next
generation that there is more to the world than a computer/tv screen,
numbers are going to continue to go down.

And here I sit in front of my computer screen conversing with gentlemen
around the country instead of out doing service calls and making money to
support my hobby. LOL.

LOL, I agree, it is ironic, isn't it? And here I am, working feverishly on
getting a television show and website going, with the intention of getting
more women and young people involved. It's kind of a Catch-22, I want
people to watch the show, and participate on the website, but I want them to
get away from the television and computer and get outdoors.

Oh well, what's a person to do? Oh yeah, go fishing and take someone with
you!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
s.com...
But, WE need to get more women and young people exposed to and
involved
in
the outdoor world. Unless WE take the responsibility to teach the
next
generation that there is more to the world than a computer/tv screen,
numbers are going to continue to go down.

And here I sit in front of my computer screen conversing with gentlemen
around the country instead of out doing service calls and making money
to
support my hobby. LOL.

LOL, I agree, it is ironic, isn't it? And here I am, working feverishly
on
getting a television show and website going, with the intention of getting
more women and young people involved. It's kind of a Catch-22, I want
people to watch the show, and participate on the website, but I want them
to
get away from the television and computer and get outdoors.

Oh well, what's a person to do? Oh yeah, go fishing and take someone with
you!

But you're reaching out to them using the very thing that draws their
attention these days. Targeted advertising... Not a bad idea, if you ask
me...
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

Steve - You nailed it!

"...take someone with you!"

We need to introduce more people to this sport. I have caught 12lb
bass on my computer, but it does not even begin to compare to the
adrenaline rush of that first Bass of the year.

I made it a point to introduce my son (now 6) to fishing at an early
age. We had new neighbors move in next door with 3 kids. While
talking to the mom, I noticed the fishing poles in the garage. I
asked about it, and they said that they had not been fishing in "many
many years." When the weather finally cooperates, I guess I will be
taking 4 kids fishing instead of 1 - it may not be for bass, but it
will be for whatever happens to be is biting. To a 6yr old, a dozen
4" bluegills are more fun right now than the 3lb smallmouth that daddy
is trying to catch.

When asked at work if I have any plans for the weekend, I always
answer "Fishing, want to come along?" One of these times, the answer
will be "OK" - and then if I do my part, another angler will be added
to the ranks.

Kurt

On Mon, 5 Apr 2004 17:12:14 -0500, "Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
wrote:


"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
ws.com...
But, WE need to get more women and young people exposed to and involved
in
the outdoor world. Unless WE take the responsibility to teach the next
generation that there is more to the world than a computer/tv screen,
numbers are going to continue to go down.

And here I sit in front of my computer screen conversing with gentlemen
around the country instead of out doing service calls and making money to
support my hobby. LOL.

LOL, I agree, it is ironic, isn't it? And here I am, working feverishly on
getting a television show and website going, with the intention of getting
more women and young people involved. It's kind of a Catch-22, I want
people to watch the show, and participate on the website, but I want them to
get away from the television and computer and get outdoors.

Oh well, what's a person to do? Oh yeah, go fishing and take someone with
you!

Many fishermen fish out of boats that eat fuel like it's going out of style. Have you noticed way more boats for sale like I have.

People can't afford to pay their bills now days.

Fishing is a recreation and usually not a necessity. If a guy doesn't have any extra money he sure ain't going to spend money on a gas eating boat motor.

The fact that license sales are down could also mean fishermen don't have the money to buy a license. Instead maybe they are taking to the water without a license. many states can't afford to keep a huge bunch of conservation officers on the payroll. Fishermen know this. It's possible a higher percentage are fishing without a license then have been in the past.

Lack of funds make people think differently.

As is often he case, I agree 100% with Steve. And furthermore
(warning--slightly off topic) everything he said is relevant to hunting,
shooting, and camping (NOT RVing)

The way i see it is fishing is not all that easy. There is a bit of a learning
curve in order to get true enjoyment out of the sport. Some just aren't willing
to put in the time.
Women are very vocal these days and some tend to put fishing down as trivial.
These are the same women that tend to rule the roost at home. As a result some
men don't partake or their homelife may suffer.

Moron!

--
"The Shadow"
Millennium Rods
"Lure builder" wrote in message
...
The way i see it is fishing is not all that easy. There is a bit of a
learning
curve in order to get true enjoyment out of the sport. Some just aren't
willing
to put in the time.
Women are very vocal these days and some tend to put fishing down as
trivial.
These are the same women that tend to rule the roost at home. As a result
some
men don't partake or their homelife may suffer.