Give Something Back

  Sometimes reality just comes up and smacks you in back of the head when you least expect it. Or maybe even you just lose sight on some of those things that are really important as an angler and just needed a reminder. Being a good steward to the sport can range from picking up some trash on the water to releasing a fish to fight another day. Maybe getting involved in local conservation groups or taking a young angler on his or her first fishing trip. Yesterday I had the priveledge and honor once again to take some young men and woman out fishing. This group was not from the local boys and girls club or were they just some people that got a chance to go fishing with some local anglers. They were wounded men and woman from our Armed Forces. Every year our local kayak angling club hosts a tournament, a chance for anglers to win some great pizes and fish for some of the best inshore species our water has to offer. All of the prizes and raffles they are eligible to win are donate by some outstanding companies and individuals .This is all done so we, as an angling community can Give Something Back. All the money made is to help two great causes, Project Healing Waters and Heroes on the Water. Two great organizations that help mentally, physically and emotionally heal our troops. Yesterday what really got me thinking was our on the water volunteers. People who have a chance to fish in a tournament and win some great prizes. They gave that up. They gave that up to support something they believe in! Also all of our participants who fished this event to help make a difference. I thought how many Saturdays come and go when we rush out the house to going fishing for the day? Maybe every once in a while we all need to rush out that same door to Give Something Back to this sport we love.

Sometimes its more than the Fish

   I will not lie, fishing for me is alot about the catch. Doesn't always have to be a wallhanger or citation fish. The fact of finding the targeted species and getting the fish to take my man made offering is very rewarding. This weekend I had several chance to do just that. Fish all three days of my Labor Day weekend. As I finished up my weekend on the water I looked back at the trips and one reoccuring thing came up, the people and time I spent with them.
   Saturday was the first in a long time that I fished with a good friend. Both of us live minutes from one another but can never get to the water together. Busy schedules, family and just life has always made it impossible. This weekend we were able to make an early morning trip together and though the fishing on this trip was not to good the time spent with a good friend was.
    Sunday was another trip with good friends. This time Cory Routh , Jay Kocan and a friend from NC Scott Inge went on the hunt together. Stories were told, jokes were made and even some fish were caught. Scott came away with the big catch, a 28" Red. With an upcoming tournament here in VA. I wonder where Scott will start his tournament day fishing?
  Today finished off a memorable weekend. Again another collection of friends spent the morning together fishing. Jay and Andy Cambell from Richmond got the early start on this trip. The rest of us soon followed. William my new spokes person for Marsh Works. LOL. He managed trout and even a striped bass to the boat." Killa Squilla!"  Today was also a day of first. Kris' oldest child,son Daniel, went for his first kayak trip. As did Tommy V's son Paul. Looking back now sometimes the fish are just an added bonus.