FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kirk Gillis, RBFF, 703-519-0013, ext. 109, kgillis@rbff.org
Gary Dollahon, Brothers & Co., 1-866-743-8822, gdollahon@broco.com
Anglers
rallied as guardians of sport
The gift of fishing is something special that those who don't
fish might never get, or even know what they have missed, unless those who
fish decide to share it.
Of today's 50 million anglers in the United States, 99 percent say they fish
because someone once took the time to introduce them to the sport. But the
changing American lifestyle seems to be changing the face of who that someone
is, and is also being blamed for much of the angler fallout that has occurred
over recent decades.
That is why the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a
non-profit organization charged by congressional action to address declining
participation, is rallying the country's most avid anglers, the sport's
strongest guardians, to become part of a new program called Anglers' Legacy
and take someone fishing.
"Anglers' Legacy is about bringing like-minded anglers together as a
national community of the sport's greatest ambassadors to help ensure fishing
stays America's favorite pastime," said Bruce Matthews, RBFF president.
"There are no meetings or costs to join. Anglers' Legacy is simply a
group of anglers and organizations united in a common commitment to passing
on the gift of fishing." Although just recently introduced, Anglers'
Legacy is already snowballing throughout fishing circles everywhere and the
Who's Who of fishing are lining up in support, including well-known TV
anglers like Bill Dance and George Poveromo, all wanting to help lead the
effort.
Recent research indicates there is the need for such a leadership role in the
changing America. Among the 67 percent of respondents who said
"dad" took them on their first fishing trip, 87.8 percent were 35
years of age or older, compared to only 12.2% for those under 35. If dad has
a diminishing role in introducing new anglers today, and others don't step
in, how will fishing be passed to future generations? And how will those who
miss out even know what they've missed?
Today in the United States, kids spend an average of 44 hours a week
experiencing life through a glass – watching TV, playing video games and on the computer.
Forty-four hours a week equates to a full-time job and leaves little time for
anything else. So how will today's younger generations garner an appreciation
of the natural world and its resources if they don't have the opportunity to
experience them first-hand?
RBFF officials are confident, based on the avid angler research, that
Anglers' Legacy is an outstanding place to start. Targeting the country's
estimated 7.5 million most avid anglers, the program urges its participants
to introduce at least one new person to fishing per year. It is not about
asking strangers to go, but people they know. And the effort focuses more on
adults than kids, knowing that adults can involve their own families and
friends after being armed with the appropriate fishing knowledge and
confidence through quality introductory experiences.
Anglers are asked to take "The Pledge" at AnglersLegacy.org, the primary communication vehicle for
the ambassador community. The Pledge is a simple promise to take at least one
person each year on a first-time fishing outing. Names and addresses of those
who sign up will not be distributed, sold or otherwise shared by RBFF.
Participants do have the option of subscribing to receive special offers and
discounts from the program's partners, and can also unsubscribe at any time.
Pledging is important to the program because it provides a process where
anglers, clubs, organizations and communities can find each other for
mutually beneficial relationships regarding fishing-program expertise,
education and new-angler outreach. The Anglers' Legacy Web site is also a
great resource for anglers looking for tips and information on how to
introduce others to fishing.
"It is amazing to realize the lifetime impact one can have by
teaching someone to fish," said Matthews. "My dad was that someone
who took me, and its been a gift that's never stopped giving. Being an
Anglers' Legacy ambassador isn't a task but a pleasure. It's sharing skills,
knowledge and equipment with someone that you believe will really appreciate
what fishing is all about. And there is no substitute for a test drive. Who
we take can be any acquaintance – friend, neighbor, coworker – we all know somebody who would like to go," he
said.
Fishing provides lots of wonderful memories and that is the theme
behind the Anglers' Legacy public service announcements now running in more
than 35 of the country's top boating and fishing magazines. They show
snapshots and carry the headline, "Picture a life without fishing,"
and encourage the readers to join the Anglers' Legacy community by taking the
Pledge.
Bill Dance said he couldn't picture a life without fishing. "I was very
blessed to have a daddy and granddaddy who loved to boat and fish," said
the host of the long-running "Bill Dance Outdoors" TV fishing show.
"They took me along on their outings many, many times... teaching and
sharing. They were doctors, and fishing was their escape. To me, it was more
than that. Fishing was my life, and became my career. I've passed my love for
fishing on to my kids, my grandkids, and countless numbers of acquaintances.
And I'm not through yet. Believe me, I'm one of Anglers' Legacy's biggest
advocates," he said.
George Poveromo, a noted saltwater angling authority and host of "George
Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing" on ESPN2, has a similar story.
"I was lucky to have a dad and grandfather who took me fishing," he
said. "I'll always remember those times, and I like to think it made me
a better person. It seems once someone gives fishing a try, they can't shake
the fever – and that's a good
thing! It's important to me that sport fishing remains in the hands of those
who respect and protect our fish stocks and the marine environment – and that's the
anglers themselves. I'm all for sharing the sport with those who I think get
the whole picture of what fishing is all about," Poveromo added.
While Anglers' Legacy is about giving the gift of fishing, the giver also
receives something special. "I can feel that special moment when
it all begins to connect for the person I'm taking." said Matthews.
"When that first perfect cast is made, or a first fish landed, the big
grin and the look in the eyes say it all. I'm a better person because I fish.
Other anglers know what I'm talking about. Fishing is an experience to be
shared ... let's share it," he added.
Learn more about Anglers' Legacy, Take Me Fishing and RBFF at RBFF.org.
About the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
(RBFF)
RBFF
(www.RBFF.org) is a
nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in
recreational angling and boating, thereby increasing public awareness and
appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring America's
aquatic natural resources. Recreational boating and fishing are America's favorite
sporting activities, with more than 50 million people participating every
year — that's more than
play golf and tennis combined.
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