Beyond our own goals of chasing a personal best or the fleeting satisfaction of social media validation, lies a fundamental question I hope every angler takes a little time to reflect on now and then. What are you doing to make the future of angling a little better? Maybe it's one or two things, maybe it's a hundred. I certainly like to get out, experience new waters, catch big fish, and go on fishing adventures as much as anyone.While sharing these experiences with friends is enjoyable, as an educator, I want to open up the world of fishing to newcomers, and to pass along what knowledge I have with the next generation of anglers. I reckon that will long outlast anything I post up on social media or BS about when I hang out with my fishing buddies. As a volunteer fishing instructor for the state, and the faculty advisor for our schools fishing club, every little bit I can pass along just makes me feel better. I get as much or more enjoyment out of this these days as I do catching fish. For someone else, it may be contributing to the health and maintenance of our waterways. I've taught Scouts who took it upon themselves to place line and hook receptacles around many of our popular spots. It might not be the Ike Foundation (though if you have the means...). Think about the question. It doesn't have to be you sole motivation for wetting a line, but if we all give it a little consideration, the future of the sport will undoubtedly be better.
