I am a new "LIFE" member, I live in Washington State near Olympia, Wa. And I want to share something I LOVE doing, and that's turning kid's ( 10-18 ) from drugs and drinking, and bringing there focus in on fishing!!! It's tough at first, but you only need one kid, show them there is something to do other than drugs, and when they catch there first fish, THEY ARE ADDICTED. How awesome is that? I (and friends) have helped 6 kids STOP the use of drugs and got them hooked on fishing. I loan a pole at first, as they transition away from the bad, I replace it with the good, i.e. a new pole/reel combo, tackle box, boots, then at last, perhaps a good fishing vest. Whatever it takes, I'll do. These "Kids" come from bad homes, hurt, lost, they simple want someone to love them without strings!!!! I'm a father of 2 boy's (14 & 19) the oldest is now a firefighter, following in my foot steps I also started firefighting in 86, stopped due to illness in 2008. I know what it takes, and we use the family along with their family doctor, we simply provide a great day away from everything tough, and lend them an ear when they need to talk.... As we continue to fish and catch. We provide all the equipment and time, sometimes it's very hard making ends meet, however, I will NEVER stop!!! Too much at stake. Start up a program in your area, you WILL NOT BE LET DOWN, and you'll feel awesome!!!!!!! 
Let me know what you all think about this, all input is welcomed !!!
More soon!!!!

Thanks for the story. if we allsupport this type of mentoring we could really change alot of young folks plus add the needed new recruits to fishing that we lose very year. admmittededly I have not done anything as extensive but we have a good take a kid fishing program that I will be vlounteeering for' also they are in need of equipment so I would like to try my hand a refurbishing rods and reels rescued from yard sales and posted on the internet want ads. I think another factor is to give fishing a more visible COOL FACTOR. some kids are beginning to look at Bass pros in this light and think (wow what a cool life) What about the all star Flyfishing image or Catfish Hero or even supertar fisheries biologist( Hal Scramm)

Brian

I am a member on 6 fishing websites. One of these is outdoorfishing.com. They have a forum heading "free tackle" that is solely for giving away fishing gear. Why don't you sign up there and post about what you are doing on that forum? I'll bet you"ll get equipment donated that you can use for your mission.
Great job and keep up the good work.

Brian:  Your right about fishing Pro's. The kids/young men & ladies, all look at what our local Pro's do when they are out fishing. The biggest thing they see our "Pro's" doing is fishing with their families, and having a awesome time with one another. Some make it through the troubles of the "Drug", ( about 67% ) all due to their family and the program's support. We put ourself out there, listen, laugh and allow them EACH to dream!!!! Pro's are there, in the lime-lite making it look fun and supporting their own. As far as equipment, I shop garage sales, free sections of our local news paper, and, Hold on now, a number of the one time "Kids" we help, actually will come back and present us with whatever they can, because they have a job and want to give back just a little of what they got. WHAT A FEELING !!!!!!!!!. '
More to come soon

Well, I spent time there and talked only about how what we do is fun, awesome and a reward fat greater than anything we could EVER find. We got a letter asking us to not "post" because they felt we were trying to recieve "Free" equipment for us to sell. "OUCH" HUH. I hold NO problems for what we read, so many people out there are all for the almighty "BUCK", or "QUICK FIX" that everyone should protect themselves. Funny, for most of my kids, a "QUICK FIX" was the begining of their end, of start of their problems. In due time, I guess we will "fix" the opinion of some of the people on the internet too.
Awesome to hear from you, bass or bass!!!!!

More to come soon!!!! I can't wait.

Well, I spent time there and talked only about how what we do is fun, awesome and a reward FAR greater than anything we could EVER find. We got a letter asking us to not "post" because they felt we were trying to recieve "Free" equipment for us to sell. "OUCH" HUH. I hold NO problems for what we read, so many people out there are all for the almighty "BUCK", or "QUICK FIX" that everyone should protect themselves. Funny, for most of my kids, a "QUICK FIX" was the begining of their end, of start of their problems. In due time, I guess we will "fix" the opinion of some of the people on the internet too.
Awesome to hear from you, bass or bass!!!!!

More to come soon!!!! I can't wait.

Brian:
I also want to tell you to give everything you can to those in your comunity, as a volunteer, you have true power to give the kids. Your opinion comes from a man, Not their father/mother, who knows how important it is to provide for his family, and be a productive member in the town/city in which you live. Always to just "LISTEN", then advise. Sometimes (as I learned) they only want someone to listen, and say "I HEAR YOU".
Please let me know how it goes in your neck of the woods. Remember to just laugh a bit.

More to come soon!!!

Morning. We took 2 young men to the Cowlitz River outside Salkum, Wa. Within 45 minutes "jeff" hooked into what turned out to be a 29lb King. A GREAT fish for a young man of 17. His first fish, EVER. Then our other "DieHard" fisher, he hooked a hatchery Steelhead. AT about 9.5lbs that too was awesome. As we were taking photos, Jeff, in his excitement, loss track of one thing VERY important in River Fishing.... "Foot Placement". WOW, what a noise!!!! After he regained what "Man-hood" he had remaining after he got back his breath, we celebrated with a hot shower for him, and started to cook Salmon at 0715 this morning for his family. How wonderful, I have never ate BBQ Salmon at such an early time, however to see the excitement and pride on the face of a young man that only 6 months ago, he looked forward to someday overdosing in order to end his life, because "nobody want's me". Thank GOD for fishing, Family and strong doctors who believe in the power of Love, Time and the value of life, no matter how bad things may seem. HOW AWESOME IS THIS??????

More to come soon.

Morning. We took 2 young men to the Cowlitz River outside Salkum, Wa. Within 45 minutes "jeff" hooked into what turned out to be a 29lb King. A GREAT fish for a young man of 17. His first fish, EVER. Then our other "DieHard" fisher, he hooked a hatchery Steelhead. AT about 9.5lbs that too was awesome. As we were taking photos, Jeff, in his excitement, loss track of one thing VERY important in River Fishing.... "Foot Placement". WOW, what a noise!!!! After he regained what "Man-hood" he had remaining after he got back his breath, we celebrated with a hot shower for him, and started to cook Salmon at 0715 this morning for his family. How wonderful, I have never ate BBQ Salmon at such an early time, however to see the excitement and pride on the face of a young man that only 6 months ago, he looked forward to someday overdosing in order to end his life, because "nobody want's me". Thank GOD for fishing, Family and strong doctors who believe in the power of Love, Time and the value of life, no matter how bad things may seem. HOW AWESOME IS THIS??????

More to come soon.

Hi Firefighter. Thanks for the encouragement. I just found out that there is a youth fishing program here in the town I live in that needs volunteers to introduce kids to fishing. They require a training class that starts in the spring. also there is an outdoors show at a local convention center this weekend that may have some info also.

Thanks you for the update regarding your salmon trip. sounds like a bunch of fun.

Brian

Brian. I am inspired by your interest in youth fishing. There is no greater form of "civic duty" than an investment of time and love given to the youth, or as I call them, MY FUTURE. The youth in America are the "Future"," survival", and "preservation" of fishing and hunting in this nation. The investment made by EACH of us "Adults" to the next generation, will in every way change the way this nation thinks, works and lives as long as the information we share with them is positive and from the heart. We as men have a duty not only to our family to guide and build a foundation for which these kids can "add a brick" ( as we say, meaning; build their life their way with good material's ) towards building a positive life for themselves, and their family.
Let me know what information you find out in your area about "introducing kids to fishing". Maybe I can use a bit of information from there to make ours better.

Have a AWESOME day, Brian.

More to come soon!!!!

Hey Firefighter. Sorry I did not get back with you sooner. The Show was a letdown, it was pretty much a retail event with no DWR presence at all. anyway I got ahold of our local program and they will be having volunteer training in april. I will keep you updated.

Brian

Brian:

Awesome to hear your desire to lead the youth in your area!!! One piece of advise, you may find that some of the activities you end up volunteering for may be looking for people to "take over" the program in its entire. Don't feel bad if you have to walk away a bit, in order to keep your sanity. Keeping civic programs alive is one of the hardest things to do these day's. Sending a man to the moon again is easier. If you find "little" help in some areas, dont worry. Make it your own!!!! Use the kids in the program to find out what works and rebuild that program off of what the kids want. That way your sure to be successful. Great luck to you!!!! I cant wait to hear more in the spring!!! Take care!!
Remember to take someone new into the world and go fishing.

More to come soon!!!
Kevin