Gone fishing? More Americans did in 2009
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The biggest dip in fishing in recent years had come among youth. The Outdoor Foundation's study found that 22.7 percent of kids aged 6 to 17 fished in 2008, down from 30.7 percent in 2006. The figures haven't been compiled yet for 2009.
There have been localized efforts to slow that downward trend.
The Illinois High School Athletic Association expects to have 231 schools field bass fishing teams this year, said IHSA assistant executive director Dave Gannaway. He said 2,496 students and 198 of the 700 IHSA schools participated in the first year the organization sponsored the sport, which was 2009.
A group in Alabama is trying to coax the Alabama High School Athletic Association to follow suit. The Alabama High School Bass Fishing Club Tournament Series held its first tournament this month. Organizer Tim Tidwell said 32 competitors from 10 schools from as far as suburban Montgomery - about three hours away - participated.
Frank Peterson, head of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, said that until the mid-1990s the number of people fishing typically grew in close proportion to the population. His group spearheads a campaign to promote fishing, including the Web site www.TakeMeFishing.org, which provides tips on the sport and links for getting licenses in different states.
Peterson cites factors such as technology offering more entertainment options, and noted that some families have less spare time because of households with single parents or both parents working.
"I think maybe more people are trying to simplify their lives and find ways for relaxing, stress relief, and family fun," he said. "I think fishing provides all of that."
Missouri's Bodine even started a Facebook page - "The economy tanked so I might as well go fishing" - after business slowed down. In his state, fishing licenses cost $12.
"If you've got fishing in your blood, you're going to do it," he said. "It is cheap and it's easy."
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