With his Texas-rigged plastic lure deployed in this small portion of the Trinity River, Jack Jennings worked his bait while looking curiously into the water for any signs. And he waited, but not for long.
In an instant, a bite. In another instant, Jennings jerked his rod for the hook, and he reeled him in with the help of buddy Nick Austin.
That’s what it’s all about. Like hitting that 6-iron from 175 yards to within feet of the hole.
Jennings held his 3 1/2 -pound largemouth bass and, at the prodding of his two buddies, he gave it a big kiss. And another. And another before tossing his trophy back where he found it.
This is what young men do who romanticize about the outdoors, and for Jennings, Austin and Mitchell Travis, fishing their spots around town is no summer passing fancy. The relationship they have with the outdoors is a lifelong love affair.
“It makes me feel free,” said Travis about fishing his favorite holes.
And as the summer rolls along, there are plenty of reasons for these teenagers to fish in addition to love of the game. A big one is cost. Who needs consumerism — especially in a recession — when Mother Nature provides such good entertainment?… for free.
“That’s the biggest thing for me,” said Travis, whose parents no doubt agree and who like Jennings, also hunts deer, birds and pigs. “It’s something to do that’s cheap.”
Amen. And it reinforces environmentally conscience thinking, too.
More and more programs are being advanced to promote environmental stewardship while serving as instructionals that nurture and inspire agents of conservation. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers a variety of programs that teach both families and youngsters about every facet of eco-life. Many state parks offer fishing clinics for families, teaching everything from the basic to pencil poppers and wooly buggers. At the North Texas Education Center in Grand Prairie on Saturday, the TPWD is offering an Angler Education course for adults who want to teach the family basic fishing skills.
For the more advanced youth fishermen, the Parks and Wildlife Department also offers competitive events or “derbies” to show their skills.
Texas Tech University’s Outdoor School in Junction in the Hill Country has programs for teachers and students. Not to mention that the Llano River down there, by all accounts, is good fishing.
Texas Parks and Wildlife is also offering free fishing at all of its state parks. The department has waived fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside a state park. Park entrance fees still apply, but as long as you’re in the state park, you’re free to fish to your heart’s content. Of course, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations apply.
That’s news that make these three poster boys for environmental stewardship salivate.
“We once caught 25 sand bass in two hours,” Austin remembers about a trip he took. “That’s what’s best, you never know what you’re going to reel in.”
And there’s no intention of ever stopping. Why would you consider, not even if they make that dream catch.
When you’re in love, it’s for life.
“There’s always something bigger to catch,” said the visionary Austin, and Jennings interjected, “I’m never going to stop fishing.”
