Like most elementary school age kids, I looked forward to the last day of school with great
anticipation. I knew that the following morning I would be on my way to Corsicana to spend the
next month or so with my grandparents, Dorothy and Avery Jackson. Nearly everyday of that
month, I would be fishing with my grandfather and brothers on a local stock tank or small lake.
I could hardly wait to get to town to see if I got a new cane pole.

    Most outdoor enthusiast are familiar with the saying, "get a kid hooked on fishing, not on
drugs". As a society we spend a great deal of time and money teaching young people about the
dangers of drugs and the importance of staying away from them. But, how much energy do we
expend actually giving them something to do with their time. Someone once said, "an idle mind
is the devil's workshop".

    One answer might be, take a kid fishing. A person wrote, "give a man a fish and you feed him
for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". I would like to take that one step
further: give a kid a fish and you feed his character for a day, teach a kid to fish and you feed his
character for a lifetime. Teach a youngster to love the outdoors and chances are you won't have
to worry about him/her getting into serious trouble.

    As the oldest of three boys, growing up during my teenage years in a single parent
household, I am convinced that I was able to stay out of serious trouble, in part, due to my
love of the outdoors. I spent a great deal of my time fishing or hunting. I always had something
to occupy my idle time.

    Fishing is the number one leisure sport in America. For the cost of a baseball glove, a good
leather football or basketball, you can outfit a young person to fish. I started with a cane pole
and 30 years later have about 25 rod and reels and boxes full of tackle.

    A bucket of minnows or a carton of worms wouldn't cost you more than a couple of packs of
cigarettes or a six pack of beer. What you would get in return from the look on a kid's face when
he/she catches a fish, is priceless.

    How much are you doing to help our young people stay off of drugs or out of serious trouble.
I would challenge everyone reading this article to take at least one youngster fishing this spring
or summer. Whether its your own child or a kid you know that may be making some bad
decisions, reach out and make a difference in that kids life. Teach him/her to fish and how to
enjoy the great outdoors.

    Bob Sealy's McDonalds Big Bass Tournament, is being held on May 16 & 17 at
Richland-Chambers Reservoir at the Clearview Marina located on Highway 287. Kids 12 and
under can compete in their own division for exciting prizes at the cost of a $5 entry fee each
day. They can fish from the shoreline. Fishing from a boat is not required. What a great
opportunity to make a difference in a young persons future.

Until next time, enjoy the Texas outdoors.