Pro anglers visit Shreveport students to promote fishing, education

Team Fujifilm carries on tradition of reaching next generation of anglers

SHREVEPORT, La. – When thinking of how to achieve the skill level needed to be a professional bass angler, some things can come to mind: learning how to flip a jig, how to sight-fish or where to discover the perfect honey hole. However, some pro anglers say it was their math, geography and computer sciences classes that helped them achieve their lifelong goals of becoming professional fishermen on the Wal-Mart FLW tour.

During each Wal-Mart FLW Tour event, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., sends its team of pro anglers to a local school to talk with students about fishing conservation while stressing the importance of education. During the FLW Tour Championship in Shreveport, La., last week, pro anglers visited A.C. Steere Elementary to assemble with the fourth- and fifth-graders and to introduce the next generation of anglers to the world of fishing.

Attending the Sept. 13 assembly was Team Fujifilm member Joel Richardson of Kernersville, N.C. The other Fujifilm anglers had qualified for round three of the championship so they were unable to attend the assembly. Filling in for the Fuji pros were Snickers angler David Lauer of South Bend, Ind., and Castrol team member Bobby Curtis of Siloam Springs, Ark.

In addition to discussing fishing, the anglers talked to the students about having goals. They pointed out how education has played a significant role in their lives and helped them realize their goals of fishing professionally.

Lauer, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, emphasized the significance of finding a passion for something in life and chasing after it. He told the students to “follow your dreams, even after setbacks, with enthusiasm. Education is a top priority in achieving your dreams and is the basic foundation you need to build on.”

Curtis explained how his education helped him become a successful angler. He was able to tie fishing in with education through biology. He explained the importance of learning about conservation and the habitats of the fish he tries to catch. He also demonstrated how he uses math every day before he heading out to his favorite fishing spot. He set up this scenario for the students: If you are going out to fish your favorite hole that is 100 miles away, and you have 25 gallons of gas and get two miles per gallon, will you have enough to make the round trip?

Richardson stressed the importance of geography and computer science to the tournament angler. In order to win championships, an angler must know how to get to where the fish are biting, which takes more than just luck. It takes the skills of map reading and being able to use a computer-based GPS unit to help an angler navigate to the right location. Without the skills learned in his geography and computer science classes, he said his probability of success at a tournament would dramatically decrease.

Following the anglers was J.J. “The Dancing Machine,” a staple at all FLW Tour Family Fun Zone events, who helps kids build self-esteem. J.J. encouraged the Shreveport students to get up and follow his lead with the latest dance moves, teaching the children a new way to express themselves.

Also speaking was Dan Waters, the school principal, who summed up the assembly for the students: “You can’t be a winner all the time, but you must keep trying. The anglers here are not quitters and will be coming back next year to the championship prove it. In order to be successful you need determination in all that you do including in school and in fun.”

After the presentation, students were invited outside to see Team Fujifilm’s NASCAR-style boat and truck.The students were given the opportunity to hop on board for pictures with the anglers, and they were encouraged to ask questions.

The students learned about fishing while gaining a new appreciation for having a goal, working hard to achieve it and learning that education is a key to that successful process. The visiting pro anglers illustrated how education is an important steppingstone on the path to realizing goals, and their lifestyles provide the evidence – they have made careers out of fishing.