Is fishing aging out?

[Seth]

I'm 28 and been addicted to hunting and fishing for years. Dad is the one I can tank forr that. I also played plenty of video games growing up too. Having a mentor when young is the key in my opinion.

[dtrs5kprs]

You don't see the youngsters because they are doing 70 mph and wearing buffs. But they are out there.

Yep. A lot of the younger folks are in the go fast, attack the fish like KVD crowd. I was too at 25. Like a pistol, a little age wears the corners off.

It is anecdotal, but very few of my friends growing up had anything to do with the outdoors. Took many of them fishing for the first time, all the way into college. Seems to be more kids into outdoor pursuits now, based on my own kids. Not always fishing, a lot of hunting. The HS and college programs seem to be taking off.

Kids need somebody to take them, show them, or at the least tell them about how to fish. Keep that in mind when you post reports, or decide not to.

[Clay Goforth]

I don't think it is aging out, actually. If anything, I think it might be growing...for those that want to, get on instagram and search "fishing." There are millions of photos posted with that tag added. I'm 32 and, as someone said, "ate up with it." Like Seth, I have been since I was about 3 years old. It is all I want to do. Colleges are adding Bass Clubs that fish against each other and even offering scholarships now... Where was that 12 years ago when I was in college?

[bs1827]

I'm 24 and know a ton of guys my age that hunt and fish. In recent years things like bowhunting and fly fishing have become very popular with a lot of the younger guys. I think our generation has suffered a bit from technology, but as said earlier I believe a lot of it has to do with parents not taking the time to get their kids out in the woods or on the water. However, I will also argue that technology has really enhanced outdoor media and began to draw more and more people into our sports. Two great examples of this are the guys from Montana Wild and Heartland Bowhunter- young guys that provide content that is extremely appealing to generations young and old. As wrench said before, next time your on the water keep a look out for the neck buffs and flat billed hats.

[Clay Goforth]

I'm 24 and know a ton of guys my age that hunt and fish. In recent years things like bowhunting and fly fishing have become very popular with a lot of the younger guys. I think our generation has suffered a bit from technology, but as said earlier I believe a lot of it has to do with parents not taking the time to get their kids out in the woods or on the water. However, I will also argue that technology has really enhanced outdoor media and began to draw more and more people into our sports. Two great examples of this are the guys from Montana Wild and Heartland Bowhunter- young guys that provide content that is extremely appealing to generations young and old. As wrench said before, next time your on the water keep a look out for the neck buffs and flat billed hats.

The guys at Montana Wild put together awesome film....

[Jason R.]

Whats funny is that my dad took me and my brother fishing all the time when we were little- ponds, Arkansas River, Lake Maumelle, Lake Conway, Lake Chicot- all the AR trout rivers etc. Anyway- I was always climbing through the brush to a better spot, begging to stay out a couple more minutes, etc while my brother just played with the lures or dangled his feet in the water. Some people get the itch- some don't. My addiction didn't really take off until college though- when I started fly-fishing with my roommate- who was a danged good fisherman. Now my wife thinks something is wrong with me because I want to fish all the time...

[Green]

I think the main reason is that there are more options these days for people to explore other hobbies. I never heard of LARPing until a guy I play hurling with quit to do that (both real things). Invite that young person fishing and spend time teaching. I started to get into fly fishing a couple of years ago. I'm by no means an expert, but I try to spend more time teaching what i know. Had several buddies get hooked and enjoy going out. Probably more to do with Beer drinking and away from home, but a victory is a victory.

[jdmidwest]

I don't know if it is "ageing out", but it does not seem like it is going away. Everytime I get time to go do something, I seem to run into more and more "afield" in places that I always considered remote and quiet. I used to be able to wade a small stream and not see a soul, but now I see more doing the same. Rivers are swelled to the brim with floaters on the weekends that I used to be able to float and catch fish. Camping areas have no vacancy signs where you used to be able to pull in any time and get a spot.

What I have noticed is certain agencies promoting the "hugger" side of conservation, instead making better hunting and fishing opportunities. No new lakes, no added ramps, fewer land acquisitions, less access to areas. More natural areas, blocked access, closed camping areas.

[Feathers and Fins]

I see all age groups come in the store from kids with parents to very old "New Noah" types. You don't see the kids during the week much but on weekends there is a bunch.

I do think Video games and two parents having to work and families more spread out has taken away younger anglers being on the water more often but they are still there when they can.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

The mentality for younger kids to be able to go outside by them selves has changed. I am 36, grew up in a rough part of St Louis City. It was nothing for me to go out and be gone half the day at 10 years old. If my parents knew what I was going to be doing, I could be gone all day. My son is 15, and my wife freaks out if he is gone two hours by himself. We live in a great neighborhood with a park that has 3 ponds right outside of the subdivision. I encourage my kids to fish, and play outside.