Westernbass Magazine - June 2012, Page 35

Westernbass Magazine - June 2012, Page 35

truly are the research and development department of the industry as a whole. in many cases, they produce the products that get the consumer excited about hot new techniques and trends. The point behind all of the above is that even big companies don’t forget that the real magic behind our industry is that it is driven by passion for catching fish. Whether large or small, the industry knows that the key to being successful is to produce something that drives people’s passion for fishing. Professional anglers are the same. all of them, whether it is the upper echelon pros, the journeyman or the rookie, got into this sport because they loved fishing, and while many of them have developed into tremendous businessmen, none of them have lost their love of the sport. When that is truly evident is when they organize fishing days, charity outings and fundraisers. Many of them donate their time and money to charities all over the globe, but when it comes to fishing; and in

particular, fishing with kids is when their true heart is put on display. There are three examples of that recently that elite Series pros have taken part in, or are about to take part in.

Most recently, Skeet Reese, from Auburn, Calif. just held his second Kids Fishing day as a fundraiser for the Meadow Vista Community Center. in 2011 the first event was held. There were around 400 kids that registered to fish and more than $6,000 was raised for the cause of helping to complete the community center project. in 2012, the pre-registered kids exceeded the amount of those that attended the first event, and while we won’t know what the total monies raised for the project will be for a few more days, it will most likely be significant. reese’s wife Kim had overseen the organizing of the vendors, permits and volunteers and did a masterful job of pulling them all together. While he

Issue 3

June 2012

35