Family Fishing

Although the first video games were invented in 1948, the first ones I remember seeing were Asteroids and Space Invaders in a pizza parlor in the late 1970’s. My pals and I stopped by to get a couple of slices after football practice and there was a line out the door. We were pleased to see that the line wasn’t for food, but that line for the video game represented its own set of issues.

One issue was the shift to indoor, visual stimulation. As time increased, video games and digital technology became a greater part of our lives, so much so that in 2011, video games alone represented a nearly $17 billion business. One refreshing change I’ve seen in the past few years is what most of us have known all along: family fishing is on the rise. For those folks who took some time off to play in the world of technology, welcome back. And how about bringing along some of your friends?

Here’s why:
 

1. In 20 years, no one is going to look back on Instagrams or Snap Chats.
   
    

2. They will not remember the video games they won.
   
    

3. As adults, they probably won’t place pictures of themselves with an iphone, a tablet, and a console with a joystick on their desk.
    

4. In 2011 there were about 11.6 million anglers between the ages of 6-15
   
    

5. In 2011 there were 48.3 million gamers between the ages of 6-15
   
    

6. In 1970, 8% of children were overweight.
   
    

7. In 2010, 40% of children were overweight.
   
    

8. In 2010, kids spent an average of 2.5 hours listening to music, 5 hours or TV and movies, and 3 hours of Internet and video games for a total of 75 hours per week.
    

People are a lot more active when they go fishing. They have more fun. They make memories that are told in the form of stories that are re-told from generation to generation. They take pictures that commemorate biggest catches, smallest catches or first catches. Yeah, we might poke fun at some outdated hair styles and clothing but it’ll be in good fun. Those moments are the parts of our lives that are worth reliving.

And the reason we have something worth reliving is ‘cause we did something fun and worthwhile in the first place. You’re reading this which means that I’m preaching to the choir. But my hat is off to you for going fishing with your family. And if you can rub off on your non-fishing friends and their families then I’ll be thankful and appreciative of your efforts as well.

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Tom Keer

Tom Keer is an award-winning writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  He is a columnist for the Upland Almanac, a Contributing Writer for Covey Rise magazine, a Contributing Editor for both Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America, and a blogger for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Take Me Fishing program.  Keer writes regularly for over a dozen outdoor magazines on topics related to fishing, hunting, boating, and other outdoor pursuits.  When they are not fishing, Keer and his family hunt upland birds over their three English setters.  His first book, a Fly Fishers Guide to the New England Coast was released in January 2011.  Visit him at www.tomkeer.com or at www.thekeergroup.com.