Can you also remember how dificult it seemed to catch fish? Or perhaps there was someone to help you understand the complex World of fishing.

The cycle of life has come full circle for me and now I feel a responsibility to teach others what I have learned. I still love battling big fish but I also get satisfaction teaching others the lessons I have learned.

I started my serious teaching with my wife. She saw my passion for fishing but did not understand why fishing held such appeal to me. She tolerated my absence, or perhaps looked forward to it, as I made hundreds of fishing trips. She also saw the considerable assets I put into tackle and boats.

Slowly I introduced her to my love of the outdoors. At first it was camping and boat rides in beautiful weather. Then it was bluegill and crappie fishing at peak times when success is almost guaranteed.

I was happy with my mentoring when she began suggesting that we go fishing. I knew she could tie knots or bait hooks and simply preferred to have me do it for her. Once she started shopping for her own tackle I knew she was becoming a fisherman.

Later my grandaughter Kayla became a companion for my wife and I. This evolved into trips with us as we fished. An empty slate with no fear of preconceptions, this child would follow directions and learn quickly.

At 4 years old Kayla won a casting kids competition and a Zebco 33 presented by Doug Stange. At 5 she noticed my wife and I using spinning reels and requested one. When I explained it was too complicated for her, she picked up the nearest rod rigged with a spinning reel and calmly cast it out into the lake. She spent the rest of that trip fishing with my favorite (expensive) spinning outfit. I wasted no time in getting to a tackle store buying her an ultralight spinning outfit.

Our bluegill fishing trips soon became contest between Kayla and Grandma with me as judge of who had bigger fish. I was assigned to rigging tackle and baiting hooks. My responsibility was to find willing fish and untangle lines.

I watched as both grew to love the out of doors as I do. Each of them aquired new skills and became better fishermen and good companions.

Since then I have tried to help catmen learn the intricacies of catching trophy flathead.

As we fish I try to explain how lucky we are to have the opportunity to catch these great trophies. I explain fishing techniques and strategies as much as each person is willing to listen.

I hope to instill good sportsmanship and conservation from each person I pass the information on to. I understand how demanding trophy fishing is and choose my students. Each much have a high level of commitment for the confidence necessary. I try to stay happy and have fun during the long wait for big fish.

I also see others sharing their knowledge with youngsters.

You can see that Chad brought this look of excitement to Madi's eyes with the thrill of this flathead.

Can you tell this fellow was glad to finally catch a good flathead?

As time goes by I hope you all will get satisfaction from sharing your experience with others. We need future generations caring for trophy fish. They will decide how fish are managed and maintain the sport for generations yet to come.

Your efforts can be as simple as taking a kid fishing. Just remember the thrill of catching your first bluegill.