Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Huckabee Wants Youth "Hooked"

To say people in Arkansas are hooked on fishing would be an understatement.

After all, fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the state. Annually, this sport brings in millions of dollars from tourists who know of Arkansas' rich angling tradition.

But, there is another reason for people in the state to get "Hooked on Fishing." This is because it will help at-risk youngsters find a positive alternative to drugs, gangs and violence.

According to Jim Harris, director of press operations with the governor's office, the Department of Parks and Tourism, along with the Arkansas Department of Education and Gov. Mike Huckabee got together to help create this new program.

Huckabee, a fisherman himself, thinks it is a great way to offer positive alternatives to youngsters of all ages.

He unveiled the program at recent visits to Central Junior High in Springdale and a fishing derby at MacAurthur Park in Little Rock.

The program combines fishing instruction with life skills development in areas such as decision making, communication and responsibility. It is also designed to provide children with positive role models.

"Few states are better suited than Arkansas for such a program," he said. "Our state has 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of rivers and streams where people can fish."

Huckabee wants to help place the Hooked on Fishing -- Not Drugs program in as many schools as possible. He said fishing introduces something into children's lives that can address some of the reasons they turn to drugs. These reasons include peer pressure, loneliness, boredom and the lack of good role models.

"The program's teachers open a whole new world to a generation that is too easily bored," Huckabee said. "Anyone who has ever watched a child catch their first fish knows what an exciting experience it can be. Catching a fish produces a natural high that drugs just can't match."

As more children learn to fish, he continued, there will be peer pressure to take up this sport.

"Once a young person gets hooked on fishing, their world changes," he said. "No longer is yesterday just like today or today just like tomorrow. Instead, children learn to anticipate the seasons and look forward to every day."

However, the best part of the program could well be the cost to taxpayers -- nothing. Harris said it will be a volunteer program with adults donating their time and expertise to help youngsters learn how to fish.

And, he said, the program is open to everyone.

"The one-on-one relationship," Harris said, "will go a long way toward fighting drug abuse, and everyone can have fun at the same time."

Harris said the expectations of the Hooked on Fishing -- Not Drugs program are high. The peer pressure should change, he said, from young people discussing trying the drugs of the day to talking about what a great time they had fishing, and encouraging their friends to try this instead of drugs.

"Arkansas will come out ahead," he said. "These young people will grow up, get good jobs and be responsible adults through learning how to fish instead of getting on drugs, committing crimes and being put in prison.

"We see this as a win for everyone."

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Hooked on Fishing -- Not Drugs program can call the Department of Tourism, the ADE or the Governor's Office for more information. Or, they can contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.