Paying it Forward - A Huge Thank-You to the Members of BR

[Senko lover]

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

 

I joined this forum as a wildly enthusiastic young kid who had zero knowledge about bass fishing and even fewer lures in my tacklebox. My first ten or so fishing trips were spent fishing with every single lure and soft plastic bait I owned. I would just cycle through them and tie on another when I felt like changing things up. Didn't take too long to go through them all, because I had about 4 hard baits and a couple bags of plastics.

 

Joining Bass Resource introduced me to an extraordinary amount of information. I learned so much from each and every member on here. I gathered an incredible amount about fishing, but I also learned how to behave on a public forum and so many of you showed me a lot of grace, despite many moments of rash and immature speech.

 

One of the things that will always stand out to me about you guys is your generosity. Over the years, I've received over a thousand dollars worth of fishing tackle from the members of BR. I don't think I'm exaggerating that number. I've been sent reels, a decent chunk of a previous Tackle Warehouse Ike Miaconelli giveaway prize package, line, and countless hard baits, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, soft plastics, and terminal tackle. My parents were blown away when they saw me open some of the packages. They aren't well off and never had the money to buy me tackle themselves, and for them to see the generosity of strangers on the internet was incredible.

 

For me, it was like being a kid in a candy shop. I had so many new things to try and your gifts gave me the chance to try techniques, lures, and styles of fishing that I would have never spent the money to try on my own.

 

Most of that took place about two years ago. I couldn't even begin to name everyone who's reached out in that regard, because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. But since then, I've come to a place as an angler and a human being where I no longer need or desire free stuff. Not only have I found the brands and styles of baits that I like to fish with, I also know there are people who can use things far more than I can.

 

For the last two years, I've been wanting to do something similar to what everyone did for me. I accumulated a ton of tackle. I found myself fishing with less than a quarter of the tackle that I owned; the rest was just sitting on shelves, gathering dust. That had to change.

 

A few weeks ago, I compiled a large assortment of baits and was able to get in touch with a guy I know who runs a local tackle shop. He was fixing some equipment for me, and was more than willing to help out when I talked to him. He helps run a kids tournament every year on a local lake in NC,  and he's going to be giving the kids my tackle as part of that tournament. Some of that tackle is more than likely from some of you guys who sent it to me originally.

 

I highlight this not to promote personal generosity, but to say to each and every person who has given me information and tackle and wisdom over my years on here: you have given a gift that keeps on giving. Many thanks.

 

Kyle

 

P.S. Here are a couple fish I've caught on baits y'all have given to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flechero]

Great story... just remember how cool it was to be on the receiving end of that stuff...  it's even better to be on the giving end of it!   As you get older and have opportunities to bless others, take them... every one you can!  You will be richer for it.

 

Also, I love the catfish on the swimbait! 

 

You seem to be wise beyond your years, Tell your parents thank you for raising you to know and appreciate goodness. 

[Coldbasser]

Great post,

i was told when I was young 

Quote

The gift of a gift is in the giving

 

It took a bit but I have found it to be true

A grateful angler

Fred

[KurtActual]

Awesome story! I was given a box of flies on veteran's day as a thanks for my service. Besides the fact that Ive caught the majority of my fish on these flies, the thought behind them makes them even more special!

[buzzed bait]

kyle's a good kid that has his head on straight and that was evident when i first sent him a few items some time ago.  this post shows his maturity and ability to think outside the norm from a lot of kids his age.  good on ya kyle for paying it forward, i'm a firm believer that it all comes back around!!

 

[Catt]

'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you'll confuse him for a lifetime."

 

Bassresource's moto: pay it forward!

 

@Senko lover Kyle it has been an honor & privilege watching you grow!

 

You are what gives us ole farts peace of mind in knowing our sport is in good hands!

[RoLo]

 

Good Read Kyle!

 

27 minutes ago, Catt said:

You are what gives us ole farts peace of mind in knowing our sport is in good hands!

 

   That sums it up 

 

Roger

[whitwolf]

Kyle, from one North Carolinian to another you make me proud! You have always been enthusiastic, humorous, and an all around good Individual. Through these forums we have seen you grow from a super kid into a great young man. Selfless giving Is a testament to the goodness that resides In you. Thank you!

[wdp]

@Senko lover Great story & thanks for sharing! Thanks also for helping out those kids. Looks like the future of bass fishing is in good hands. 

 

And it is most definitely better to give than to receive. 

[Sam]

You have shown us a lot of maturity for a young man of you age and experience.

 

We are proud to have  you on the Forum.

 

Hopefully you will continue your education or join the military (and get a real education) which would make us all even more prouder of you.

 

Thanks for the testimony.

 

You are and will be a special individual on the Forum.

[Alpster]

Good job young man, never forget where you came from.

[lonnie g]

your a stand up dude! and I'm sure the kids will never forget , the same as you. glad your one of our members!!

[Jaderose]

Rock on, young man.  Rock on.

[Airman4754]

Keep it up young squire!

 

Catching bass is easy. Having the resources and the knowledge to be on them with the right stuff is tricky.

[everythingthatswims]

The only guy who can pull off a username with "senko" in it! Keep up the good work Kyle.

[kingmotorboat]

I've received bags full of plastics from a member here and have used them all up. Haven't got to return the favor yet, hoping I will soon. The man even attempted to personally deliver them to me even though I didn't notice him and left work. He found me though and got them to me. Don't know if I ever told ya but thanks Catt. We got to set that river trip up soon man

[Steveo-1969]

Great message Meatloaf and a pat on the back for paying it forward.

 

And in an unrelated note may I say your written communication skills never cease to amaze me!!

[OperationEagle]

Kyle I would like to say you are off to a great start in life.

 

Kudos also to your parents who arent well off but have done a fantastic job raising you and instilling a sense of value in you.  This will serve you well.

 

Pay it forward some more as you get married, have children, and teach them how to treat others....and perhaps using fishing as a mechanism for doing so.

 

Thanks for sharing your journey and experience.

[the reel ess]

Teach a man to fish and he'll start replies on the latest tackle purchase bait monkey thread.