When my old fishing partner, Rob Welch, called me to discuss his new endeavor for a website to complement his fishing show “In Your Backyard Iowa” I admitted that he was he was really making the right step to reach out to outdoor enthusiasts to explore more of what Iowa has to offer in quality fishing destinations within our borders.  I applauded him for his efforts to share an extremely important quality of life benefit that so many of us have enjoyed throughout our lives.  Whether fishing and hunting has been a family tradition, or whether some event motivated an individual to pick up a rod and reel out of curiosity and became “hooked” themselves, it is a sport that has no age restrictions, no test for level of competency, nor any minimum requirement for the amount of investment needed to reap great rewards.  It is one of the most fundamentally enjoyable ways to spend time with family, friends, or in complete solitude.   

I thought that the motivational support I was providing him would be enough to convey my appreciation for what he is doing with his television show and now this website, but oh no!  I should have known better.  Here he was, fishing again, and obviously dropping the right bait in front of me to lure me into being a “fishing partner” again.  Just like fishing out of the back of his boat, he’ll decide where we are going to fish, get all the first casts, and try to catch all the fish.  But I really don’t mind, because I know the ride will be worth it.  I’ve always been a good “net-man” for him so I accepted the invitation.   

My part of this adventure will be to write about what’s really behind the fisherman or hunter that reaps the rewards of that successful day on the water, or the memorable hunting trip.  As a “retired” Conservation Director for BASS/ESPN Outdoors and Board member of the Iowa Conservation Alliance, I’ve had many opportunities over the years to be a part of protecting and preserving our natural resources so we can not be ashamed of what we leave behind for our kids and grandchildren.  Protecting our natural resources so future generations of anglers and hunters can experience the quality of life we may take for granted during our fishing and hunting trips is one of the most important legacies we can leave behind for our kids.  Anyone watching Rob’s show or logging onto his website has that inherent love for clean water, abundant habitat, and convenient access to our ponds, lakes, rivers, and favorite hunting grounds.  Intelligent Conservation should be in our blood.  Providing the opportunity for a son or daughter to catch quality fish or fill out that bag limit after a good days’ hunt should be in our blood as well.  Just take a minute to think back on how you were introduced to fishing or hunting.   

So for Rob to be driven enough to showcase the quality of outdoor recreational opportunities through his “In Your Backyard Iowa” television show, I applaud him and those who help him produce this show.  And, just like old times, I’ll be right there behind him with the net, ready to help him succeed in any way I can.  

Thanks for the opportunity buddy.  

Jay Walton