I’m not sure where to start with this story. This is another time when I wish I had some kind of recording device on me at all times. If you ever meet Jim Roberson and you care anything at all about fishing, you’ll wish you had one too. Actually, if ever do you run into Jim, tell him to “stay right here” while you go out and buy one. Trust me.

Jim Roberson of Shalimar Florida is a representative for the IGFA ( International Game Fish Association).I chanced to meet Jim at the Flora-Bama bar the Saturday night before final weigh-in of the “Red Snapper World Championship". I explained to Jim who we were and that we were in town to work the tournament as official sponsors. Usually, when I try to explain Bottombangers.net to people, it’s clear by their reactions if they’ve ever pursued this pastime or not. This reaction I’d never seen before. Jim began to “light up” like a marlin in the gulf stream and vertical bars began to appear along either side of his tall frame. Then he told me who he was. That’s when I began to fumble around for the recorder. Jim was a big fish and I sensed the right rigger letting go. Time to start backing down and that’s what I did for the rest of the night. Somehow, in my trance I was able to wave my partner Ed Murray over as the distractions of the Flora-Bama on a Saturday night began to fade into a silence and we listened to this fellow speak of “blue water” and a lifetime upon it. Somewhere between the rounds of stories and laughter his expression became serious and this story emerged:

I am involved with the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation. Last year I got involved because I thought that I could teach the kids about fishing ethics, conservation, and about the marine environment as part of my mission as an IGFA Rep. The teaching protocol that I use is along the lines of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Kids’ Fishing Clinic protocol. I donated the food for 150 kids and enlisted the help of my Elk's lodge to prepare the food. The trip was as much a learning experience for me as it was for the kids.

Most of these children are in foster care because they have been abused by their own parents. The kids in 2006 came from four different states. We hope to build on this and expand to other states as soon as we can grow the organization. These children also come from a broad spectrum of society and represent all races, religions, and ethnicities. It is amazing that while some of the children have learning disabilities others are quite intelligent and eager to learn. This is the first time that most of the kids have ever been on a boat or seen the Gulf beaches. Many have never traveled from their home state. One child even thanked Bob Wilder for helping them "Live their dream" by taking them to McDonald's for a hamburger. I took it upon myself to make sure that every kid aboard caught a fish. All of the volunteers on the boats were working hard to make sure that this happens. This included teaching how to bait hooks and use the tackle, and hook fish with circle hooks. I had a problem with one little girl who was afraid of me. This is probably because I am so big. It took 3 hours for her to warm up to me. She saw me get her sister to catch a fish and then she warmed up to the idea. I got down on my knees and hooked a small snapper and ask for her to help me reel it in. After two or three fish she got the hang of it and she really enjoyed catching fish. That’s her in the photo.

The boats then proceeded to the Destin Fishing Rodeo Scales where the Rodeo Weigh master Bruce Cheves made a special effort to weigh in every child's fish. This virtually stopped the Destin Fishing Rodeo while we weighed in 150 junior anglers fish. We had a possible Red Grouper Junior World record to weigh in for one young man who missed a world record by an ounce. We had a “Glass Eye”Snapper that you read about as well as another potential world record that I can't recall at the moment. All of these kids got an additional standing ovation from the crowd at the scales and every child was a big winner.

I have fished in and run many tournaments over the years but this is something special! The day I spent on the water with these kids was the BEST fishing trip that I have been on. Believe me, that's saying something as many years as I have spent on the water. At the end of the day seeing the smiles on those faces and knowing that you have effected so many children in a positive way is a feeling I can not describe. Especially, in light of the tragic stories that many have lived though at such a young age. I have not only volunteered for next year but was asked to serve on the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundations Board of Directors of which I am privileged to serve.

Jim Roberson works the crowd at the 2007 Red Snapper World Championship Photo Courtesy Ken Cooper

I have only known Bob Wilder for a year. I can say that what this man and this organization have accomplished is nothing short of a miracle. This is a fitting tribute to his friend Larry Hatchett and is a testament of his commitment and integrity. While serving this organization I feel that I am serving these kids who have been dealt a tough circumstance to overcome. I have never been more proud to be an IGFA Representative then when I am working with these kids. This is what giving back to the sport is all about. This is also true community service. I am not aware of a more deserving organization that is involved with disadvantaged children and fishing than the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation.

If you have any questions regarding this fine organization please don't hesitate to e-mail or call anytime. It would be my pleasure to tell you all about it. We hope to expand this program to 250 kids next year. I hope that we can make this happen.

Visit the Larry Hatchett fishing foundation website at:

http://www.rocktoberfish.com/

Remember:

“If you give a man a fish

He will eat for a day,

If you teach a man to fish

He will eat for a lifetime.

If you teach a child to fish

He may feed the world.”

Sincerely,

Jim Roberson

IGFA International Committee