Bud takes the Bowman family on their first fishing trip

I have been having a blast shooting segments for my "Outdoors with bud" podcasts for the Kokomo Lantern. My cameraman, Curtis Bowman, has been a true blessing. His talent with cameras and making me look good is truly remarkable.

I have worked with several different people throughout my career, and I would certainly rank Curtis right at the top of the scale. He knows his trade, and he is easy to work with. Golly, he works a full-time job plus has a lovely wife and two adorable daughters and does the camera work, shooting podcasts for the Kokomo Lantern. I have the highest respect for him, and I am proud to call him a friend.

Curtis and I had shot four segments, and he was at his home doing some editing. He messaged me that he had bought his daughter her first fishing pole, and I could tell in his voice he was indeed proud. I was delighted to hear that.

He said she walked into the room and was watching him do some editing, and she said, "I want that guy to teach me how to fish!" When Curtis told me that, I was very proud that she would want me to assist her. I told Curtis I would be honored to do that if we could work something out.

I have taught so many kids how to fish over the years that I could not even estimate a number. I taught my brothers and sisters how to fish. I taught my daughter and son how to fish. I taught many kids in our hometown and neighborhood how to fish.

I taught several hundred kids that enrolled in the Jim "Moose" Carden Kids’ Fishing Clinic how to fish. I also taught my 12 grandkids and 12 (so far) great-grandkids how to fish. I helped several kids at church and school functions how to fish, and I can honestly say I do not regret it in the least! I just hope before my life is over that I can double or triple that number.

Curtis and I started trying to work out a date that agreed with his schedule and mine, and we worked at a time and location to meet and take the kids fishing. We used the facilities and pond at the South Creek Church in Kokomo, and Curtis, his wife Madi, their four-year old daughter Oaklynn, and her friend Riley got out of their truck with their fishing poles.

I shook their hands and got a big hug. Riley told me, "It’s my birthday, and I have never caught a fish!” I smiled and wished her a Happy Birthday and said, "Well, let’s see if we can get you a fish for your birthday!"

The girls were really excited, and it made my excitement level elevate as well. I was just hoping the fish would be hungry!

I had never fished the pond before, but it looked pretty good. It had quite a bit of moss and matted weeds close to the bank that I figured would make fishing rather tough. Before we got started fishing, I offered some suggestions to the girls about the proper way to carry their fishing rods so they would not break the rod tip or gouge another person, causing injury. I described safe casting procedures so they would not hook a person close to them. The girls were very attentive, and I showed them how to bait their hook.

I had Oaklynn, and I helped her cast her line out into the water. On the very first cast, a bluegill bit the redworm. Her little round pink and white bobber went under, and Oaklynn had her first fish of the day. She was laughing and giggling and jumping up and down, and I was overjoyed myself.

I showed the girls how to handle the fish safely so they would not get spiked, and I explained to them the protective "slime" coating on the fish was not due to the fish being dirty. It is actually a protective coating on the fish to protect it from disease and infections. Then, we started taking pictures and shooting footage for the podcast.

I started working with Riley, and I helped her make a cast. WHAM! She caught her first fish. She was excited and couldn't wait to cast back out and catch another one. I never gained the ability to make a cast, set the hook, reel in the fish, and jump up and down all at once, but these young ladies had moves I never acquired, and at my age I never will.

Curtis and his wife assisted me baiting hooks, helping the girls cast, removing the fish, and rebaiting the hooks. I believe it is safe to say everyone had a blast. I always said, the "F" in fishing stands for family. This was proven that afternoon. I just hope the young ladies had as much fun as I did. I also believe Curtis and Madi had fun. I just hope we get to do it again sometime.

I think I am now at the point in my fishing career that I enjoy passing the tradition to the younger folks because they are the future of fishing and hunting. There are many things that kids can get involved in that are far more detrimental to them than fishing!

As you view some of the included photos, look at the smiles on the young ladies' faces. I would say it was well worth my time to spend it with them. I have memories I will cherish!