Press Releases

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 30, 2013) —With the summer heat simmering down, fall is the ideal time to get outside and enjoy a day on the water. The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ campaign offers five reasons for beginners to get out and try fishing and boating in Autumn.

1. Ideal Conditions: Autumn provides ideal conditions to get out and try fishing and boating. Temperatures are cooler during the day, so fish are more active, which means a first-timer is more likely to hook their first catch. 
2. Accessibility: More than 90 percent of Americans live within an hour driving distance of navigable water, making it easy and affordable for beginners to enjoy fishing and boating this fall. To find places to fish and boat near you, visit TakeMeFishing.org’s Places to Boat and Fish Map. 
3. Stress Relief: Reports show that being near the water can naturally help lower anxiety, and fishing and boating are easy ways to naturally relieve stress, all the more reason for someone new to try these sports. In fact, a 2013 survey conducted on behalf of RBFF’s Take Me Fishing campaign reveals that 20 percent of Americans credit relaxation and stress relief as the main reason they appreciate fishing. 
4. Conservation: More people fishing and boating means more funds for protecting, conserving and restoring our nation's aquatic resources from tackle  and supply sales, fishing license sales and boat registrations. Fishing and boating give outdoor enthusiasts a way to help preserve the nation’s waterways.
5. Health Benefits: Fishing and boating bring a wealth of health. An hour of casting, an afternoon of kayaking or reeling in a big fish on your line can be great exercise for any age. Visit TakeMeFishing.org’s YouTube page for how-to videos for beginners. 

“Millions of Americans recognize fall as a great time to get out on the water,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “That’s why we encourage those who are already hiking or biking to purchase a tackle box, fishing rod and fishing license, and enjoy all the added benefits of fall fishing and boating too – including the scenic foliage.”

For additional information including how to purchase a fishing license in your state and for boating safety tips, visit TakeMeFishing.org.

About The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
Celebrating 15 years in 2013, RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ campaign to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing helps boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign website, TakeMeFishing.org, features tips and how-to’s that can be used all over the country, tools to compare different styles of boats, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.