Another life lost on a boat ramp

Only weeks ago the fishing world was rocked, when 53 years old Gregg Hawkins, was murdered as he ended a fine day out on the water. Today, it saddens us all again as we begin hearing of 18 years old Keith Poche’s murder, as he finished up a day of fishing. Times certainly have changed since I started fishing many years ago. Never was I afraid to fish alone in my boat and come in late at night by myself. It just never crossed my mind to worry about be mugged or killed at the boat ramp.

 

At this time when gun control is such a big deal, I’m going to have to say that if Mr. Poche was armed he would still be with us today. Most fishermen fish with a partner, many do not. A lone fisherman on an empty boat ramp late at night is an easy target. If you are going to put yourself in that situation, arm yourself. Keep your cell phone and your firearm close at hand. Safety is no longer just an on the water thing. It’s terribly sad, but it’s true.

 

If possible I suggest always fishing with a partner. Sometimes this alone will keep you safe. Criminals are cowards and usually only prey on easy, single, targets. Since I have started my You Tube channel, Simply Fishing, I mostly fish by myself. There is no room for a partner in my kayak, and I do my own camera work. Yes, this does make me nervous at times. Many places I plan on going, I have never been before. Will being afraid keep me from fishing, I don’t think so. I take my own advice on this one. I keep my fire arm on me at all times, and my cell phone close too. I’m not afraid to use either.

 

Anglers, as you finish up your day of fishing, look around to see who is left. If there is one person left all alone, do the right thing, hang around and make sure everyone gets home safely. It’s these little things that separate the good guys from the bad guys.

https://youtu.be/hD0Ow-Ic3D4 My Simply Fishing You Tube channel

2016 A New Beginning

This blog actually started in my mind tonight, as I walked my dog under the canopy of stars with the crisp winter air nipping at my face. The beauty of mother nature surrounds us constantly, we only have to slow down a bit and take it in. I thought to myself as I walked along, this needs to be my office. This is where I’m the happiest, and this is where I need to make a living.

I don’t believe much in new year’s resolutions, most never last anyway. But, I do firmly believe in setting goals. Setting attainable goals and reaching them gives a person confidence. Confidence and a positive attitude are a person’s best tools for achieving anything. Many of you have watched my fishing videos by the same name as my blog, “Simply Fishing.” When I started making videos about 6 months ago, my goal was to bring the sport of fishing to a few people and friends that either were learning to fish or maybe had never fished at all.

Once I got my videos up and running I began to set new goals. First of all, I wanted to make better quality videos. I think in the last month or so is when I started actually getting comfortable with the camera running. Editing, to me, is harder than catching fish. So, editing better is a goal I am still working on.

Sometime around the first of the year my videos reached 1000 views. I realize that in internet terms 1000 views is a very small number. To me it is a proud milestone as I continue to reach toward the stars that I walked under tonight. I hope before the next 6 months is up to reach 10,000 views. Is that unrealistic, I don’t think so…we’ll have to see come the end of June.

I’d like to thank each and every one of you that have supported me over the years, I hope you find it in your heart to continue. This is my niche, this is what makes me happy and I plan on sharing my love with the outdoors for many years to come. My videos are meant to be honest reflections of my fishing adventures. They are meant to teach, and to entertain. I hope and pray that they do. Every like, share, and comment, means the world to me and pushes me on to do even better the next time.

I hope those of you with kids will share my videos with them. My videos are clean and they are purposely kept that way for the children’s sake. I firmly believe children need to get outside more. I have a big 2016 planned out, I hope you all will hang with me and share in my love for the outdoors. In case I’m reaching a few new readers today, I’ll leave a link to one of my favorite videos below…please enjoy.

You guys have a great day and an even better year.

Lowell Henderson

https://youtu.be/D7f2OTLsNnI