Across the U.S., states are reporting an increase in fishing license sales. We wondered why. We also wanted to know what they're going after and how they're going about it. To answer those questions and present of a mosaic of U.S. anglers, we are launching ESPNOutdoors.com's Fishing America.
The Mullen family's annual pilgrimage
For 26 years the Mullen family of Mill Valley, Calif., has made a pilgrimage on the week of the Fourth of July to the Crystal Springs Recreation Area, which lies north of the Desolation Wilderness Area in the high Sierras between the Tahoe National Forest and the El Dorado National Forest.
Their destination is a chain of reservoirs that provides the City of Sacramento with its drinking water, especially Loon Lake. And when they arrive at this hallowed ground, they meet up with four other families that have been doing the same thing for an equal number of years.
John Mullen said that the location was discovered by the father of one of the other four families about 40 years ago. In those days, the area was only accessible by foot, horse, or motorcycle.
Football coach equates catch to touchdown
High school football coach Paul Calley gets away from the stresses by fishing for largemouth.
"If you're going to be addicted to something, it might as well be fishing", Paul Calley said. "Fishing is my kind of therapy."
The coach's passion was undeniable. One of his catch-phrases was appropriate, considering the situation. Right after he would catch a fish, he'd say, "Man that's a touchdown right there."
Lake manager fishes for unknown, sense of success
Steve Hanson, who holds a master's degree in Fisheries from Michigan State University, is a Regional Lake Manager at PLM Lake and Land Management near Lansing, Mich.
Hanson fishes a number of private spots he's discovered, and is an opinionated, conservative, and passionate fisherman and father.
He was asked a varity of angling questions, and answered this to why he fishes.
"It's about not knowing what may be lying below the surface of the water waiting to ambush my bait. I believe it is an addiction that falls in line with many others that involve the pursuit of the unknown, the thrill of the hunt and the enjoyment of success."
Marathon Man: Record-holder fishes to benefit others
Bigger is not always better as far as Jeff Kolodzinski and fishing is concerned. Kolo, as he is known, doesn't target the biggest fish, usually just the most.
Kolodzinski, also known as The Marathon Man, has competed for the U.S. in international competitions, and he used that "European shore fishing" style recently in an attempt to break his Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most fish caught in a 24-hour period.
After catching 1,680 fish last year to set the record, he missed the mark by about a hundred because a storm hit over the Maynard's dock on Lake Minnetonka and knocked out more than 2 hours of fishing.
The would-be glory was only secondary though as the feat was also attempted to benefit Fishing for Life and the "Armed Forces Family Fishing Celebration," a day where kids of those deployed or recently back from action get a day on the lake. The Frabill vice president of marketing also sought publicity for another reason.
" I really wanted to show people you can have a ton of fun fishing," he said. "You don't have to invest a bunch of money and you can catch a ton of fish."
KVD's love of fishing turns into stuff of legends
In our Fishing America series, we've had anglers fishing to feed themselves, or their church congregation. We've featured anglers who fish for fun and relaxation and those who just simply fell in love with fishing.
Elite Series angler Kevin VanDam, who recently wrapeed up his fifth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, is all that and more. The two-time Bassmaster Classic champion from Kalamazoo, Mich., has career earnings of nearly $3.5 million, providing for wife Sherry and twin sons Jackson and Nicholas well. But for the man regarded as the best competitive bass angler in the world, enjoyment from fishing is foremost.
Elementary school teacher fascinated with angling
Farther offshore, mako sharks, blue marlin and mahi mahi are targets. But he also travels to Florida's East Coast and Caba San Lucas for good shots a big game, like sailfish, wahoo, swordfish and marlin.
But like any fisherman, he's happy to fish local waters.
"There's nothing I like better than to bring friends out here on the water," Barrientos said. "It doesn't get any better than this."
Fishing family affair for Shane Robin
"I was born and raised here," Robin said. "My family is in the seafood business. I am a full-time guide, but I also own two oyster boats — my whole life was down here." Story
Cousins have grown up on oxbow lake in NE Louisiana
Retired teacher has had some life on the line
Georgia angler almost dies for a catfish
fish are food
When it comes to fishing, Larry Mulligan lives by one credo: If a fish isn't worth eating, it isn't worth catching.
The 52-year-old Fox Island, Wash., resident likes to catch trophy fish as much as the next guy, but would never spend his hard earned time and money chasing a fish just to hang it on the wall.
"Trophy fish are simple bonuses that happen while I'm trying to put fish in the box," he says. "First and foremost, fish are food."
So a couple times a year he hires a guide to take him out on the Pacific Ocean with expectations of bringing back a cooler of silver salmon filets for the grill and king salmon steaks for the smoker.
50 states in 50 days
Covering 15,000 miles by land, 6,000 miles by air, and 500 miles by water, the succeeded.
"Our hope is that our adventure will inspire others across the nation to realize their dreams for adventure and connect once again," Jeff Turner said. "To find and live out that adventure in their lives — to build a lasting memory — to rekindle that long lost relationship — to leave a legacy."
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Trout bums follow hatches up Rocky Mountain
A giant occasion: 5,000 pounds of sturgeon
in rich White Marlin Open
While some fish for pure enjoyment and others fish for food, anglers in the 36th Annual White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md., were going after the big bucks.
With entry fees that can total more than $15,000 if a boat goes all-in — meaning it can cash in on the Calcuttas — some big catches allowed the fortunate anglers to take home a small fortune from the five-day tournament.
For the top white marlin, a rare catch, one boat earned a $903,442 payout ... and that was for a 93.5-pound fish. On the big side, Robert Farris of Charlotte, N.C., caught a Maryland state record blue marlin aboard "No Problem," and that 1,062-pound behemoth garnered the boat a $454,999 paycheck. Story
