I went to the Central Jersey Trout Unlimited meeting tonight:

[Moz]

Quite a lot said in your post Andy but I see quite a number of "younger" guys fishing the shoreline at RVR. A boat is a pricey and space-hogging proposition and with the economy being what it is I don't think the boatramps are a good lithmus test. I think you make a valid point though that most kids (and worse their parents!) don't make the outdoors a priority anymore.

As for fishing clubs I have my opinion on that but I don't want to stoke any controversey on here. I'm just a few years removed from being in my 30's myself but for me fishing is supposed to be an enjoyable pursuit and from what I've seen the social aspects of the clubs can be very cliquish and mired with politics. When I was in my 20's I just wanted to go out at night and chase girls.... Not get into arguments with 50+ year old men on things like C&R efforts (like a certain club's website that was made popluar here not too long ago).

I think the younger generation feels equally "connected" by being online than going to meetings. There's probably a reason why a totally online site like this one gets more traffic than some of the clubs official sites.

[Wilson]

Everything for the younger generation is "virtual"
Experiencing other peoples experiences virtualy is the same as experienceing it for yourself.
Go on Youtube and you can watch/do anything you can think of.
Facebook, Insta-gram et. al have removed the uncomfortable face to face meet.
Bug bites,ticks, mud, bad weather body odor,and sticker bushes are only for the real do'ers. Socializing is an electronic sport these days.
Boy I must be getting old Better that then dead.

[lunkertaker]

Originally Posted by Wilson

Everything for the younger generation is "virtual"
Experiencing other peoples experiences virtualy is the same as experienceing it for yourself.
Go on Youtube and you can watch/do anything you can think of.
Facebook, Insta-gram et. al have removed the uncomfortable face to face meet.
Bug bites,ticks, mud, bad weather body odor,and sticker bushes are only for the real do'ers. Socializing is an electronic sport these days.
Boy I must be getting old Better that then dead.

Wilson you as I know that these are the real facts...

watching someone on you tube drink a beer or catch a fish will never replace the actual event. The hands on experience is just not there. Living a virtual existence, glued to the cell phone for your every thought, expression, and idea is where the next comment comes from is insane, but true for so many. I have taught my kids the value of experiencing the real event, recognizing it's significance, and living the moment. Instilling these values is essential. We may be in a minority now, but my kids know the real deal...Just saying as they experience it every weekend with Me.