A nationally syndicated outdoors television program cast its lines Friday at Poplar Bluff High School.
The Outdoor Channel’s Fishing University hosts Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier, along with a number of associated professionals, informed a crowd of anxious students about careers in the outdoor recreation industry.
The event was a cooperative effort that included Fishing University; the high school; The World Fishing Network, home of the Outdoor Channel; and the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce among others, Chamber President Steve Halter said.
“This show has been broadcast for nearly 40 years,” Brazier said. “Today, we’re talking to the kids about careers in the outdoors.
“There are opportunities available I’m sure they haven’t even thought about,” the fishing pro added. “This industry is huge.”
Halter noted the chamber’s regional tourism project, See The Ozarks, is popular among area residents, and visitors as well.
“We’re always promoting all the amenities and points of interest in our area,” Halter said. “Not just Poplar Bluff — the entire region. We’re really trying to promote Wappapello Lake. We think it’s a great asset. It’s a great fishing lake.”
Halter said the chamber contracted with Fishing University to land the pros for the benefit of the area and the students.
Both Ingram and Brazier fished Wappapello this week and recorded a segment for broadcast, Ingram said.
“The video they did there will air on the Outdoor Channel,” Halter noted. “It should reach about 55 million households.
“Part of the program is they come to the high school and speak to students about careers in outdoor recreation,” he adds. “We also have representatives from the Missouri Conservation Department and The United States Forest Service on hand to speak to the students.”
Halter noted 40 or more high school students are interested in the outdoors as a career path.
“Charlie has been a professional fisherman for 34 years or more,” Halter said. “He’s the real deal.
“It’s been very exciting. These are great guys and really down to earth.”
Ingram shared a couple of fishing tales with the crowd.
“I’ve fished with two sitting presidents,” Ingram told the students. “George Bush and his son, George W. Bush.
“There were Secret Service agents everywhere,” he recalled of the trio’s excursion. “On the banks, under the water and in the trees. George got a hook caught in his hand. He said if the Secret Service found out, they’d take him to the hospital. I told him I could have it out in a jiff. There’s a trick to it. I counted to three and popped it out at number two so he wouldn’t stiffen up. Then on my next cast I caught a 12-pounder.”
Also on hand was Trophy Graph Systems representative Johnny Christy, who told the student audience about related careers outside the outdoors box.
“We fabricate for Rose Metal, a sheet metal company,” he said. “They’ve allowed us to do things within the company.
“We’re making housings and brackets for the fishing industry,” he added. “It’s just another avenue, some of these kids who maybe weld might be interested in pursuing.”
Ingram said the video airs five times during the first quarter of the year and five times during the second quarter.
“Yesterday, we fished all day,” Ingram said. “We didn’t catch any of the big fish that I know are out there in Wappapello.
“But we had good numbers and it’ll be a good show. That lake is really a tremendous lake. I was really impressed with it. I hope to come back in the spring after the cold weather.”
Ingram said Friday was about the students.
“We want to tell them to further their education,” he said. “Maybe some will make their living outdoors.
“I’ve been doing this show for 36 years,” he noted. “I learn something new every day.”
More information about the show may be found at the website, https://fishingu.com.