Through the Lens

Team Fat Boyz

Mon, January 16, 2012

Team Fat BoyZ- Catfishers With a Cause visiting with me at the Gateway Let’s Go Fishing Show

I first became acquainted with Team Fat Boyz through their Facebook Page, from there I was led to their web site and their You Tube channel.
These are no ordinary catfishes, although I think it’s safe to say they live breathe and eat fishing – especially catfishing.
As their website says,” If You Ain’t Fishin’  - You Ain’t Livin”

Team Fat Boyz was the brain child of Paul Ragsdale and Curtis Grant both avid fishermen in Southwestern Illinois. Paul had the concept of helping get kids out to fish that may not have the opportunity otherwise. As things progressed other options crossed Paul’s mind such as the elderly in nursing homes. Paul was thinking of the numbers of elderly and disabled that could still get around, but could not go fishing because of being in skilled care or assisted living facility. Paul’s initial concept was simple – contact local nursing home’s activity directors and make the offer.  Since it is not uncommon for nursing homes to take residents on short trips, Ragsdale thought a trip to local lake or fishing spot could be achievable. The role of Team Fat Boyz, would be that to set up, bait hooks, remove fish, even as much as cast for those who could no longer physically cast a line.  Whatever the folks needed to help them enjoy a great day out and fishing.

“Can you imagine? “ Ragsdale said softly to me while discussing the Operation Senior Program, “All your life you’ve fished – then suddenly one day, no more,  in a nursing home, no chance to enjoy the outdoors and fishing anymore?”  I couldn’t imagine. I didn’t want to imagine.  Frankly, after my husband’s multiple heart attacks several years ago, fishing was the only activity he could do, and I firmly believe those days on the local water saved his life and his health. On days when my MS prevents from doing lots of walking, I can always rest in chair and set a couple of tight lines at our local lake. No, I couldn’t imagine a life without fishing.

It’s no secret that there are many programs for getting youth involved in the outdoors, but so often we tend to forget our elders, those who were often responsible for starting and nurturing our interests in the outdoors and fishing.
I’ll be honest – the Operation Senior Fishing Program was what really drew me to Team Fat Boyz, of course, my love of catfishing played a large part as well.

Not only does Team Fat Boyz sponsor the Operation Senior Fishing Program, they also have a program for youngsters as well. Not content to stop there, their website and you tube channel are chock full of great information about fishing , especially catfishing. A particularly enjoyable feature is the ability to “follow”  Team Fat Boyz on the water.

Although the day I had a chance to catch up with the fellows at Baldwin Lake recently,started out a beautiful, calm, chilly morning, by nightfall, anyone who followed them on YouTube or Facebook was introduced to how quickly Baldwin Lake can go from Calm to chaotic.  Below is a sample of one of their short videos.

My hat is tipped to Team Fat Boyz and their willingness to reach out to those who may not have any other opportunity to fish. So during tthese icky winter days while you are longing for a good catfshing trip- hop over to Team Fat Boyz for a catfishing fix! You won’t be sorry!

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