SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – From RVs and tractors to boats and dogs leaping nearly 20 feet into the water, this year’s Sportsman Expo brought a wide range of outdoor activities indoors.
And for some young attendees, it offered a chance to continue a lifelong passion.
For 10-year-old Owen, the highlight of the expo wasn’t the high-tech machinery, the weapons, or even the food; it was the fishing.
“I like going with my friends,” Owen said. “It helps me get out and talk to my friends and just have better relationships with my friends.”
Owen has been fishing for five years, a hobby he picked up by watching YouTube videos and practicing whenever he could.
At the expo’s fishing pond, that experience showed.
The pond was stocked with 150 trout for the weekend. The fish were not biting immediately for many people; however, Owen was not phased and eventually reeled in eight.
The small pond quickly became a gathering point for families. Children lined the edge with rods in hand, while parents and volunteers offered tips and celebrated each catch
None of the children had technology anywhere in sight.
Video Transcript
Augie Walters: From RVs and tractors to dogs leaping 20 feet into the water, this year’s Sportsman Expo takes the outdoor experience to new heights. But for 10-year-old Owen, it’s all about fishing.
Owen: Caught one!
Augie Walters: A passion that he learned through YouTube and has had for five years now also helps him build bonds with those he’s close with.
Owen: It helps me get out and talk to my friends and just have better relationships with my friends. And Owen didn’t just catch one of the 150 trout in the small pond; he really showed off.
Augie Walters: The five years of fishing experience for Owen are clearly paying off, as he was able to catch eight fish on the day. I’m still looking for my first catch, but what I have learned is the importance of being outdoors.
Denise Perrotte: They’re on screens in school, they’re on screens all the time, and this is perfect for them to learn to enjoy the outdoors and nature and learn about everything about it.
Augie Walters: That was Denise Peratt, who highlights the importance of connecting younger generations with nature. She’s also a fishing enthusiast and is in her third year volunteering with a non-profit connected with the pond.
Denise Perrotte: Once the weekend is over and the pond is drained, all the trout go to a wildlife rehabilitator who is a close friend of mine.
Augie Walters: Her hard work in the process of catching and then releasing makes the experience fun and enjoyable for everyone, especially for Owen, because moments like this you just can’t replicate.
Owen: It’s just fun and something to get away from the house and get outdoors and get fresh air for.
Augie Walters: Just look at that smile. Augie Walters, NCC News.
For Denise Perrotte, a volunteer who helps run the pond, those moments are exactly why the program exists.
“They’re on screens in school, they’re on screens all the time, and this is perfect for them to learn to enjoy the outdoors and nature and learn about everything about it,” Perrotte said.
Perrotte, a fishing enthusiast herself, is in her third year volunteering with the nonprofit organization connected to the pond.
She said the goal is not just to teach kids how to fish, but to help them feel comfortable outdoors and excited to return.
Once the expo weekend wraps up, Perrotte said the pond is drained and all of the trout are taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, ensuring none go to waste and the process remains environmentally responsible.
Her behind-the-scenes work helps keep the activity running smoothly, allowing kids like Owen to focus on the fun.
For Owen, the day was about more than the number of fish he caught. It was a break from routine, a chance to be outside and to share something he loves with friends and family.
“It’s just fun and something to get away from the house and get outdoors and get fresh air,” Owen said.