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An east Auckland business is working to inspire local youngsters to put down their device, get outside, and pick up a fishing rod.
Botany Hunting and Fishing is receiving donated used fishing gear from people who no longer need it.
The store spruces up the gear to then distribute to keen local youngsters aged 12 and under for free as part of its ‘Fish for Everyone’ initiative.
“The idea behind it is we, as fishermen, accumulate gear over the years and end up with a pile of stuff in the corner of our shed doing nothing,” the store’s fishing manager Zac Andrews says.
“Instead of it sitting there collecting dust, it would be really good to get it into the hands of kids, especially those who would love to get into it but can’t quite muster it.
“For us it’s about playing the middleman and letting people drop off their used gear so we can pass it on to kids to get them outside fishing, which beats sitting in front of a screen.”
Andrews says the store has been collecting fishing rods and reels as well as some tackle.
“We’ve collected a few from some of our suppliers who have donated it.
“There’s a whole pile from customers and staff and it’s just to give kids the gear to use to go fishing.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s old as long as it’s in a functional sort of state.
“We can do little guide repairs on rods to get them back up to scratch.”
The store’s marketing manager, James Speirs, says several other local businesses, including Top Catch at Half Moon Bay Marina and Big Fish, have “jumped on board” to collect donated used gear.
“We’re looking at doing a little fishing event and hopefully we can get that right for the start of the next school holidays.
“Somewhere local where the kids can come along and those ones who don’t have the gear, we’ll have gear for them.
“Depending on how much we have we will be able to offer them some gear to use on the day and then take with them.”
Once the store is ready to start distributing the fishing gear, youngsters will be able to collect it from Botany Hunting and Fishing, located in Te Koha Road.
People can keep an eye on its Facebook page for an announcement.
In the meantime, people are also welcome to drop off unwanted fishing gear at the store.
“The store is open seven days a week and there’s always someone here who can accept it,” Speirs says.
“It’s just a case of making sure it’s functional and then we’ll pass it on to them.
“We’ll probably also throw in a little bit of tackle from the store to make sure they can get themselves up and running.
“It’s much better than sitting at home on a device, to get them into the outdoors and bring that love of fishing that so many of us have to the next generation.”
