By GINNIE GRAHAM News Columnist on Feb 24, 2013, at 6:23 PM Updated on 2/24 at 6:23 PM
GINNIE GRAHAM
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My kids today learned anglers are nice guys, fishing can be a big-time sport and the artist famous for Bass Pro Shop's covers is super cool.
Oh, and girls can handle a rod and reel just fine, thank you.
Four hours of walking the halls of the Tulsa Convention Center was a highlight of my kids Sunday, even if exhausting for me.
One of the first booths we stopped by was that of artist Al Agnew, whose work we have seen for years.
A native of Missouri and an avid fisherman, Agnew's art is best known through the more than 75 covers of the Bass Pro Shop catalogues.
He has a special eye for fish, creating detailed images of different species in various stages of action.
His realistic perspectives of wildlife have graced the pages and covers of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Sporting Classics and Fish and Game and several others.
Agnew stood at his booth, chatting up passersby and signing autographs.
My 9-year-old son was drawn there, unbelieving the images so well-known to him were made by the man standing in front of him.
A consistent source of joy for my boy has been in sketching, and he was suddenly struck with shyness.
Agnew then gave my son and 5-year-old daughter free, signed hats.
My son thought he hit the lottery.
When told about my son's budding dreams of being artist, a person in Agnew's booth overhead and said, "Well, you just keep drawing and stay at it."
It was such an uplifting moment.
The rest of the halls were packed with all things little boys love.
So used to seeing high-caliber sportsmen misbehave, with any number of pro football and basketball stars coming to mind, it was nice seeing anglers mingle.
They were approachable, open with conversation and happy to give signatures to kids.
Everything about them said good sportsmanship.
It made for a nice vibe.
Though dominated by boys, my daughter was right there in the mix.
At the Toyota Thunder pull, she threw her 33-pound body with all her might to make it move.
It could have been her petite form or pink outfit from head to toe, but a group of people cheered her on.
She earned a little flashlight for the effort.
Girls were also encouraged at the handful of casting exhibits, where she was given lures and pin.
At one, she was the lone child hitting the target, much the chagrin of some nearby older boys.
Another nice uplifting moment.
Kids were fascinated by the items on display, from the top-outfitted bass boats to the NASA-like clothing gear.
It was certainly different from our fishing ventures of sitting by a lake's side with a simple pole and minnows.
Walking out to close out the day, the kids found one more must-have freebie item, which came from Toyota.
Fish flip-flops.
Or, fish-flops, as my daughter calls them.
She immediately put them on with a promise those will be her "fishing shoes" this summer.
After this Bassmasters event, I wouldn't be surprised if more little boys and girls decided to pick up a fishing pole and sharpen their skills.
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