Bass Pro Shops donates fishing equipment to Pikes Peak Region Boy Scouts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Bass Pro Shops is kicking off its "Gone Fishing" initiative to challenge families to get outdoors more.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are donating more than 40,000 rods and reels to nonprofit organizations that help kids from all backgrounds connect to the great outdoors.

Here in Colorado Springs, Bass Pro Shops donated 100 fishing rods and reels to the Boy Scouts Pikes Peak Region. On Thursday morning, scouts got to come out, pick out their rods, and fish in the pond.

"It teaches the boys patience too, it teaches them how to constantly do something over and over again and try for a specific result," said Jason Curtis, the Scout Master for Troop 62.

Over the next two weekends, Bass Pro Shops will keep their pond stocked for kids to come out and learn how to fish.

"Our goal is to get as many people outdoors as possible and a lot of people in Colorado even with as much water that we have have never caught a fish before or enjoyed going out on a fishing excursion," said Chris Koeniger the
general manager of Bass Pro Shops.

During the family-friendly Gone Fishing events taking place over the next two weekends (June 12-13 and 19-20), kids of all ages are invited to catch their first fish with free catch-and-release ponds, take home a “First Fish” certificate and beginner’s guides, and participate in free seminars, free crafts and free photo downloads.