My grandfather was my biggest influence... he liked to hunt rabbits more than anything, but he liked to fish too. As a teenager, I didn't fish much, was more into the rabbit hunts... then moved to SE Alaska and my roommate up there was a big fly fisherman, so we'd hit those salmon runs in the fall, and halibut too from a boat when I wasn't commercial fishing or goin' to school. Then moved back to KY and didn't fish much at all till last year, I bought a baitcaster and started watching shows and trying to get out as much as possible. My kids like to go too, so I take them when I can. So in all honesty, I'm pretty green - but determined I tell ya! Heck, I haven't bought all this stuff for nothin'!!! LOL!