Rick Willman Junior Members page

Welcome to the Rick Willman Juniors members page

The Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen, Inc, at the January General meeting, voted unanimously to change the name of the Junior Members to the Rick Willman Juniors of the DMS.  Rick's passion was fishing and getting young people invovled in activities.  For 5 years, Rick sponsored the Junior Division of the Annual DMS Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament.  In further supporting the Youth Divison in the Tournament, Rick gave each youth entrant a rod and reel, so that every child that fished out Tournament had a rod and reel they could call their own.  DMS believes that naming the Youth Division of DMS the Rick Willman Juniors is a fitting honor for all the Rick Willman did for the young anglers of DMS and everywhere.

Junior Members write to us

The following is from Joni Cahall, written when DMS started the Juunior Members.  Joni is now 18 and is a full member of DMS.  She is the first Junior Member to do this.  Congratulations, Joni!

Fishing is a great way to get away from my normal hectic life. Fishing is a way to relax my nerves because when fishing you are on the beach and that is an amazing thing. When on the beach you can hear the rumbling of the salty ocean, the birds calling their unique chirp, the fine grain sand between your bare feet, the sunny hot sun on your body, the salty damp air touching you skin.

There is nothing else to compare this experience of the beach to expect being on the beach and fishing! Fishing is when you are determined to catch a bigger fish than your father. In most cases it doesn’t always end up like that, but when fishing it helps me to keep goals and make higher and bigger goals for the next fishing trip. But one of theses times I will catch the fish to brag about! Fishing is one of those things that it could never get to be old it can only get newer.

This is because you always meet new and nice people on the beach who are just dying to share and tell their stories of their tricks and experiences. So you always learn new and more stories through the trill of fishing!

P.S.

If you fish keep fishing, show non-fishers how to fish - but better yet just enjoy the sport of fishing!

Thanks to junior member Joni Cahall

Another commentary by junior member Destiny Morton.

Thanks Destiny

                           Why I Love To Fish! 

            Fishing has played a major role in my life. Fishing has taught me the rewards of persistence and not to get my expectations too high. Learning from my dad, I have also learned that being prepared when fishing is the key. Just these little things will better prepare me for life in my future. 

            I have been fishing since I was about 3 years old, and ever since then I have been hooked on fishing.  I’m surprised that I wasn’t born with a  rod in my hand. My dad and I are very competitive and we always have to measure our fish to make sure who’s is bigger. I really like spending quality time with my mom and dad. 

            I have watched my dad fight for our fishing rights for many years and every year I see the beaches that I love shrink for the fishermen from North Carolina to Delaware. This makes me sad, but gives me a better appreciation for what we have now. I also want to help in the fight. I wish more kids felt the way I do. 

            I will always cherish the times we have on the beach together as a family. From catching Mullet in the surf to getting a trophy in the DMS Interclub Tournament, these things will be with me all of my life. 

            Nothing in the world compares to hearing a reel scream when a big fish is taking line. The hook set on that fish is like nothing else. Fighting a monster, it taking line and thrashing in the water is exciting. Finally landing a beautiful fish in the suds is almost exhilarating. Then comes the release of the fish that graced me with it presence, is a memory of a lifetime. 

            So many emotions, so many sights to see on the beach, it is one of the most special places for me. One day, I hope to take my kids and my grand kids and great grand kids to enjoy the same beaches I have.