It’s good to have heroes; especially for children. Simply put, the term hero means a person who is admired for certain achievements or noble qualities. It’s the persons’ qualities and or achievements about them that people like, want and or strive for. Heroes do give us hope, dreams, help us believe in ourselves, provide examples of success and teach us how to fail with grace.

I had several heroes as a child, and I have been lucky enough to have had personal interactions with a few of them during my life. The one that really has had the most influence over me is bass fishing pro Roland Martin, as I too am an angler. His love and passion for fishing was and is intoxicating. I never did want to be a pro fisherman, but I do really enjoy fishing as a hobby and stress reliever. The things I learned from him as a child and still today, about fishing, I put to use.

During the 1980s his fishing show came on every Sunday right after Atlanta Braves games on Superstation TBS. Unlike other fishing shows of that time period, he would not only share his tips and techniques, but he would tell you the name of the lake he was fishing. That way you could go there and give his advice a try. I remember watching his show and wondering if the same techniques would work at the lake behind my house.

Roland’s famous catch phrase is “Oh, Son!” pronounced with three syllables. He would exclaim that after every big bass he caught and still says it today. It was exciting to watch him catch fish, but as I child I was intimidated by how to hold a fish. I remember watching him over and over grip bass by the mouth, referred to as lipping the fish. I paid attention to his grip and how he did it without getting the hook on his lure caught in his hand. The mental notes I made did help me once I caught my first bass. And I give Roland full credit for teaching me this skill.

I was ten when my father bought me my first fishing outfit; a push button spin cast rod and reel. On TV Roland usually fished from his boat, making very accurate casts under docks and low hanging limbs, and alongside logs. I practiced casting by standing in my red wagon and pretending it was my boat. I would make casts under the plum tree, over to the oak tree, down along the patio until I was confident in my ability to cast. I do not remember the first fish I caught, probably a bluegill, but I know it would not have happened without Roland.

The most epic day I had fishing as a child occurred when I was in sixth grade. After school I grabbed my rod and some rooster tail in-line spinner bait lures and walked down to the lake. I caught a bass on each of my first four casts. I was not the only one to witness this feat, as I noticed a red-tail hawk fly and land in a tree only about 30 yards away from me. Fifth cast, nothing, rats. On my sixth cast, bam, another bass. Upon removing the hook I remembered the hawk and thought what if…. Yes, I did. I walked away from my fishing spot about 60 feet or so and dropped the bass in the grass then I returned to my spot on the lake. As soon as the fish started flopping around the hawk swooped down, snatched it up, and flew off through my backyard. That experience was unique and exciting for me.

Seven years ago I contacted Roland via his website. I wrote him a note letting him know that I learned to fish and especially, how to hold a fish by watching his show as a boy. I told him my red-tail hawk fishing story and that I love how excited he gets after catching a fish. Surprisingly, he contacted me, told me he enjoyed my story and mailed me an autographed photo that reads “Christopher, Bass Wishes, Roland Martin.” A treasured item still to this day.

I want to encourage you to reach out to your childhood heroes and let them know how they influenced or inspired you and your life. I can’t promise they will respond to you, but you won’t know unless you try. You may get surprised.

Christopher W.R. Thurman originally wrote this on Dec. 1, 2017 and asked to share it again with our readers.