WEST FARGO – When I see kids balancing a rod and tackle box while riding a bike to a nearby river or fishing hole, I pause and smile. Years ago, I did that. So did my son. And it’s reassuring to know, with all the distractions and noise in this digital age, a remnant remains drawn to a worm, a hook, friends and fishing. Generations before me grew up with the same and hopefully so will many more.

Before the age of two-lane concrete boat ramps, steel fishing piers and state-of-the-art fish cleaning stations, a Sunday fishing trip was sliding down muddy banks of the river, spinning rear-wheel-drive sedan tires on the metal ramp planks and filleting fish on an old newspaper.

Just like indoor plumbing, electricity and air conditioning, knowing what we didn’t have makes us appreciate what we s

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