Many of our local streams are stocked with trout this time of year. Our state’s game and fish commission will do this several times in the next few months. It makes for some early, easy, and fun fishing. And it’s a great time to take a young person.

I almost let the cold weather keep me from going last Saturday. The temperatures were in the low twenties and my body was comfortable sitting lazily in the seventies, but I decided to make my way, with a friend, to a couple of these creeks. The weather warmed up like a spring day, and it turned out to be one of the nicest days we had had in a while.

Most of the time I see very few people taking advantage of this late winter opportunity, but today was different. Several fishermen had made their way to these little spots to get in on the first stocking of the year.

It was also good to see some of our younger generation there as well. There’s nothing like watching one of these up and coming fishermen hook a fish that likes to fight, as trout do. I’m glad there are occasions like this where the fishing is not too difficult. This will only serve to bring more young men and women to this wonderful way of life. I’m glad our fish and game commissions put some things on the bottom shelf within reach of everybody.

I also like preachers that put things on the bottom shelf as well. These are the ones that take Jesus’ approach. He simply used what the people were familiar with and applied it to the kingdom of God. His subject matter included things like farmers, figs, and fishing. He walked where they walked, dressed as they dressed, and ate where they ate. He was even criticized by the “religious” crowd for eating with (above all people,) “sinners!”

His words were within reach of the doctor and the prostitute. He was not aloof, arrogant, or abrasive to those who sincerely sought Him. He was humble and kind, and yet held to the unchangeable Truth.

Maybe we need to take a page from our local wildlife authorities when it comes to the gospel. Perhaps if we take the truth, put it in a place where folks like to come, let them know it will be there and that it will be easy to catch; they might just show up, and they might even bring somebody with them.

Outdoor Truths is written by Gary Miller. He can be reached via e-mail at gary@outdoortruths.org.