The most recent numbers are in: participation in fishing nationwide has been in decline since at least 2001. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, the latest nationwide fishing survey to date, the number of hunters and anglers fell from 37.8 million in 2001 to 33.9 million in 2006.

To end that trend, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), along with Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's and Dick's Sporting Goods, have teamed up to support Anglers' Legacy. Displays, giveaways, coupons and other marketing materials at these retail stores are expected to encourage hundreds of thousands nationwide to take the Anglers' Legacy Pledge this year.

A variety of other governmental agencies, fishing-related media, celebrities, fishing professionals, fishing organizations and retailers support the mission as program partners.

Anglers' Legacy is part of the takemefishing.org mission to get more folks outdoors, and to get them hooked on fishing. The concept is simple, get out on the water with someone new, someone unfamiliar with angling--that's all it takes.

"Above and beyond sheer numbers, we want to create awareness among anglers about the need to get more people involved," said RBFF Board Member Ken Sarber. "We want to provide opportunities for everyone to experience our heritage of fishing and the outdoors."

Anglers' Legacy program asks avid anglers to sign a pledge on their Web site to take one new person fishing each year. Go to Anglerslegacy.org, and click on "Take The Pledge." So far, Anglers' Legacy has collected more than 22,000 pledges since its inception in May 2006.