This St. John's teen shows how life lessons can be learned in the great outdoors

"Taking one kid hunting and fishing won't change the world, but it will change the world for one kid." 

I don't recall exactly where I read this simple, yet powerful, statement many years back, but it stuck in my memory banks as much as my own name — and it's probably why I've always tried to encourage families who haven't done so, to get out and experience the countless benefits of our great outdoors.

Kids, of course, were my primary focus, particularly in recent years with so many "other things" they could get involved with.

When I noticed a touching Facebook post by 18-year-old Kaden Sears of Shea Heights in St. John's a few months back, I thought, "what a wonderful gesture."

With the song Dance Under Stars by Logan Mac in the background, Kaden's post was a collage of photos and videos of various fishing and hunting trips with his father, Frank Sears.

Kaden's title to the video is "My Drug of Choice."

Brilliant.

When I first contacted Frank about writing a short feature on his son's gesture, I mentioned how much it moved me, "and I barely know you guys, so I can only imagine what it did for you."

"Oh, it tugged at the heart strings alright," he replied, adding, "My wife and I are blessed that our boys love the outdoors like I do because a lot of things kids are getting into these days are scary. Outdoors never steered me wrong and I hope it continues on in our sons."

For those who haven't seen the post, I've asked Kaden and Frank to pin it at the top of their Facebook pages for a few days to make it easier for people to find.

So I asked Kaden why he put this video together.

"It was kind of a thank-you to my father for teaching me everything about both hunting and fishing, and for taking me on all those outdoor adventures," he said. "I owe all my love of the outdoors to him."

Noting that he's "seen or heard about about every drug you could imagine," Kaden said "naming the video 'My Drug of Choice' was a way of letting mom and dad know they don't have to worry about me and drugs."

So, what does Kaden enjoy about the outdoors in general?

"I just find it so relaxing, being in the woods with my dad, brother and friends."

And his favourite activity?

"Nothing beats salmon fishing."

"Kaden has been going salmon fishing with me since he was five years old … on the Exploits," Frank said. "He would rather catch and release now more than anything, even with trout."

Kaden was 14 year old when he went on his first "men's" salmon fishing trip to the Northern Peninsula with Frank and his buddies. Dad recalls setting up his son's fly fishing rod and reel, holding his hand crossing rivers to get to a good run, then staying "within arm's length," just in case.

With each new year, Kaden progressed as an angler, fished more on his own and even helped other anglers tail or net their salmon. He actually hooked 16 grilse his second year fishing, landed and released seven of them and tagged just one for his grandmother.

"He's just like one of the boys now," Frank said proudly. "He is holding his own for numbers of hook-ups and he's a real pleasure to watch fishing."

So what happens during the salmon fishing and rabbit hunting off-seasons?

"All year long there is something to be doing in the outdoors," Frank replied. "We also fish for sea trout, go ice fishing, moose hunting. … Now Kaden has a few buddies that are into it as well and he is trying coyote hunting, salt water bird hunting, partridge and duck hunting. I'm glad that he has buddies that share the same interests."

While he doesn't have quite the same passion as his older brother, 16-year-old Koby Sears also enjoys the outdoors and spends a fair bit of time there with his dad and Kaden, although "Koby mostly goes for the grub and boil-up," dad said with a chuckle, adding, "he likes trouting and rabbit hunting, and both boys are putting in for their first moose licence this year."

"I thank God every night that they love the great outdoors and everything it has to offer," Frank said. "It's a great feeling."

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