Fishing Family Starts A Lifelong Dream
by Denise Wright
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor activities have increased across New York State, and Rensselaer County has seen the same dramatic increase. Ice fishing is one of those activities, and Averill Park resident Wayne Roberts and his wife Nicole decided to follow a lifelong dream of owning a bait and tackle shop. The R&R Bait Shop on Burden Lake Road in Averill Park has seen a definite increase in bait and tackle sales during this winter season.
R&R Bait Shop opened in November of 2020 and is one of the few bait shops in Rensselaer county with fully certified bait and has tackle, sleds, and other equipment that fishing enthusiasts need. The all-season shop sells live bait from night crawlers and crawfish to live minnows based on season and availability seven days a week. Roberts, who comes from a long family line of fishing, has now passed his love on to his seven children, especially Bianca, age 8; Landen, age 14; and Sean, age 17; who assist him in the family business. “It’s in my blood,” Roberts commented. The bait shop’s name was a tribute to his late grandfather’s ice fishing camp. According to Roberts, “Fishing is a family activity; it’s all about the family and the kids.”
Running a bait shop has been a commitment that takes time. It has also been quite a learning experience for Roberts. While he enjoys his lifetime love of fishing, the COVID pandemic has made it increasingly difficult to get inventory. Still, he is receiving new bait weekly. He advises people to take care of their bait by not putting it indoors near heat. “Never store your bait in your house,” Roberts suggests. Bait should be stored in a cold area where it won’t freeze.
Roberts stresses that getting young people involved and educated in this sport appropriately enables people to enjoy fishing safely. Creating a website (rrbaitshop.com) and a Facebook page has helped Roberts promote fishing-related activities and ice fishing updates for the sport. On February 20, R&R Bait Shop sponsored a fishing derby with approximately 50 participants. The Capital District Sportsman School, which hopes to establish a school locally to hold outdoor sportsman classes and activities, will be receiving some of the proceeds from the derby.”