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In this episode, we sit down with Ray Ruiz, founder and executive director of Baztec, an organization dedicated to introducing fishing and outdoor recreation to underserved communities in Minnesota. Ray shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming a passionate angler and educator. He discusses the importance of family-centric approaches to outdoor recreation, the challenges of engaging diverse communities, and his vision for creating high school bass fishing teams. Ray emphasizes the value of building trust and getting uncomfortable when working with new communities. He also highlights the personal rewards of passing down fishing knowledge through generations and the potential for outdoor recreation to open up new career paths for youth. Throughout the conversation, Ray's enthusiasm for fishing and commitment to community service shines through, offering inspiration for listeners to get involved in outdoor activities and share their passion with others.

Credits:
Guest: Ray Ruiz, Founder and Executive Director of Baztec
Hosts: Lauren Bennett McGinty and Sarah Strommen
Intrepid Field Correspondent/Producer: Randolph Briley
Original Music by: Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

Important Links:

• Baztec
• Learn to Fish - MN DNR
• Fishing - Explore Minnesota
• Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership
• Minnesota Junior BASS Nation