Life’s twists and turns often point us toward purposes that we recognize only after we’re chin deep in achieving them.

For outdoor writer Dan Armitage of Worthington, a book royalties check written to his father more than 60 years ago funded the foundation of his angling interest and his mission as a fishing educator.

Armitage has been working for decades as a writer of fishing and hunting articles, hosted his own long-running syndicated radio show and is the presenter of his “Kids Fishing Fun” seminars at winter outdoor sports shows from Denver to New York.

He now shares his lifetime of knowledge in his newly released book “Let’s Learn to Fish,” (Storey Publishing).

His book is the latest accomplishment of an angler whose own interest in fishing was spawned when he was a child. His interest has flourished over the decades thanks to his passion for the sport and his ability to teach. Why is he so keen on introducing children to fishing?

“Growing up as one of six kids, fishing for me was a way to spend time with my father,” Armitage said. “He was a professor at Ohio State University and wrote a book about teaching Spanish that became the primary book on that topic. When he got his first royalty check, he bought the biggest aluminum boat he could find.

“Dad loaded up the whole family to go fishing at Hoover Reservoir (in Columbus). By the second summer, I was the only one still interested. My siblings today, with a little jealousy, say, ‘Dan, at least you got to spend time with Dad.’ When we were fishing, Dad and I didn’t talk about deep things. We talked about getting the crappies to hit or when to eat lunch or when to go home. It was just us and it was great.”

Like many youngsters, Dan and his friends played competitive sports.

“We loved that, but for me, with fishing, nobody had to lose. If you were fortunate, you got to battle a fish. That’s something important. Now all my friends are down at the OSU Horseshoe sitting on the sidelines. To me, with fishing, I’m still in the game.”

Sharing his pure love for outdoors sports is why he is devoted to teaching youngsters.

“Fishing means more to me the older I get. I want kids to get to know that, to get that opportunity. I always tell kids at the outdoor shows, ‘You are the luckiest kids. You’ve got an adult willing to share time to get you here and get you out on the water.”

In his seminars and his new book, Armitage delivers the background and the basics along with helpful encouragement.

“Fishing teaches you patience. It’s the opposite of turning a device on. You’ve got to earn it.”

His book is a must-read for adults who want to get their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends or neighbors started on their own lifetime of fishing. At the start of the book, he sets an optimistic tone, “You can catch fish just about any place there is water. One of the best things about fishing is figuring out how to fool those fish into biting your bait.”

Armitage provides encouragement on every page.

“One of my favorite things about fishing is that you never outgrow it. I’ve been fishing for more than 60 years and I’m still learning new things about how and where to catch fish. It’s just as fun now as it was when I was your age. … Maybe the best thing about fishing, though, is the places you can visit to enjoy it. Lakes, streams, and other bodies of water are often located in beautiful surroundings. Even when fishing in a city, you’ll have a chance to watch wildlife above and below the water’s surface and to enjoy the sounds and scents of nature.”

Armitage’s book is clearly written, well organized and delightfully illustrated. Young and old can breeze through the book and learn the 60-plus years of experience Armitage has invested. Chapter titles tell it all: “The Basics of Tackle,” “Let’s Practice Rigging and Casting,” “All about Bait,” “Time to Go Fishing” and “How to Think Like a Fish.”

He had a ton of fun producing “Let’s Learn to Fish,” which comes easily with his twinkling Irish leprechaun heritage. “I enjoy doing a couple of tricks to get them interested at the seminars. I use green stuff (Neon Worm Glo) to dye earthworms bright green. The kids love it, but some of the moms get freaked out.”

His authority status extends beyond sheer decades of experience. He has served as the Ohio state coordinator for the Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs program, is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and a Safe Boating Communicator of the Year award winner from the National Safe Boating Council. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from OSU.

Folks interested in attending one of Armitage’s Kids Fishing Fun seminars can catch him at the Akron-Canton Sportsman Show at MAPS Museum March 23 and 24. His seminars are scheduled around noon both days.

Jack Wollitz is the author of “The Common Angler,” a book featuring stories about experiences that help define the “why” behind anglers’ passion for fishing. Email Jack at jackbbaass@gmail.com.