Passing It On: A Fishing Tradition That Runs Deeper Than Water

Not every inheritance comes with paperwork. Some come in a tackle box.
And some come rod in hand, beside the water. For me, it began with my dad.

He was a high school wood and metal shop teacher who could square up a board, sharpen a chisel, and teach a kid how to build something that would last.  Come summer, he was happy to put down the lesson plans and head for high mountain lakes in the Pacific Northwest. And I got to go along.

A Bobber, a Fly, and Something More

My dad didn’t fish with fancy gear or fussy technique. He handed me a spinning rod with a Mitchell 300 reel, rigged with a bobber and fly—simple, effective, and easy to learn.

We’d head out early, pump up the rubber rafts, and cast. Then began the endless days of slow retrieve and casting again. And again. Throughout the morning, taking time off in the afternoon, and back on the water all evening. The rhythm broken only occasionally with the splash of a fish taking the fly. He showed me where to cast, how to wait, when to pay attention, and when to let the world just be.

It wasn’t just about the fish. It was about being outside and being together.
It was about learning to love still water and slow days on remote lakes.

Fishing Isn’t Just Taught. It’s Shared.

Looking back, I realize that he passed down not only the mechanics of fishing, but the deeper stuff: patience, appreciation, and the idea that some things are better when you take your time. You don’t need perfect technique to give someone the gift of fishing. You just need to show up and make room for wonder.

It’s the memories. The rituals. The way it feels to be together, doing something simple that makes life more complete. A tradition built one cast, one conversation, and one quiet morning at a time.

Cast It Forward

If you have someone to fish with this summer, take them.

Whether you’re teaching a child, remembering a parent, or simply honoring the time you’ve been given—there’s no better place to do it than beside the water.

So cast it forward.