I am not a fishing person. Let’s establish that right away. My son comes from a family of fishermen. His grandfather fishes. His uncle’s fish. My husband fishes some.
Me?
I like beaches.
I like lakes.
I like sitting near water.
I do not like touching worms.
I do not like touching fish.
And I definitely do not understand why anyone willingly wakes up early to stand quietly next to water. So naturally, my son recently discovered fishing. Because that’s how parenting works. The things you know absolutely nothing about become your child’s newest obsession.
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It Started With a Christmas Gift
For Christmas, my son got a beginner fishing kit. The idea was simple enough. Whenever we traveled and spent time with family, he’d have his own little setup so he could fish with his dad, grandfather, and uncles. Mostly, I think everyone pictured some heartwarming family moments. Maybe a few pictures. Maybe a fish. Maybe fifteen minutes of fishing before he got distracted. As it turns out, that last one was pretty accurate.
The First Fishing Trip
The first time we tried fishing was during a beach trip. Which, in hindsight, was probably asking a lot. Because when you’re five years old and standing near a beach, approximately 7,000 more interesting things are happening than fishing. There was sand. There were waves. There were birds. There were random sticks. There was literally everything. Fishing was competing with some pretty strong distractions.
He’d cast a line. Watch it for about twenty seconds. Then suddenly remember another adventure he needed to go on. The fishing lasted. The attention span did not. And honestly? That felt about right.
The Lake Trip Changed Everything
A few months later, we took a trip to a lake. And that’s when fishing suddenly became serious. Every morning, the boys headed down to the dock (even in the pouring rain). Grandpa. Dad. Uncles. And now, one very excited five-year-old. There was something about standing on that dock that felt different. No beach distractions. No waves. Just water, fishing rods, and a group of guys who were completely happy standing around talking and waiting for fish. A concept I still don’t fully understand. But apparently that’s part of the appeal.
The Life Jacket Negotiations
One thing I was pleasantly surprised about? The life jacket. He wore it without complaint. Actually, he was proud of it. At one point someone asked him why he was wearing it. Without missing a beat he said: “In case I fall in.” Fair point. Hard to argue with that logic. Honestly, he was probably the most responsible person on the dock.
The Worm Situation
Now let’s talk about the worms. Because this is where I learned that my son and I are very different people. The live bait arrived. Everyone gathered around. And instead of reacting the way I did, which was somewhere between mild horror and complete disgust, he was fascinated. Absolutely fascinated. He wanted to hold them. Look at them. Talk about them. Learn about them.
Meanwhile I was standing several feet away thinking: No thank you. You enjoy your worms. I will enjoy observing from a safe distance. I genuinely don’t understand how worms became the least concerning part of putting sharp hooks near children. Can we discuss that for a second? Why are we handing tiny humans fishing hooks and collectively agreeing this is normal?
Is This How Fishing Works?
The funniest part was watching him actually fish.
Or what he considered fishing.
He would cast the line out.
Wait approximately three seconds.
Then reel it back in.
Cast again.
Reel it back in.
Cast again.
Reel it back in.
Over and over.
I have absolutely no idea if that’s how fishing works.
I’m pretty sure it isn’t.
But he seemed happy.
And nobody corrected him.
So maybe there are different strategies.
Or maybe everyone was just enjoying the show.
Then It Happened
He caught a fish.
One fish.
A single fish.
And just like that…
He became a fisherman.
Not someone who had caught a fish.
A fisherman.
There is a difference.
At least according to him.
The confidence level immediately increased by 400%.
Suddenly he had experience.
Knowledge.
Opinions.
Stories.
And honestly, I loved every second of it.
The Fish Were Exactly As Gross As I Expected
The fish, however, were exactly what I feared.
Slimy.
Floppy.
Wiggly.
Everything I dislike. Every time someone caught one, I instinctively took a small step backward. Yet somehow my son was thrilled. Not just when he caught a fish. Every time anyone caught a fish. Grandpa caught one? Amazing.
Dad caught one? Incredible.
An uncle caught one? Best thing he’s ever seen.
His excitement never faded. Every fish was treated like a world record catch. And watching that kind of joy is hard not to love.
What I Learned About Fishing
The funny thing is, I don’t think fishing was ever really about the fish. At least not for him. It was about being part of something. Standing on the dock with the boys. Learning what they know. Doing what they do. Telling stories. Sharing snacks. Watching the water. And every once in a while, catching a fish. Those are the moments I think he’ll remember. Not how many fish he caught. Not how big they were. Just that he got to be there.
Apparently We Have a Fisherman Now
Since that trip, fishing has come up regularly. He’s already planning future fishing adventures. Already talking about what he’ll catch next. Already explaining fishing techniques to people. Based on approximately one fish’s worth of experience. Which honestly feels very on brand for a five-year-old. And while I still have absolutely no interest in touching worms or fish, I have to admit:
Watching him discover something new has been pretty great.
Even if it means I’m now raising a fisherman.
Tell Me I’m Not Alone
What hobby or sport did your child suddenly become obsessed with that you knew absolutely nothing about?
Because I started this parenting journey knowing nothing about hockey.
Now we’re adding fishing to the list.