Growing up, I wasn’t one of the lucky kids whose dad taught them how to fish. My dad was a great father, but he was always at work and never really had time for hobbies. As a kid, I thought fishing was just something old men did to get away from their wives for the day. I pictured guys in red flannels on a boat or pier, just drinking with their buddies. Fishing can be those things—but it’s also so much more. It’s an art, in a way.
So when Daniel invited me to go fishing, I remember thinking, Man, this is going to be a boring day. But he seemed excited, so why not go? That first trip involved a lot of learning. I had no idea how much actually went into fishing. Daniel was incredibly patient, showing me how to cast and teaching me the few knots he knew. I wish I could say we got into some reds or specks, but unfortunately, I didn’t catch a single fish. Even though I caught nothing, I was the one who got hooked.
Honestly, I don’t know exactly what it was that hooked me—maybe the peacefulness of being on the water or the camaraderie of being out there with friends. Over the past year, I’ve probably fished more than most people do in their entire lives. I’m still not a great fisherman, but I’m definitely better than I was before. Daniel and I have traveled all along the Texas coast, fishing different spots, and I’ve been lucky enough to catch just about every game fish. I even landed my personal best speckled trout at 18 inches.
There’s still so much I have to learn. I want to be able to consistently catch fish with lures, try topwaters, and experiment with different swimbaits. I’m beyond grateful to Daniel for being a great mentor in my life and for starting me on this wild ride—from showing me the joy of fishing to having the idea to film everything and upload it to YouTube. I can see the evolution of my fishing life, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself becoming a YouTuber.
I’m also incredibly grateful to the VAST ROAM community for always showing support. I receive heartfelt messages all the time about how our videos help people through tough times or remind them of moments they shared with their families. I can honestly say that fishing has changed my life for the better, and as long as I can, I’ll be out on the water—whether I catch fish or not.