Making Memories: How My Dad Ignited My Love of Adventure
For many people, their first experience with the outdoors was shared with them by a friend or a family member. When that first seed is planted, what might have started as a way to kill time or fill up a weekend can turn into a hobby, a driving passion, or even a family legacy.
This is the story that so many of us share. The connections forged through family fishing trips are deep and enduring, creating a legacy that transcends generations. I recently met a young man named Ford who shared his experience getting into the outdoors. As an 18-year-old, Ford is at that unique tipping point between having grown up learning from his family, and setting out on his own. We are excited to share his story and, hopefully, inspire some of you to share your passion the next time you head out.
Intro: Ford, out of Louisville, KY, is a passionate young outdoorsman. He just graduated from high school and is off to study at the University of Colorado Boulder this fall.
Q: Let’s start off with an easy one. What was your first fish on the fly?
Ford: My first fly fishing trip was up in the Bighorn Mountains with my dad. He knew a bunch of little creeks up there with small trout. I was just learning to cast so I got stuck in the trees a bunch and hooked my dad once or twice. But when I finally got it in the water I caught my first rainbow trout!
Q: What was that initial spark that got you interested in the outdoors?
Ford: When I was a kid, I watched my dad go out on these awesome outdoor adventures. I saw pictures of him and my grandfather on awesome trips. I remember seeing pictures of him with an elk and thinking, “wow that is a huge deer!” I saw the excitement and passion he had for the outdoors, and from a young age I admired that and wanted to be a part of it.
Q: What was your first big outdoor experience?
Ford: I was always asking to go with him. When I was old enough he took me deer hunting. I was only 7 and I have no idea how I was even big enough to hold a gun, but dad helped me out. On that trip I shot my first buck, a 6 pointer. I was wearing my hunter orange beanie, and it is now my lucky hat. I let my brother wear it for his first hunt and he got a deer too, so it seems like it worked!
Q: What stands out in your mind about that experience?
Ford: We were sitting up in a tripod on the family farm. I was trying to learn and suck everything in, believing everything my dad was telling me. It was cool because his dad taught him the same way and now he was passing that to me. When that deer walked out, I was excited and scared. But after I shot it and we went and got it, I felt so different. My dad was excited and proud of me, which made me feel proud of myself and excited to be there with him. This was my first experience and it was a rush and thrilling, but he made sure to teach me about the appreciation and respect for the animals you are hunting.
Q: You’ve mentioned your dad a lot. How did he get into the outdoors?
Ford: His dad introduced him to it, much the same way he introduced me. When my grandfather took my dad hunting for the first time, they were supposed to shoot a doe. But my grandfather’s eyes are bad and my dad’s first deer was a button buck.
Q: Do you get to go out with your grandfather?
Ford: My dad, my grandfather and I still get out around town and hit bass. Always fun having three generations out together and hearing the same stories over and over again.
Q: So you got into all this as a kid, and you have talked about your family a lot. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get their kids into fishing?
Ford: Be patient, give them encouragement, and definitely take a lot of photos. It’s always fun to look back at those photos as you get older. Also, I would say go spin fishing first, but you can still learn fly at a young age with a lot of patience. All ages can do it.
My grandmother went out when she was 75 years old. It’s something everyone can enjoy. It’s really challenging but that’s what makes it really rewarding. When you fail for 2 hours and finally catch a fish it makes it that much more rewarding.
Even if you aren’t fishing, its nice to be out in the wild, relaxing, hopping in the water, and seeing the wildlife. I can’t wait to take my kids out fishing someday.
Also, the biggest piece of advice is, get a guide. Fishing guides love teaching people, they are good with kids, and then everyone can have a good time. It’s really helpful because you are more likely to catch fish and keep your kids engaged. We always hire a fishing guide when we go out. They can keep you from having a frustrating day.
Q: Where did you go from there?
Ford: Fishing and hunting really became a passion. I am always looking for opportunities to get out and have an adventure.
Q: Ok, let’s do some fun questions. What do you prefer, freshwater or saltwater fishing and why?
Ford: Freshwater. There is just something more nostalgic about it. Growing up fishing out here in KY, with my dad, for bass, and then as I got older trout fishing, my dad teaching me the ropes and how to fish, he always knows the best way. Going back to those places always gives me the nostalgic feeling of him teaching me the first time. Now I get to teach my little brother on those same trips. How to cast, how to fish, how to tie knots. It’s just special to me.
One freshwater trip really stands out in my mind. My dad and I went backpacking up in the Cloud Peak Wilderness in Wyoming. We were up 10,000 feet looking for golden trout and we finally spotted a few. They have crazy colors. We were camping for a few nights, me, my dad, and dog, and hooking into browns, cutties, and brooks. Then you see the golden red flash and you know that has to be one. My dad told me stories about how they got there dropping them from helicopters because they were endangered in California. I got elevation sickness on way back down and that was no fun, but it just adds to the memories. That was probably my favorite outdoor trip ever. It’s hard to beat the satisfaction of that golden trout.
Q: That is an awesome story. Thanks for sharing.
Ford: Sure!
Q: Ok what is your favorite saltwater destination?
Ford: The Bahamas. Cat Island, Bahamas. We fish out of Hawk’s Nest Marina. It is awesome. We go out there and catch mahi, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, blue marlin. It’s awesome. I caught my first marlin when I was 12. But my favorite thing I learned to do is spearfishing. I think I like it because it’s a lot like hunting. It’s the perfect blend of fishing and hunting.
Q: How deep can you dive and what are you shooting?
Ford: I can do about 40 ft. Lot of breathing techniques to learn and practice that the guide taught me. I shoot a lot of lionfish. They are invasive and they eat baby crabs and lobsters. They do a lot of damage to the reefs so killing them really helps the reef environment. I like to think that someday I might be able to come back and harvest one of those lobsters I saved for dinner.
But my favorite species for spearfishing is hogfish. They are just a cool species that looks different. They are a light sandy color but they like to think they are much better camouflaged than they really are. They just swim right up to me and give me perfect broadside shots. That, and they taste delicious!
Q: Any other cool trips?
Ford: Yea probably two that stick out in my mind. They were both beautiful, but they were special because I got to share them with people I love.
The first one was Sitka, Alaska last year. It was special because it was the first guided trip I have been on with all three of my siblings. I mean the place was beautiful and we are out seeing bears, eagles, and whales and catching a ton of fish. I love catching new species.
But the most special part was sharing the experience with my sisters and little brother. They don’t fish a lot, but seeing them catch a fish, that joy on their face, it was special. And then I also got to teach my 8-year-old little brother how to fish too. It was fun.
The other special trip was just me and my mom. We were out west seeing some national parks and she knows I love to fly fish. So we booked a guided day on the Snake River. She doesn’t love fishing, but she did it for me. It was great. I got to teach her what I knew and see her catch fish. Like I said, just a special memory.
The cool part about these trips is, for the longest time, this was just something me and my dad shared. But this showed me that fishing with people who are just learning can be just as fun if not more so! It’s all about making those memories and having fun together. Oh yea, back in Sitka, our dingy got stuck in a river about 15 feet away from these brown bears eating salmon. They didn’t pay any attention to us, but my mom freaked out. It makes for a good laugh today. Those are the kind of memories I’m talking about.
Q: Ok, one of my favorite questions. What are your bucket list hunting and fishing trips.
Ford: Love the question! Hunting: I really want to go on an Alaskan moose hunt. Hiking and tracking one of these down in the snow always sounded amazing. Fishing: Black marlin off the coast of Australia. I mean a 1,000 lbs marlin sounds like an unbelievable fight. A 200 lbs marlin kicks my butt, so I don’t know how I will be able to do it, but it sounds like an awesome experience.
Q: Those are on my bucket list too! Thanks. Alright let’s wrap this up. I have heard you talk a lot about family the entire time here. If you were to sum it all up, what does fishing with your dad and family mean to you?
Ford: Its special to be able to share the experience and the joy of fishing with someone else. Especially with someone who has taught you or you can teach. And being able to share with someone who has never had the experience is a special thing. It creates memories and stories you will always have and I look forward to sharing those stories and photos with my kids someday.
Q: And finally, what is next for you?
Ford: I am off to Colorado this fall. I am looking forward to exploring the fishing out there. I have a friend from high school going with me so I am excited to get him into fly fishing too and having some fun adventures.
We want to say thanks again to Ford for sharing his story with us. Getting friends and family into the outdoors on an adventure is one of the best ways you can create lasting memories. If you are looking for a fun way to get outside, you probably don’t have too look far. Check out the trips that we have across the United States and Canada and start making your own memories.
