by Chris Factor

Created on: August 28, 2008   Last Updated: October 25, 2011

Growing up in the Aloha State and surrounded by the big, deep blue Pacific Ocean, I was never interested in fishing. My memory of fishing growing up was seeing the locals standing at the edge of the reef for a school of fish before they threw their net. Or an expert swimmer who could dive deep and hold their breath while pursuing some of the local favorite eats with a spear gun. The variety on the table could be groupers, mullet, snappers, octopus, and at that time,  lobsters. Yummy!

As a local gal who married a Midwest guy whose family is into hunting and fishing, I was doomed to be indoctrinated into the world of fishing. At that time, I did not see a barrier between women and fishing. I was a fishing partner that started out knowing nothing about casting and became an expert at tying on a bass lure, touching a leech and filleting a limit of walleyes for a fish fry for dinner.

Although that seems like a lifetime ago, I am thankful my ex-husband introduced me to fishing. It has become a passion that I have come to love. From those years starting with a bamboo rod to spin fishing, it has now evolved into fly fishing, which I consider to be an art form to master.

I first moved to the Midwest in the middle of May, just in time for fishing opener. I acclimated quite well to the sport and the weather. It wasn't a deal of "go fishing or else". It was fun! The intro was a bamboo pole with a worm at the end of the hook. I caught bullheads and sunnies every time the hook hit the water. Pretty clever way to get me started, because the first time I set the hook I knew it was passion I would come to love.

A gift of a rod and reel combo was the start of my fishing equipment. My own tackle box started to fill with favorite lures for walleyes, pikes and large-mouth bass. Walleye fishing was a test of patience; and for the most part pretty successful. Trolling or casting for northern pike was challenging and fun. To catch a large-mouth bass was a thrill for me, because it tested my skill to be able to cast that lure between the lily pad and set that hook when the water swirled before that bass exploded out of the water.

It was on a quiet early morning as we came around the bay that I saw an elderly man in a canoe fly-casting into the lily pad. I was mesmerized by that art form because instead of getting ready to fish, I sat and watched as he captured my attention with every whip of that line as that fly landed perfectly on target into the pool of swirl

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