Fishing & Family Legacy

When my grandfather, Jack, turned 10, his father took him on a fishing trip that sparked a tradition upheld to this day. 83 years later, the men in my family—uncles, cousins, fathers, and sons—continue his legacy. Every other year, our crew converges from all corners of the US just north of the border in Ontario, Canada for three days of casting our lures into the depths.

We’re all amateur fishermen. Some meticulously prepare all spring, exploring small ponds and making trips to their local Bass Pro Shop. Others dust off their tackle boxes just days before departure. Some years, fish practically leap onto our hooks; others see us losing dozens of lures to underwater snags.

The fish that do end up in our boats feel like gifts from “Big” Grandpa Jack himself.

Yet, fishing serves merely as a catalyst for Grandpa’s true intentions behind the trip: the family gathering. Fathers with sons, brothers with brothers, uncles, cousins, and second cousins, all trapped together in small aluminum boats, strengthening bonds that are now challenged by geographic barriers.

Turning 10 and embarking on your first trip is a significant milestone. Today, a fourth generation of young anglers joins our crew, continuing the tradition.

Every two years, this is our ritual.

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35mm film shot on CineStill 400 and 800.