The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon when eight-year-old James stood on El Jobean Bridge, the Myakka River quietly rolling beneath his feet. It was one of those rare, calm mornings in Englewood, Florida—humid and buzzing with the promise of a good catch. His small hands clutched the rod a little too tightly, knuckles white with anticipation. His dad stood beside him, a steady presence with a quiet smile and a tackle box full of hope. Then, with a sudden tug and a splash, James’s rod bent, and after a short, breathless struggle, he pulled his very first fish from the water. The pride in his father's eyes was more powerful than any words, and in that simple, perfect moment, something inside James changed.

That catch lit a fire that never went out. Summers that followed were marked by early mornings, salty air, and countless hours on piers and in boats, rod in hand and heart full of wonder. Fishing became more than a hobby; it was how James connected with the world—with nature, with his family, and ultimately, with himself. As life moved on, and years came and went, that memory on the Myakka River remained a touchstone—his North Star.

Now, at 36, James has turned that childhood moment into a way of life. Together with his younger brother, Jordan, he co-owns a charter fishing business in Leamington, Ontario, guiding anglers across the vast waters of Lake Erie in pursuit of perch and walleye. The two brothers—seasoned, passionate, and deeply connected by both blood and water—share stories of fishing together as they teach a new generation the joy of the catch. For James, every successful trip is a tribute to that day on the bridge, to the fish that started it all, and to the father who handed him the rod and unknowingly handed him a purpose.