Why this 11-year-old Canadian kid loves to go fishing

In honour of National Fishing Week, Outdoor Canada is pleased to present this article by guest contributor Brennan Boyce, of Kingston, Ontario—a dedicated, lifelong angler. This story was originally a Grade 6 school assignment, where kids had to pick a topic, write a speech and then present it to the class. Naturally Brennan (who is now 12) chose to write about his greatest summertime passion: fishing.

I am about to admit something: I have an obsession. I read about it, I watch videos, I dream about it. If I could, I would do it everyday.

Imagine this for a minute: the sun is barely up, and I’m eager to get out of bed and enjoy a full day of anticipating what I might find. The only sound I hear as I rush out the door is my dog close behind me. I think to myself, “Please don’t bark.” Then I go racing down the dock, worm box in hand, as I grab my tacklebox and my Ugly Stik. A perfect summer day is about to take place. I can’t think of anything better.

Our cottage is on Beaver Lake. This lake is 40 minutes northwest of Kingston, Ontario. It’s the perfect place for any fisherman, including an 11-year-old fishing nut. Our lake is full sunfish, crappie, bass, walleye, pike, catfish, suckers and carp.

Last summer we found the strangest looking creature just off our dock. At first I thought it was a dead walleye. When I scooped it up with my net, my dad wasn’t sure, but thought maybe we had caught an eel. After calling our neighbours over to take a peek, sending out messages on Facebook and doing our own research, we realized we had caught a burbot. What is a burbot you might ask? A burbot is a cross between a catfish and an eel. It has a serpent-like body. It’s very ugly.

I have to share one of my favourite nighttime fishing rituals. With my flashlight in hand, ankle-deep in the water, and fishing net ready to pounce… it’s minnow catching time! The bonfire is roaring, and I’m catching minnows. Or at least I’m trying. It’s helpful when you have a friend nearby to hold the flashlight, so you can dive if needed. I recommend everyone try this, because it is so much fun.

I guess you can tell I’m kind of crazy about the whole fishing thing. Maybe someday you will see me on my own TV fishing show. Maybe I will call my show Extreme Angler (#FishBros). I know I could rely on a few of you to join me on some Extreme Angler trips. You know who you are. As I look forward to the summer days ahead, I can almost feel the heat of the sun as I sit in our boat, waiting patiently to feel my rod bend even the smallest amount. I can even smell the Berkley Gulp! bait—it smells great! My tackle box is already waiting, and I’m ready to go catch fish. Who wants to join me?!

Now 12 years old, Brennan Boyce lives in Kingston, Ontario, and every summer fishes the heck out of Beaver Lake. Watch for Extreme Angler (#FishBros) to debut on TV sometime around 2030.