Hooked for Life 

Hooked for Life 

On a calm and overcast day at Dohles Rocks, we had the heart-warming opportunity to speak with Sam (11 years) and his dad, Peter, about Sam’s love of the outdoors. Of particular interest was how the 2 Bent Rods fishing program has influenced his life so far. 

Sam and Peter, how did Sam begin his fishing journey? 

Peter: Sam was quite young when he started the first program, only 6 years old. We had checked out a few of the Council school holiday programs. The first few we tried weren’t for us but fishing seemed like a good idea. That’s where we came across Two Bent Rods. We started out at Redcliffe. After Sam did the holiday program, we signed up for a private 6 week course. Sam was given a free fishing rod with the course which meant we could go out after school and on weekends as well. 

 Sam: It was really easy to get started. Catching fish is so much fun. We use circular hooks that are better for the fish and less likely to hook you. We have hookies that are little plastic covers that allow you to bait safely. If the fish are on, Dad does the baiting while I catch them! Mum doesn’t like baiting but loves the charters. Somehow, she always lands the best fish of the day! 

Peter: Both Jeremy and Samantha from 2 Bent Rods were fantastic. We had a lot of fun and felt like part of the family by the time the course finished. We found it very easy to continue and now attend every event we can. The events are inexpensive, and family focused. Those relationships make all the difference. I’m just like everyone else, it’s a bit scary to just turn up in a new environment with new people. Fishing is a very friendly sport, there is always someone ready for a chat and to offer a bit of advice.  

What has fishing meant to both of you? 

Peter: The amount of knowledge that Sam has at 11 years is incredible. He really understands the importance of environmental care. In fact, the environmental centre here at Dohles Rocks has been really great. They do so much to teach kids. 

Sam: Samantha and Jeremy teach everyone about the importance of managing introduced species. The Tilapia that we catch is from Mozambique, it’s a fast fish but it is bad for our native fish. It’s really fun to catch and Samantha tells me I’m the King at it (big smile). 

Peter: The way Sam has embraced teaching and leading others has really surprised me. He is so confident. He is currently going through the school captain leadership process. His lead in teaching other people about fishing and the environment is a great life skill.  

Sam (smiling): Samantha and Jeremy say they can’t wait for me to turn 13 so I can start work with 2 Bent Rods. I can’t wait either. 

Peter: Sam has also learnt patience and resilience.  Waiting for over an hour for a bite, then losing it as it goes to the net. Also setting and reaching goals. Sam was dreaming and talking of catching a Giant Trevally, when he finally hooked one he spent 10 minutes fighting it with all of his might! 

Sam: (Smiling broadly) Catching a GT is really cool. They are so powerful and it took a lot to get it in.  

Sam are your friends and family into fishing too? 

I did a fishing day for my birthday. I helped my friends learn how to bait and cast, we had so much fun, a really good day. I play a lot of handball and soccer with my friends too.  I mostly fish with my family, especially Dad, and my 2 Bent Rods friends. My Grandparents fish with me too. When I fish with my grandparents, we fish for the introduces species in the little lake near their place. We catch up with other families fishing on holidays and at events. 

What do you do with the fish, eat them? 

Sam: The Tilapia that I like to catch most, has to be put in the bin or buried above the water line. I have ponds and tanks at home that I use for small fish that are legal to keep. I catch and release native fish. 

Peter: Most of the time we buy our fish cooked. The place near us do a great job and it saves the smell from cooking. We do bring the fish home from the charters. They usually fillet it on the boat. 

What’s next, a kayak, boat? 

Sam: I won a kayak in a fishing competition; we’ve only used it a few times. A boat would be great! Peter: Due to my ill health I get too tuckered out to paddle. We hope to buy a boat. We enjoy being on or near the water. We loved our holiday on a houseboat, such a great family trip. We will just keep on enjoying this………. 

At this point the pelicans swam by, a father and son smiled knowingly at each other as they waved to a fellow fisherman pulling into the boat ramp.  

Ah! The serenity! 

On a calm and overcast day at Dohles Rocks, we had the heart-warming opportunity to speak with Sam (11 years) and his dad, Peter, about Sam’s love of the outdoors. Of particular interest was how the 2 Bent Rods fishing program has influenced his life so far. 

Sam and Peter, how did Sam begin his fishing journey? 

Peter: Sam was quite young when he started the first program, only 6 years old. We had checked out a few of the Council school holiday programs. The first few we tried weren’t for us but fishing seemed like a good idea. That’s where we came across Two Bent Rods. We started out at Redcliffe. After Sam did the holiday program, we signed up for a private 6 week course. Sam was given a free fishing rod with the course which meant we could go out after school and on weekends as well. 

 Sam: It was really easy to get started. Catching fish is so much fun. We use circular hooks that are better for the fish and less likely to hook you. We have hookies that are little plastic covers that allow you to bait safely. If the fish are on, Dad does the baiting while I catch them! Mum doesn’t like baiting but loves the charters. Somehow, she always lands the best fish of the day! 

Peter: Both Jeremy and Samantha from 2 Bent Rods were fantastic. We had a lot of fun and felt like part of the family by the time the course finished. We found it very easy to continue and now attend every event we can. The events are inexpensive, and family focused. Those relationships make all the difference. I’m just like everyone else, it’s a bit scary to just turn up in a new environment with new people. Fishing is a very friendly sport, there is always someone ready for a chat and to offer a bit of advice.  

What has fishing meant to both of you? 

Peter: The amount of knowledge that Sam has at 11 years is incredible. He really understands the importance of environmental care. In fact, the environmental centre here at Dohles Rocks has been really great. They do so much to teach kids. 

Sam: Samantha and Jeremy teach everyone about the importance of managing introduced species. The Tilapia that we catch is from Mozambique, it’s a fast fish but it is bad for our native fish. It’s really fun to catch and Samantha tells me I’m the King at it (big smile). 

Peter: The way Sam has embraced teaching and leading others has really surprised me. He is so confident. He is currently going through the school captain leadership process. His lead in teaching other people about fishing and the environment is a great life skill.  

Sam (smiling): Samantha and Jeremy say they can’t wait for me to turn 13 so I can start work with 2 Bent Rods. I can’t wait either. 

Peter: Sam has also learnt patience and resilience.  Waiting for over an hour for a bite, then losing it as it goes to the net. Also setting and reaching goals. Sam was dreaming and talking of catching a Giant Trevally, when he finally hooked one he spent 10 minutes fighting it with all of his might! 

Sam: (Smiling broadly) Catching a GT is really cool. They are so powerful and it took a lot to get it in.  

Sam are your friends and family into fishing too? 

I did a fishing day for my birthday. I helped my friends learn how to bait and cast, we had so much fun, a really good day. I play a lot of handball and soccer with my friends too.  I mostly fish with my family, especially Dad, and my 2 Bent Rods friends. My Grandparents fish with me too. When I fish with my grandparents, we fish for the introduces species in the little lake near their place. We catch up with other families fishing on holidays and at events. 

What do you do with the fish, eat them? 

Sam: The Tilapia that I like to catch most, has to be put in the bin or buried above the water line. I have ponds and tanks at home that I use for small fish that are legal to keep. I catch and release native fish. 

Peter: Most of the time we buy our fish cooked. The place near us do a great job and it saves the smell from cooking. We do bring the fish home from the charters. They usually fillet it on the boat. 

What’s next, a kayak, boat? 

Sam: I won a kayak in a fishing competition; we’ve only used it a few times. A boat would be great! Peter: Due to my ill health I get too tuckered out to paddle. We hope to buy a boat. We enjoy being on or near the water. We loved our holiday on a houseboat, such a great family trip. We will just keep on enjoying this………. 

At this point the pelicans swam by, a father and son smiled knowingly at each other as they waved to a fellow fisherman pulling into the boat ramp.  

Ah! The serenity!