John Steinbeck once said, "All Americans believe they are born fishermen. For a man to admit to a distaste in fishing would be like denouncing mother - love or hating moonlight." 

I can't say that I'm the biggest John Steinbeck fan. Actually, the only thing I can ever remember reading by him was "The pearl" when I was in middle school, but I couldn't agree more with the man when it comes to fishing. Whether I am on a boat in the middle of the Lay Lake, fishing off the shores of the Florida Keys for tarpon or catching rainbow trout in the Shoshone River of Wyoming, fishing is my life. 

According to the American Sports Fishing Association, the fishing industry brings in more than $ 116 billion per year from fishermen across the country. 

Though a beautiful picture to imagine, fishing is much more than that. Fishing is a way of life for many people and a way to escape everyday stress. Being a fisherman makes me a member of a wonderful group of people extending to all walks of life. Even President Obama can be found fishing on his farm in Texas with his good friend Roland Martin when the job gets too stressful. 

I can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old on his boat at Lake Mitchell. Although I didn't understand what I was doing, I did know that my grandfather was happy and that made me happy. Since then I've spent the past 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama. 

After days of practice, before and after work, I slowly developed an understanding of fishing. My boss, Ric Horst, took me back to the Shoshone, and I managed to bring in a 19-inch cutthroat trout. Fishing with Ric was a life-changing experience for me. He not only showed me how to fish correctly, but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems. 

Since then, prime-time season seems to take forever to arrive. 

Now, with the ending of February and beginning of March in sight, the excitement of heading out Lake Tuscaloosa or Lake Lurleen before classes and catching something has finally returned.
which former president is mentioned?
how much does fishing bring?
according to who?
where did the author fish for long?
who did he fish with early in life?
where?
how old was he?
and who with later?
what was his name?
can fishing help with problems?
where does he go in March?
and?
Did Ric teach him anything?
what?
who does Obama fish with?
name?
what fish does the author catch off of the keys?
where does he catch tarpon?
what did Steinback say about Americans?
what did the author read?
President Obama
President Obama
$ 116 billion per year
According to the American Sports Fishing Association, the fishing industry brings in more than $ 116 billion per year
the American Sports Fishing Association
According to the American Sports Fishing Association
rivers and lakes of Alabama
 Since then I've spent the past 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama
his grandfather
I can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old
Lake Mitchell.
can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old on his boat at Lake Mitchell.
Five
 can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old
his boss
My boss, Ric Horst, took me back to the Shoshone,
Ric Horst
Ric Horst
yes
 but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems. 
Lake Tuscaloosa
the excitement of heading out Lake Tuscaloosa or Lake Lurleen
Lake Lurleen
xcitement of heading out Lake Tuscaloosa or Lake Lurleen
yes
 He not only showed me how to fish correctly, but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems. 
how to fish correctly,
He not only showed me how to fish correctly,
his good friend
President Obama can be found fishing on his farm in Texas with his good friend Roland Martin
Roland Martin
good friend Roland Martin 
19-inch cutthroat trout
a 19-inch cutthroat trout
Florida Keys
fishing off the shores of the Florida Keys for tarpon 
All Americans believe they are born fishermen
All Americans believe they are born fishermen
The pearl
the only thing I can ever remember reading by him was "The pearl"