This page is dedicated to people that have helped me along the way who are no longer with us
Tribute to my Father and Mother
Neither my father nor my mother fished—it was never their thing. That being said, I fell in love with fishing at a very early age. I was six years old when it started, and from that point on, it became my thing.
As a child, I played sports. We had a sporting facility in my hometown where my dad, Zeke, was a member, and I played just about every sport they offered—baseball, basketball, football. There was one thing they didn’t offer, though: fishing. But there were two creeks within that complex, and that’s where I began to fish and learn the water.
Zeke would take me to all my games, but a lot of the time I’d end up getting yelled at for being down in the creeks instead of on the field. As I grew older, he started taking me to other fishing spots—dropping me off and picking me up when I was done. He didn’t fish, but he made sure I could.
My mother, Angie, did the same. I was relentless in asking her to take me somewhere to fish. If she couldn’t, she’d make my older brother or sisters take me. She made sure I got where I wanted to go.
People don’t always have to fish with you to make an impact on your life. Without Angie and Zeke driving me all over so I could chase what I loved, I might have ended up doing something entirely different.
I never really got the chance to properly thank them for that. But I’m sure they knew just how much I loved fishing—and how much I appreciated them for helping me follow that passion.
Tribute to my Aunt Sis
I loved my Aunt Sis when I was a kid. We would go to her house, and she had a whole room dedicated to the Pittsburgh Steelers—it was like a shrine. It was awesome. I can’t really describe just how cool it felt to see that as a kid.
When I was seven, we went to visit my other aunt in Florida. She had a canal in her backyard, and that’s where Aunt Sis took me to catch my first fish on a rod and reel. That moment sparked something in me that still burns today—I now fish over one hundred days a year.
I never really got the chance to properly thank her for that, but I will always remember that day. If she hadn’t taken the time to bring me out to that canal and show me how to fish, I might not be an angler today.
It’s still the coolest fishing memory I have.
So thank you, Aunt Sis.
Tribute to my friend Shawn Kmetko
This is a tribute to my friend Shawn, who passed away far too soon. I’m grateful that we were able to share one last trip together out on the water, doing what we both loved most—fishing side by side. That day will stay with me forever.
Shawn and I started fishing together in our early teens, learning as we went, growing up with rods in our hands and time on our side. He was more than just a fishing buddy—he was one of the people who helped shape who I became. His knowledge of finding the right places to fish, reading the water, and trusting instinct taught me more than he probably ever realized. Some of my best memories are of us heading out, exploring new spots, chasing that next great catch, and just enjoying the quiet moments in between.
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Shawn had a way of turning every trip into a lesson and every lesson into a memory. Those days on the water weren’t just about fishing—they were about friendship, patience, and shared passion. I’ll carry those moments with me every time I cast a line or find a new place to fish. Until we meet again, my friend, thank you for the memories, the knowledge, and the bond that will never fade.
Tribute to Chris Patchel
When I was a child, all I ever wanted to do was fish. I would go with anyone and everyone who was willing, spending as much time on the water as I possibly could. I spent a lot of that time fishing alongside Chris’s son, and through that, Chris became a big part of my life and my memories.
Chris had a family trailer along the Allegheny River, a place that felt like a second home to us. We fished there constantly, learning the river. Chris would drive us around to different fishing spots, always knowing where to go, and many times he would fish right alongside us. Back then, I fished for everything I could, but Chris had a true love for carp fishing—and he was incredibly good at it. Every time we went out, it seemed like he landed a big one.
Those lessons stuck with me. He showed me that fishing isn’t only about catching fish; it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and appreciating the moments. The lessons I learned from Chris are ones I still carry with me today.
Fishing creates memories and teaches lessons that last a lifetime, and Chris was a huge part of that for me. His guidance, his calm presence, and his love for the sport left a lasting mark on my life. As long as I’m here, his lessons will remain with me, and I hope to pass them on to the people I fish with, just as he passed them on to me.