7,000 Miles

You’ve Come a Long Way Baby

The first question I ask every new employee that I meet at work is – “What do you like to do for fun?” It’s incredible to me how many people seem to stutter at that question.

I go fishing – bass fishing. And, as I’ve gotten older I like sharing that passion with the people around me. Speaking of getting older, I’m now one of the older people where I work. It’s been a gradual shift, but one that I knew was coming. While I’m not what anyone would ever call ‘high on the totem pole’, age does have its perks – and more than just early-bird specials.

Enjoying what I do in the most diverse cultural environment in the state is not something I ever really thought I’d be doing. Enjoying the company of my coworkers even less so. Work was work, play was play and I kept those two things separate for most of my life. I’d occasionally take a coworker out but rarely would I do it twice. I got to feeling that the reason they wanted to come fishing was to go for rides in a big, fast boat and take pictures - and not because they wanted to learn something or actually be my friend. I’ve never been one to take people fishing who pester me either. Just because I have a boat and spend my free time doing something I love does not entitle them to an invite. I worked hard, many times at more than one job and I expect that of others if they want things. It’s a relief to say that not one person that I currently work with has decided that it’s my job to entertain them. If anything, they’ve mentioned a passing interest and if I ever wanted company (and work schedules synced up) they’d like to join me. I appreciate them not hounding me.

At work last Friday I was already looking at the forecast for the lake, planning on going a couple of times due to fair winds and nice weather. I just happened to be standing next to Freddie Muganga and he asked what I was going to do on my days off.

“I’m going fishing. Would you like to go? Are you working on Monday?”

Pasang Lama asked me the same question, just a few minutes later. 

“I’m going fishing on Monday if you want to go.”

Both of them said ‘yes’, and after purchasing and printing three-day fishing licenses on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website, they were locked in. I sent them a video to watch and get some familiarity with bass fishing, answered a few basic questions and then dropped them each a pin with the boat launch location and the time to meet me there.

Nepal, Pasang’s home country is located on the northern border of India, on the southern side of the Himalayan mountain range. It’s home to eight of the world’s highest mountain peaks. It’s often confused with Tibet, which is on the other side (northern side) of the mountains. Of course, China thinks that they own everything. Me being the ignorant American had a lot of questions for Pasang. You should learn more about Nepal.

You should probably ‘Google’ it and do some reading.

He’s been here in the US for about two years and has worked his way from the lowest rung of the employment ladder to the same position that I am employed in. He is obviously much more in tune with his generation and technology than I will ever be. At 25 years old he has had to learn his way around the streets and buildings of a foreign country and learn a new language. He’s an immediately likable guy with an outstanding sense of humor (self-deprecating and endearing at times) but still figuring out where he fits and how he’ll get there. He is however blossoming in to a person that his parents should be proud of. I enjoy working with him.

Freddie is from the small African country of Burundi and is about ten years older than Pasang. You should know Burundi. I was a bit embarrassed that I didn’t know more. Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo border Burundi. In fact, its neighbors dwarf it. You should probably ‘Google’ Burundi to learn more about it.

Freddie is married with a young daughter, and immigrated to the US in order to be with his wife four years ago. When he walks in to a room you are immediately drawn to his regality and supermodel presence (seriously dude, get some head shots and an agent). His smile is disarming though, and he possesses a humility that I can only describe as ‘mindful inquisitiveness’. He does not step on toes, is exceedingly polite and seeks to connect with those around him. Much like Pasang, he’s had to learn a new language and familiarize himself with a new country. I enjoy working with him too. 

The evening before our trip, I sat watching the Red Sox and pouring over notes from coaching my high school team. Neither of these guys has ever gone fishing before. At least my high school team had some of the basics down and understood the lure to line to reel connection. Connecting the dots on the fly had me concerned that if we went out and didn’t catch anything, they’d hate fishing and never go again. I sent a text to club member and local charter captain Jacob Nichols. If anyone had any tips for novices it would be him.

“Drop-shot man, they’ll get bites,” Jacob said.

“What about just throwing a ned-rig? They’ve never even held a fishing rod, let alone casted one. It’s pretty basic and gets plenty of bites.”

“It would be my second choice.”

“I have to be honest, I’m concerned that they won’t catch anything and will feel like they wasted a day.”

“Nah man, you’ll get some fish. Don’t worry so much. Take ‘em across the lake at 70 miles-per-hour and even if they don’t catch anything it’ll be a highlight.”

“Point well-taken.” (laughing) “It does kinda’ make things ok, even on a bad day.”

The next morning I slipped the boat in around 8:30AM and texted the boys to let them know I was in the water and eagerly awaiting their arrival. I puttered around on the trolling motor near the boat launch and when I looked up at the dock both Freddie and Pasang were ambling down, Pasang holding a small DJI digital video recorder and taking in every step.

That’s when it really dawned on me. This was a big thing to him. It was a big thing to the both of them. What I took for granted – having a boat, going fishing, spending a day on the water, was something that they had probably never dreamed of or realized was even attainable.

“I have got to make sure these guys catch fish and have an experience.”

They stepped in and Pasang continued recording everything with a big smile on his face. I showed them where to sit and turned the boat to idle out to the big lake. I tapped Freddie on the shoulder and took my hat off, motioning for him to do the same. I then nodded to both of them, asking if they were ready. They nodded back.

I dropped the hammer.

My boat gets out of the hole quickly, and the mirrored surface of the water reflecting the blue sky suddenly erupted behind us, launching us forward towards the stars. Settling down we hit 40-50-60 miles-per-hour in a few seconds. I looked to my left and the smiles on their faces could part any clouds and light up any room. Trimming the engine we eased towards 70, as the boat launch slowly faded away. Across the Sandbar I tilted north and ran around Cedar Island as I let the engine eat with the throttle pinned and the boat in full send mode.  I looked over and Pasang was still recording. Heading north towards St. Albans Bay I decided to slow a bit, eventually stopping to start fishing some underwater humps instead of heading to Canada and causing an international uproar with our excessive smiles.

“Wow! That was incredible! I see why you like this,” Freddie said. “I could do this every day! Work? What is that?! Just incredible. It’s so beautiful out here!”

I handed Freddie and Pasang basic spinning rods. 7-foot, medium-heavies spooled with eight-pound test monofilament. On the end of the line a basic Ned-Rig setup of a 1/8-ounce mushroom jig and small three-inch soft plastic.

*I’m not a huge fan of the Ned-Rig because my personal experiences have been a bag of mixed results. It’s saved my ass in a couple of tournaments, but it doesn’t always select for bigger fish. Not my first choice on tournament day, but for Freddie and Pasang, the perfect way to introduce them to fishing with lures.

After some instruction on casting, which they both took to quickly, I heard Freddie behind me yell.

“I think I’ve got one!”

I turned to watch a small, one-pound smallmouth break the surface. I coached him to keep his rod tip low and ease the fish to the side of the boat.

It wasn’t long until Pasang had a fish of his own fighting on the end of the line. And then another…and another. They weren’t the biggest fish, but I had to keep reminding myself that these were the first fish they’d ever caught and each one was a new personal best.

For the first couple of hours on the water I hadn’t even caught one of my own but was still having fun. We moved from spot to spot for the next few hours (I finally caught a few) catching fish along the way. Pasang then reminded me that he had to get to work in Burlington for 3:00PM and despite the day still being young…err, middle-aged, I turned the boat south and strapped everything down for the run back to the launch. I didn’t go quite as fast this time, but I ran down the west side of the Inland Sea this time giving them a chance to take it all in.

At the dock the handshakes were genuine, as was the appreciation and desire to do it again. I went back out by myself for a few hours after dropping them off and caught nothing. The vibe had dissipated, but later while putting the boat on the trailer I felt good.

I cannot imagine packing up my life – the only way I know, and moving 7,000 miles. It was hard enough in my early twenties to move to the west coast let alone a whole new country and culture. The world is getting smaller thanks to technology, but there’s still a lot I don’t know. I am glad however that they both seem to be doing well and working towards doing even better. I think a lot of people aren’t so quick to think about that – how difficult it can be to want to change your stars. A great majority never even get the chance. Some just don’t want it. To have that thought alone takes great courage, ambition and determination. Leaving your family, raising a new one – trying your hardest, and sometimes failing. It’s humbling to think about. What I see as ‘just another day’ in this country, the things that I take for granted – friendship, community, appreciation (a bassboat, a truck to pull it with, gas money, a good job, food on the table, a roof over my head, friends…etc.) and the freedom to make choices are things that not everyone has. I think we all sense it, but rarely does it have consequences in our day-to-day lives.

Sometimes, you just have to change, and be willing to ask someone to go fishing with you.