Reeling in Memories Father & Son Fishing Duos

Isle of Palms is the kind of place where traditions meet the sea and where memories are often made beyond the sandy shores. That’s exactly what we’re celebrating this June as we reflect on our fathers and our father figures. And what better place to start than by casting a line.

Whether you’re fishing off a dock or a boat, with a net or a pole, fishing is a quintessential Lowcountry tradition; a pastime where memories of dads and grandads often shine. When you’re fishing, time seems to stand still, and the world seems to slowly fade away through equal parts patience, determination and hope.

IOP is brimming with stories of generations passing the sport and hobby of fishing down, and we had the privilege of talking with some of those legacy-makers.

BJ & Trey Bowen

BJ Bowen fished a few times as a kid but really took to the pursuit as an adult when a friend started fishing with his nephew. Bowen quickly realized it was a great way to spend time with his kids (and his kids’ friends) while being in the great outdoors. Just ask his son Trey.

His approach is simple: start with fishing, find some time for exploration in the middle and leave when the kids are bored. Bowen’s fishing spots of choice are Breach Inlet and the public dock at the IOP Marina. While jovially chatting about sunshine and sandy toes, he also acknowledged the life lessons and character building that fishing provides. He loves to teach his son how “the smoked salmon at Harris Teeter or the mahi sandwich at the Dinghy didn’t get there on its own.” His hope is that his children and the next generation at large will learn both patience and gratitude through fishing, noting that you’re “at the mercy of what nature gives you for the day.” The unexpected is what ultimately leads to gratefulness.

David & Wills Hartness

Taking things a bit more seriously are father-son tournament fishers David and Wills Hartness, who have lived full-time on Isle of Palms for five years but spent a lifetime at sea. David grew up fishing with his grandfather and it was second nature to introduce Wills to fishing right away. Wills fished in his first tournament at the ripe age of 4, and he now owns his own charter boat through which he fishes nearly every day.

David half laughed with an immense sense of pride in his voice as he said, “Wills can outfish anyone on the boat. Two weeks ago, he caught a 60-pound king mackerel.” I could hear his smile through the phone as he passionately recounts a life on the water: the ups, the downs, the adventure, the hard work and everything in between making it actually “really hard to explain.” But explanations simply weren’t necessary. The experience of fishing with his son for 20-plus years is something he will always cherish and never regret. He added, “You can’t get it back,” when it comes to spending that kind of quality time with your children. It’s now or never.

As Wills shares his story, it’s undeniable that the feeling is mutual. “Fishing with my dad is definitely really cool. We share the same passion for it which makes it even better, and we always look forward to more,” said Wills. He continued by sharing a favorite memory on the water: a nighttime bite offshore with the boat’s underwater lights on drifting through the sea. “The flying fish and squid were everywhere. I was throwing my cast net and using them for bait. Next thing we know the tuna started crashing into the side and bottom of the boat trying to eat them. The bite that night was electric!” When asked about lessons learned from fishing, he chuckled as he said, “It will make you respect Mother Nature. I’d like to say patience, but I’d probably be lying. Being in the right spot at the right time goes a long way.”

For these fathers and sons, it seems they’ve intentionally created moments to be in the right spot at the right time. Whether or not the fishing’s good, the time invested in this special relationship will certainly be time well spent.

By Katie Finch