This Father’s Day, I decided to take the afternoon off and spend it doing what I love most — fishing — but this time it was with my favorite crew: my wife and our two girls. We headed out on the lake for a little family time, and let me tell you, the fishing did not disappoint.

We left Chicago for a 15 mile run. On setup the bite was on right away, and we were reeling them in steady. It didn’t take long before we had our four-person limit in the cooler — 19 beautiful coho salmon and a bonus brown trout to top it off. Perfect weather, calm water, and great company. Hard to ask for a better afternoon.

What really made it special, though, was being out there with my girls. I know people always say kids grow up fast — and man, they weren’t lying. It feels like just yesterday I was helping them hold a rod for the first time, and now they’re out there setting lines and fighting fish like naturals. Watching them out on the water, having fun and making memories, really hit home for me.

I’m beyond grateful for days like this. It’s not always about the fish (though catching a cooler full doesn’t hurt) — it’s about those little moments that remind you what matters most.