The Half Past First Cast Lifestyle
Fishing isn’t just about catching fish for the Half Past First Cast team – It’s a way of life
It’s the surroundings, the places, the people and the stories. Whether you’re a weekend angler or a seasoned tournament pro, the culture of fishing runs deep or shallow (depending on how you like to fish). We work every day to connect people who want to chase their next great catch. The shared experiences and the stories live on long after the last cast of that particular trip.
For lots of people, fishing is a special tradition shared across generations. Kids are taught how to tie knots, cast, and have fun on the water. Some families have favorite fishing spots that feel almost magical, with stories of amazing catches passed down over the years.
However, not everyone grows up fishing. Many people discover it later in life for different reasons. For example, I met Pete and if I wanted to spend time with him I needed to learn how to fish. Some try fishing for the first time because a friend invites them along, and they end up loving the peace and excitement of it. Others start fishing as a way to relax and escape from busy everyday life and people. When I “let” Pete fish by himself to help clear his head, it improves the overall mood in the house.
No matter how someone starts, fishing has a way of bringing people together and creating memories. Even those who never thought they’d enjoy it often find themselves hooked after their first big catch and in my scenario, THE BEST CATCH OF MY LIFE.
Whether it’s fly fishing in the mountains, heading out to sea, or catching bass in a trophy lake, each type of fishing has distinctions that make it even more fun and meaningful. Half Past First Cast makes sure we build the trip to fit your personal needs.
Fishing is often a social event. In our case, that more true for me than for Pete but that is why we work so well together. It brings people together in ways few other activities can – there’s only so much room to get away from someone on a boat. We want fishing trips to become annual traditions among friends, and even strangers can bond instantly over a shared love for the sport. You will see me and Pete at tournaments, fishing expos and business associations, to get the word out about fishing. We have found that every angler has some experience or dream or contact in common with us and we immediately swap stories, talk about destinations, and trophy fish -- and even commiserate over the one that got away.
Early in our relationship I suggested fishing for other species, but for Pete bass fishing was the holy grail. On our tenth wedding anniversary, though, we fly fished for trout in Montana and Pete realized there might be other species out there we were missing. Little by little we explored additional options – at each one we thoroughly checked out the facilities, the boats, the equipment and felt out the guides and owners while watching them on their waters. We chose not to partner with certain groups because they couldn’t provide the experience that we wanted. We believe in offering only the finest of everything for our clients, to ensure that every trip is unforgettable. The thrill in the pursuit of a catch feels better when you know you are getting what you pay for and have a legit shot of making it happen.
One of our distinguishing features is that we have options for single anglers. Anglers without fishing buddies often face steep additional costs for bucket list trips. We don’t want you to miss out for that reason.
We make sure to fish at places that put conservation first – place that stress habitat preservation, and responsible fishing methods ensure that future generations can enjoy the same waters and experiences. However, we’re not afraid to take home some salmon or tuna from sustainable fisheries. We even bought another freezer for that purpose.
No fishing trip is complete without a good story and Pete and I try to make sure that each trip is memorable. Whether it’s a monster fish that takes 3+ hours to get to the boat and then breaks the line, an unexpected whale jumping out of the water, encounters with bears, food and drink that runneth over, beautiful locations, surroundings and people that become friends and feeling like family, we want you to go to your grave with memories, not regrets (just live long enough to make as many memories as possible, please!).
Fishing isn’t just a hobby for us—it’s a culture built on passion, adventure, friendship, and a love for the water. At Half Past First Cast, we celebrate every aspect of it, from the first cast of the day to the last cast of the trip, and we want you to share in the lifetime of enjoyment as well.
