Laurie Emerson embraces the quiet rhythm of kayak
fishing along one of Florida’s winding waterways.
It Just Takes One
By Anietra Hamper
Photos courtesy of Laurie Emerson
A Woman’s Accidental Catch Becomes Her Pathway to a Passion
Laurie Emerson is a passionate angler who fishes for nearly every species in any location with any methods she can try. It’s hard to imagine that for most of her life Emerson was never much into fishing at all until an accidental catch of a catfish changed the trajectory of her life and lifestyle forever.
Emerson remembers that day fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach with her son who was home for a visit.
“I took a folding chair and a couple of beers and went down just to hang with him,” Emerson said. “Fishing wasn’t the plan. Connection was.”
But somewhere between conversation points with a rod in her hand, life had other surprises in store.
“My rod just almost pulled out of my hand,” she said. “I was like, what do I do?”
Guided by her son’s calm coaching, Emerson reeled in her first real catch of an 8-pound catfish. No landing net. No experience. Just instinct, laughter and a moment that would ripple through the rest of her life from that moment forward.
“That accidental fish opened my world in a way I never expected,” she said.
The Power of One Moment
At first, Emerson didn’t even want to touch the fish.
“They have pokers,” she laughed. “I thought it was going to hurt me.” But her son insisted. “He said, ‘Okay, Mom, you’re going to hold the fish.’ And he taught me how.”
That simple act of holding the fish and overcoming hesitation became symbolic of something bigger that Emerson was yet to realize.
As she enjoyed a delicious meal from her catch with her son, she reflected on how that day played out in such an unexpected way.
“The fight surprised me,” Emerson said. “I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the feeling of fighting a fish. I looked at sharing that moment with my son and thought, I could relive that any day.”
From First Catch to Lifelong Passion
That catch and that memorable day ignited a passion. Emerson’s accidental introduction to fishing has now evolved into a full immersion in the angling world.
Today, she lives in Port Charlotte, Florida, where she moved to fish more often.
Now Emerson spends almost every day fishing in nearly every way imaginable, from kayak fishing through winding canals and fly fishing to saltwater fishing for species like redfish and snook and ice-fishing trips with her son.
And yes, she still has a special affection for catfish.
“I actually get excited when catfish show up,” she said. “Because I know other fish are there, too.”
Emerson looks at her fishing journey as a continual education, which is why she gets excited about exploring all kinds of angling experiences.
“Learning a knot, meeting people who know more than me, I just don’t get tired of it,” she says.
More Than Fishing: A Way of Living
For Emerson, fishing is not just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. Her motivation comes from the physical time she spends on the water and not just catching fish.
She points to experiences like watching the sunrise, witnessing dolphins surfing the wake of her boat, spotting the brief appearances of manatees, feeling the breeze and noticing the details of nature that most people miss while rushing through life.
“There’s a general calmness you feel in your soul being on the water,” she explained. “The beauty that God has provided. You see it and feel it.”
Fishing has also reshaped how she approaches other things in her life.
“It has taught me to be more patient and to enjoy those moments with people you care about. Appreciate the balance that nature needs to survive,” Emerson said.
As a retired nurse, she also appreciates the wellness benefits that comes with fishing and spending time outdoors.
“There are things people do that keep them living well, and fishing is one of them.”
Breaking Barriers, Building Community
Emerson knows that while her son introduced her to fishing, not every woman has someone to show them the way, which is why she’s made it her mission to encourage others to get outside and try it.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out and join people who like to do what you like to do,” she said.
Her advice is practical and empowering for women. She recommends starting with a guide for gaining knowledge and for the best chance of success, especially starting out. She recommends attending seminars to learn the basics and making connections through fishing groups and social media.
Her most important advice is this: don’t let intimidation stop you.
“Most people are willing to share what they know,” she said. “And I’ll go fishing with anybody who wants to try.”
Emerson has seen firsthand how fishing brings people together across skill levels, backgrounds and experiences.
“Enjoying fishing is a parallel to enjoying life,” she said.
The Ripple Effect of a Single Catch
Looking back, Emerson admits that it’s almost impossible to believe that she once hesitated to touch a fish.
Now, she navigates waters with confidence, mentors others and embraces every cast no matter what her catch rate is at the end of the day.
“Sometimes the fish wins, and that’s okay,” she says.
Her perspective comes from knowing that her days on the water fishing are about preserving life’s most precious moments, whether that’s from sharing the day with friends or loved ones or soaking in the restorative solitude.
Emerson’s tone is reflective as she shares the details of that day with her son on the dock and that one catfish that changed how she lives her entire life.
She knows that somewhere out there, another woman is sitting on a dock, unsure, and unprepared, not realizing she might be just one cast away from a life-changing moment. And that’s a thought that makes her smile.
(Anietra Hamper is a career television news anchor and investigative journalist turned award-winning outdoor writer specializing in fishing and outdoor adventure. Anietra travels the world fishing for catfish and other unique species in new destinations.)
