Grandpa, a Cane Pole, and a Catfish Bigger Than Me [EP 483]

This week on episode 483 of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, I'm talking with Anietra Hamper. Anietra Hamper is a trusted journalist having spent a successful career in television news working as an anchor and investigative reporter. Now, she is an award-winning outdoor and travel writer, book author, keynote speaker, and owner of ThreeWordPress.

Show Notes

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Show Notes

Ever wonder how a childhood dream leads to catching a fish bigger than your entire body? Spoiler alert: it involves nightcrawlers, pigtails, and a life lesson you’ll never forget.

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What Happened:

Let me take you back to where it all began: a little girl with red bows in her pigtails and a cane pole in her hand, standing on the shore of St. Mary’s Lake. "My grandpa—a master outdoorsman—taught me the essentials of fishing: respect for nature, the thrill of the catch, and the joy of releasing what you don’t plan to eat."

“Dig those nightcrawlers, and I’ll take you fishing,” he’d say. So, there I was, unbothered by the dirt or the worms, just focused on earning my spot on the lake. Fishing wasn’t just a pastime; it was a gateway to appreciating the dew on the grass, the calls of morning geese, and the quiet magic of nature.

Fast forward a few decades and countless fishing trips later, I found myself in a tiny Spanish village, Mecaninza. My goal? To catch the legendary wells catfish—monsters of the deep that grow to ridiculous sizes. That day, I hooked a fish so enormous I could’ve crawled inside like a sleeping bag. Holding it, I couldn’t help but cry. Not for the sheer size of the catch but because, in that moment, I felt Grandpa’s lessons come full circle.

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Principle:

Here’s the truth: the seeds of our passions are often planted early, and they grow with us in ways we can’t always predict. For me, it was Grandpa’s insistence on finding joy beyond the catch—the sound of frogs, the way sunlight dances on water, the respect for what we take from the earth.

Whether you’re an adventurer at heart or just finding your way into nature, the journey is about more than the destination. It’s about the stories that shape us, the lessons that stick, and the memories we carry forward.

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Transition:

But here’s the thing: so many of us feel disconnected from this kind of life. Between work, deadlines, and everyday chaos, reconnecting with nature feels… impossible. Maybe you’ve never had a “Grandpa” moment to inspire you. Or maybe you’re stuck thinking outdoor adventures are only for the pros.

That’s why we dove into this topic on the podcast—so you can see how anyone, from novice hikers to world-class anglers, can find their outdoor spark.

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Call to Action:

Feeling stuck indoors and missing out on nature’s magic? Stop waiting for “someday” to start exploring. Listen to our latest episode with Anitra Hamper and discover how one passion can change everything. 🎣

👉 Click here to tune in now.

Let’s turn your “someday” into today.