Fishing with Kekoa Nakasone
I was able to take a couple days to explore the Lane County rivers with Nakasone. I discovered a new way to relax and enjoy nature. I was even lucky enough to catch some fish! I love this project because it reminds me to enjoy the simple things in life, and not be scared to try new things.
“Fishing is my drug”
On a November afternoon, at Alton Baker Park in Eugene Oregon, Kekoa Nakasone relaxes on the water while waiting for a fish. “I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. Fishing is my drug,” says Nakasone.
Nakasone, a Hawaiian native, spends a lot of his time on the water. He chose to attend the University of Oregon because of the state’s abundance of fishing. Nakasone wishes he could fish every day, but he is limited to two to three times a week because of a busy schedule.
After catching a trout, Nakasone is quick to bait his hook and cast into the water. Many of Nakasone’s fishing knowledge comes from his grandfather. He was there when a five-year-old Nakasone caught his first fish.
After losing a piece of equipment, Nakasone ties a new piece to his line. “There are days where I’ll get frustrated, but mainly they’ll just be if I lose a lot of gear… if I snag and lose a lot of lures, that’s money so I’ll be bummed about that.”
“I was perfectly happy. It was a great day on the river.”
Regardless of what happens during a fishing trip, Nakasone still enjoys his adventures. “I’ve fished for 10-hour days in the summer and not caught a single thing, but I was perfectly happy. It was a great day on the river.”