When many fathers and their sons go on vacation, fishing is a nice relaxing way to pass the time.
But when Marblehead's John and Sam Hart take their rods and reels on vacation, they turn heads.
The Harts recently traveled to Ambergris Caye, Belize, and competed in the second annual Tres Pescado Slam Fly Fishing tournament. That's where 17-year-old Sam hooked second place overall, earning him an alternate's spot for the IFGA (International Game Fishing Association) Florida Keys Outfitters Inshore World Championship — an event that features only the top 20 professional fly fisherman in the world each year.
"It felt just like any other day of fishing," explained Sam, who will be a senior at St. John's Prep this fall. "You can't take (fishing) too seriously or you'll be stressed out and won't perform as well."
The tournament is called Tres Pescado, or "three fish" in Spanish, because anglers try to reel in one of three kinds of fish: bonefish, tarpon or permit fish. Points are then awarded based on length (in inches) and bonus points for the variety of fish caught.
The Anglers Abroad team finished ahead of the Harts (who chose the name "Fly Guyz") and were the only group to catch a Tarpon in the three days of fishing. In doing so they earned 100 bonus points, which ultimately gave them a 342-264 edge over Sam and his father.
After a poor showing in the amateur division during the previous year's competition, John and Sam decided to get serious and add Belize native Abbie Marin to the team as their guide for the three-day fly fishing extravaganza. Marin's father is a friend of John's, and both Harts agree Marin is the best guide on the island.
"I knew Abbie (before the tournament) and as far as I am concerned, he's the best. We were very fortunate to have him," said the elder Hart, who has a place down in Belize. "He was a major reason we did so well."
With muscle spasms plaguing John for most of the trip, Marin decided to have Sam do all the casting and reeling, while John would simply help record and take pictures of his son's catches.
For John, a man who has been a fly fisherman for a little over 10 years, having a limited role on the boat was a small price to pay to see his son emerge as truly an elite fisherman.
"Sam caught some fish that most people cannot get to. His accuracy is phenomenal," said John. "Sam is a better fisherman than I ever was. He casts farther and is more accurate, so I was very content (to sit out)."
Recently, Sam joined the National Youth Fly Fishing Organization and will try out for the US National Youth fly fishing team, where he can compete until he turns 18. With the possibility of professional fishing and college being just on the horizon, Sam's competitive fishing future is up in the air. One thing is for sure, though; the allure of fly fishing will always be there for Sam — something that warms his father's heart.
"Watching your son do something, playing sports or just having success, is better than doing it yourself," said John. "It's the most wonderful feeling in the world to see him do something I love and to do it better than me. It's very fulfilling to see him out there in rhythm with nature. It's like it's the way things are supposed to be."
