I’ve seen many a confused look on his playschool playmates faces as he chats away about all sorts of fishing-related lingo. It’s the kind of passion that some spend a lifetime searching for.
If you ask him what sort of fishing he likes he’ll chuckle and say “any kind of fishing”. He can tie flys, rig cut plugs, spey cast, set his own hooks, when asked what he wanted to do for his 5th birthday party he shouted “Halibut fishing in Nootka!!”.
He’s just as happy to catch and release as he is to cook up and eat any of his catches. While other 4 year olds are watching cartoons this guy is watching captain Quinn Weekly ‘Cast Northwest’. 
He is almost 5 and is filled with old salty soul fishing magic as well as an imagination and zest that can bring a smile to even the coldest heart. He is truly one of a kind.
He’ll walk up to any fisher person inspect their catch, ask what they were using, and rattle off some sort of fishing story back at them. I have no doubt in my mind that his life with be one packed with fish tales and adventure. 
Just yesterday he reeled in an 18 pound Chinook Salmon off the Quadra Island lighthouse near Campbell River. I am confident that you haven’t seen the last of this little legend.
Photos and words courtesy of Vancouver Island based photographer Erin Wallis. Check out Erin’s work on her website at http://www.erinwallis.com. And follow along with Westley at @oldbabymen.
https://flylordsmag.com/single-post/2017/07/10/5-tips-getting-kids-hooked-on-fly-fishing/
https://flylordsmag.com/single-post/2017/10/26/start-them-young-teaching-my-son-to-love-fly-fishing/
https://flylordsmag.com/single-post/2017/02/14/Parenting-Done-Right—Go-Fly-Fishing/
