“New Fish”
by Nathan Ochirsukh

I chose to make this drawing because fishing holds a special place in my heart. It is something that creates great memories for myself and it has taught me much from a young age. Some of my earliest memories are sitting at the dock with my dad, and staring down at the water to see if anything is there. The sun rays making me sweat, the sound of the water moving, and the feeling of waiting for a bite are experiences that have stayed with me for years.

My dad taught me how to fish, but it was fishing that taught me the most lessons. It taught me patience, because fishing is always unpredictable. It also taught me to respect nature and how much beauty is outside. Even if I had to stand for hours in the rain with nothing happening casting out my line over and over, I learned to appreciate the calm and continued trying anyway. And my patience was rewarded with a nice salmon of my own. Those moments taught me persistence and self-control.

When I meet others who fish, even if they are strangers, there is always a joy to ask if anything is biting, or what kind of bait is working the best. These interactions may be small but it’s nice to know others share the same respect for the water as you do.

Through this artwork, I wanted to capture the joys of fishing and how rewarding it can be. It serves as one of my greatest memories because that salmon is the first one I have ever caught in Washington because I came from Kansas City. My goal is for viewers who may know nothing about fishing to still understand the emotions behind it and to have the same respect for the water like I do.