On the morning of June 4, 2026, I met Jack at the 70 West Marina on the Crystal Coast in Morehead City for a half day inshore trip that ran from 07:00 to 11:00. We shoved off before the sun had fully risen, enjoying the quiet of an early start as we ran to the first flat. We notched an immediate reward when a school of sea trout greeted us at our first stop. Jack made a clean, confident cast without spooking them and connected on the first fish—an excellent way to open the day. We continued to pull the flats for the next hour and added two redfish to the tally. Jack was a beginner, but he carried himself with steady focus and enthusiasm, and his nerves never showed as he worked the rod and learned the rhythms of sight-fishing. After a break for lunch the bite quieted and the rest of our day was more relaxed, with less action in the water. As we ran back toward the marina, a pod of porpoises appeared off the starboard side, putting a big smile on Jack’s face and capping the trip on a memorable note. It was a good morning on the water, and I look forward to getting Jack back out on the boat again.