As I endure the winter in Alaska, there comes a moment when I always long for the summer's fishy scent and the thrill of fishing.

The only escape that helps me endure the tough immigrant life is freshwater fishing in Alaska.

For me, summer in Alaska is a gift that I look forward to even more than dividends. Just a 15-minute drive from home leads to rivers and forests, and the moment I cast my line there washes away all the fatigue of immigrant life.

The heart of Alaska's freshwater fishing is undoubtedly salmon. When king salmon, red salmon, and silver salmon swim upstream each season, the Kenai River and Easy Creek become a true festival. The thrill when the reel screams as it runs out while waiting for a bite cannot be described merely as a hobby.

In that moment when the strength of the salmon swimming upstream meets the strength of my arms, I tell myself that I am still alive and that I too am enduring and rising in this land. This is the first true taste felt by a man in his 40s.

Fishing in Alaska is about facing nature head-on. The sound of melting snow, the scent of conifers, and casting under the midnight sun. All these moments refresh both body and mind.

The true taste of fishing is completed when I return home. Filling the cooler with salmon, cleaning them myself, slicing them for sashimi, and cooking spicy soup to share with family. When my children give a thumbs up and smile, the feeling of fatigue melts away like snow.

As we approach 2026, I want to encourage those who have yet to pick up a fishing rod. A good fishing rod and waders are the best investment you can make for yourself. Ask your seniors for advice and learn, building connections within the immigrant community one by one. When you log out of the overwhelming daily life and connect to the main screen of nature, the balance of life is restored.

The true meaning of freshwater fishing in Alaska is ultimately recovery. Just as we catch salmon from the rough waters, we lift ourselves up again from the harshness of life.

May you endure healthily this year, be cautious of both bears and mosquitoes, and drive safely when you go fishing.