A Fishing Rod Tattoo

Honouring a Lifetime of Memories

Tattooed by Vanessa Presenger of Studio Four Four Nine

For as long as he can remember, Andrew Wojciechowski has loved fishing. His wife says he’s a fishing fanatic.

As a child, Wojciechowski recalls fishing with his grandfather Joe every summer. They were either fishing at camp or at different lakes around Northwestern Ontario, with cousins and other family members. Fishing with Poppa was a regular part of childhood—a rite of passage that every child and grandchild got to experience.

Wojciechowski thinks back to a secret place where Poppa brought them. “He started taking us to a secret lake, which required a day-long portage. We always camped on the same island and even built our own outhouse and a filleting table.” Wojciechowski laughs as he remembers how his grandfather had extra cans of gasoline and bottles of rum buried around the secret island.

The fishing trips came to an end when Wojciechowski started college. His grandfather’s health was getting fragile and he needed open heart surgery. He was no longer able to get out on the lake, but he still loved to sit around with his family, laughing and telling stories from past fishing adventures.

When it was clear his grandfather’s health was declining further, Wojciechowski wanted to do something to honour the memories. His wife Candice drew the fishing rod design and it was tattooed by Vanessa Presenger, owner of Studio Four Four Nine. Thankfully Wojciechowski was able to show his grandfather the finished tattoo a few short days before he died.

Wojciechowski still loves fishing and can’t wait to take his twin sons out as soon as they’re old enough. Every time Wojciechowski casts his line or reels in a fish, that tattoo is right there on his forearm, reminding him of all the amazing days with his Poppa. While he might not be here earthside anymore, he’s always on the water. After all, old anglers don’t die, they just move on to the next secret lake.