Fishing has long been known as one of the most calming and restorative outdoor activities. Studies show that spending time near water lowers stress hormones, improves mood, sharpens focus, and supports heart health. The slow rhythm of casting, waiting, and breathing in fresh air helps quiet the mind. For many, fishing becomes a form of meditation — a way to disconnect from the noise of daily life and reconnect with oneself, with nature, and with the people who matter.
For three Toronto friends — Rony Santos, Sonny Esporlas, and Eddie Carreon — fishing became exactly that. What started as a simple curiosity more than 25 years ago has grown into a lifelong bond and a shared sanctuary on the shores of Rice Lake, Ontario.
They met at a birthday party decades ago, not knowing that the friendship formed that night would become one of the most enduring relationships of their lives. One day, they decided to try fishing “just for fun.” They went three times, enjoyed it, but didn’t think much of it — until their friend Joey invited them to his trailer at Rice Lake. That trip changed everything. Joey taught them how to fish properly, how to catch the big ones, and how to appreciate the quiet beauty of the lake. Inspired by Joey’s setup, the three friends began dreaming of having a place of their own.
In 2017, they made it happen. Pooling their savings, they bought a trailer in one of the reservation areas at Rice Lake and built a deck with their own hands. They added a motorboat, learned the best fishing spots, and created a place where they could escape the pressures of work, family responsibilities, and city life. For Sonny and Eddie, now retired, the trailer became a second home. For Rony, who still works, it became a refuge — a place to breathe.
They say fishing relieves their stress and, in their words, “can become addictive.” But Rony has a message for first‑time anglers — especially married ones — that adds humor and wisdom to their story: “”Advise lang namin sa kanila huwag silang maadik, gawin lang libangan at pang alis lang ng stress, lalo na sa may asawa, huwag ipagpalit ang pag fifishing sa asawa (Our advice is simple: don’t get addicted to fishing. Keep it as a hobby, something to relieve stress. And for those who are married, never choose fishing over your wife).”
Their Rice Lake retreat is more than a trailer and a boat. It is a testament to friendship that has lasted over 25 years — a friendship strengthened by nature, shared dreams, and the simple joy of being together.
In a world that moves too fast, Rony, Sonny, and Eddie remind us that sometimes the most meaningful places are the ones we build with the people who make life lighter.
