The Power of Unplugging on the Water

For the past 20 years, Nicole Endsley and her husband, Mercury Pro Team member Rob Endsley, have spent their summers making a living on the water, running Prince of Wales Sportfishing in Craig, Alaska. It’s a business that sees them guiding anglers from all over the globe to world-class salmon fishing. But running a business is not the only thing they’re focused on while being away from shore. They’ve also raised their two girls, Ava, age 12, and Emma, age 9, on the boat, sharing the water with them for an experience that has been full of wonder, joy and growth.

Ava and Emma have gained an appreciation for wide-open spaces, exploring remote islands, recognizing natural beauty, observing healthy ecosystems and sea life, swimming and playing in the ocean, cooking in the outdoors, and harvesting their own berries and seafood.

They’ve developed a regard for simple pleasures like star gazing and making and enjoying a meal together. Because of that, they’ve learned that happiness isn’t about possessions; it’s about connections and experiences, family and the beauty of nature.

“Each and every day on the boat is a gift, and we make sure Ava and Emma are aware of just how fortunate they are to be able to experience the world from such a unique perspective,” said Nicole. “By being on the water, our girls are afforded the opportunity to have a deep connection with nature while learning how to be resourceful and resilient.”

With her background in elementary education, Nicole understands the importance of teaching life skills both in and out of the classroom. She applies this philosophy to her time on the water, where boating has become an educationally immersive experience for her children. Nicole loves seeing her daughters take the helm, make their own decisions and follow their curiosities. And it is this curiosity that has helped to foster a deep love for exploring and adventure.

While they’re on the boat, Rob and Nicole have worked very hard at creating some routines for their girls. “It’s not a free-for-all. The girls are expected to pitch in,” reported Nicole. “Being intentional with our girls is still one of our main objectives.”

For the Endsleys, it’s a life of perpetual reinvention, providing countless opportunities to experience nature and the world around them. What they experience from day to day is constantly changing, from the marine life they encounter to the people they meet along the way. No two days are exactly alike, and there is never a dull moment.

Because of the Endsleys’ sportfishing business, the girls have gotten to meet a lot of wonderful people, and have made some pretty special relationships with some of them, especially the ones who come back year after year. These annual visits allow the girls to reconnect, share stories and forge lasting bonds.

One of the ways the girls have achieved autonomy is through fishing. And while their go-to fish to catch is rockfish, they absolutely glow when they reel in a king salmon. Catching a king is hard work, and it can get pretty emotional for Ava and Emma, but they refuse to let mom and dad help them. Because of that, there can be frustration, tears and disappointment when one gets away, but when they are successful, the excitement and joy is palpable.

The Beauty of a Life Offshore

Raising their two girls on their boat has enabled the Endsleys to get incredibly close as a family. After all, when you spend a lot of time in close quarters, there really isn’t an alternative. Fortunately, the Endsleys love spending time together. And sharing meals and other experiences has afforded them the opportunity to maintain that level of closeness.  

One of their favorite meals to share is fish tacos with homemade mango salsa with plenty of cilantro and lime. And because the girls play an active role in catching and preparing the fish they catch, they have developed a profound sense of gratitude for all that they have.

It’s a life that has instilled in the girls a deep awareness of their environment, and their relationship to it. They’ve learned how the choices they make impact the world, and that being good stewards of the environment means reducing waste and conserving vital resources.

One of the ways the Endsley family helps to reduce waste is by keeping single-use plastic water bottles off the boat. Instead, they use a large refillable YETI® cooler to refill color-coded water bottles that they distribute to all their fishing guests to use onboard. It’s a simple, yet impactful change – one that has caught on with other charter operations.

Teaching Their Girls How to Be Independent

While developing a keen awareness of the world around them, the girls have also had the opportunity to sharpen their decision-making skills. “Being able to work their way through life’s many challenges is critical, and life on the boat affords Ava and Emma the opportunity to think on their feet and develop the confidence needed to make tough decisions,” offered Nicole.

Things like learning how to operate a boat and navigate the water has helped instill a quiet, yet profound confidence. Nicole knows Rob has played an essential role in this area. “Rob has been a father, a coach and a mentor to them,” she offered. “He is incredibly patient, teaching them everything from how to tie a knot to the right way to handle fishing gear.”

By learning these kinds of skills, Ava and Emma have gained confidence in their ability to handle new situations, which has made them even more independent.

As parents, Rob and Nicole hope that Ava’s and Emma’s confidence and love for the water continue to grow and that someday they will be able to share their experiences with their friends and their own families in a way that enriches their lives, too. After all, isn’t that what life is all about!