The past 12 months have been a time of big change for me: I retired, lost my fur-baby, and started planning the next exciting stage of our life. We also traveled A LOT, including fishing trips to Guatemala, California, Panama and Alaska. Fortunately, I have photos to remember the many twists and turns of my life. They enable me to celebrate how fortunate I am. Here are some of my favorites:
California White Sea Bass
A once-in-a-lifetime fish? How about TWO in TWO DAYS! I now know how lucky I am, and I’m so grateful to Big Bass Dreams, Riley, and Oliver Ngy for helping make this dream a reality. Some fishing memories are hard to beat, and this is definitely one of them!
El Gallo
Rooster passed away just two days before our Panama trip. When the first fish I caught was a roosterfish, it meant more to me than words can explain. I couldn’t help but feel like my Rooster was right there with me, watching over me. Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is a special place but this year I felt as if it was heaven on earth.
Adrenaline Rush
My fishing friends have a way of getting me to do things I never thought I would, like white-water rafting! Thankfully, we survived, and I’m so glad they pushed me to try it. Whether we’re tackling rapids or fishing from an inflatable raft that’s starting to sink, we always find a way to laugh until we can’t laugh anymore. Sometimes the best memories aren’t about the fish we catch, but the friends who make every adventure unforgettable.
Trophy Trout on the Fly
This year in Alaska, I caught my personal-best rainbow trout at 27 inches! Considering I’m not exactly a fly-fishing expert, you can imagine my shock and excitement. It was one of those moments that reminds you why you keep trying something new.
Of course, now I have a new goal, a 30+ inch trophy rainbow trout! And I’m hoping to make that dream come true when we return to Bear Trail Lodge next year. The countdown to another Alaska adventure is officially on!
O-Fish-Ally Retired
Yep, it happened in May! As we get older, we talk about retirement, but do we ever really think that day will come? Well, it did for me, and I’m not sure how I ever had a job because I seem to be busier than ever!
The best part is that I now have more time to coordinate group fishing trips and help others experience their own trip of a lifetime. Retirement looks a little different when you love what you do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Simple Life
The best picture of all, my boy, sitting at a picnic table, happily eating a sandwich, munching on his crackers, and, of course, enjoying a Diet Dr Pepper!
His retirement dream was simple, drive to all our fishing destinations and enjoy daily picnics along the way. It makes me smile because those picnic lunches bring back memories of my family doing the same thing on our vacations growing up. Of course, I have to laugh because I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have lasted 10 minutes on one of our family vacations.
Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make the best memories. And if retirement means more adventures, picnic lunches, and time doing what you love, I’d say he’s figured it out!
Not all of the pictures that made an impact on my year are fishing related. Some are a little closer to my heart in other ways.
RIP Rooster
I lost my fur baby, my most aus-some, aus-hole, and one I will never forget. Oh, how our pets find their way into our hearts and leave paw prints that never go away. (Yep, I’m tearing up just writing this.)
Family Time
But even after a few tears I think about the happy memories: spending time with my Chicago family in California for my flower girl’s wedding, and traveling with my dad. Now I’m smiling.
Life is a mix of tears, laughter, love, and memories. These pictures remind me just how lucky I am to have experienced it all.
2026 was a year of big changes for the Robbins — most of them good (despite a few tears along the way) and lots of fishing trips. Check out Hanna’s favorite photo memories of the year gone by.