Under the warm glow of the afternoon sun, a local fisherman shared his passion for the sport, recounting tales of changing bait preferences and the thrill of the catch. “When I first started out here, they were hitting on chicken breast,” he reminisced, noting how the fish's tastes have evolved over the years. “Now, it’s all about the weenie hot dog, but even that has its time.”

As he spoke, the conversation shifted to the current fishing conditions. “I’m using some stink bait, and it really stinks,” he chuckled, hopeful that it would attract some bites. His enthusiasm was palpable, especially when he described the joy of fishing when the fish are biting. “It’s great,” he said, his eyes lighting up at the thought.

Fishing, however, is not without its challenges. “Trout is kinda hard fishing for,” he explained, detailing the technique of setting the hook when a fish pulls on the line. He proudly shared that the largest trout he caught weighed in at 15 pounds, although he prefers to practice catch and release. “I’ve been fishing here for 60 years,” he said, reflecting on his experiences. “You live to fight another day.”

The conversation then took a turn as he recalled a recent visit to Escarte Park, where he observed the bustling activity around Evans Oval, El Paso’s first modern racetrack built in 1939. “I had a hard time believing that cars were just zooming around this place,” he noted, intrigued by the vibrant atmosphere that surrounded the historic site.

As the day unfolded, it became clear that both fishing and racing hold a special place in the hearts of El Paso residents, weaving together stories of tradition, community, and the simple joys of life.