There is something mystical about fishing at night. I have noticed that darkness has a peculiar effect on fishermen. It tends to pull their feelings to the surface along with their fish. I think you’ll agree that sharing any emotion is a dramatic transformation for my gender. We grown-up boys are generally about as touchy-feely as armadillos.

But in my short experience, I can assure you that more inner secrets have been shared at 3 a.m. in a boat or on a pier than will ever come forth during a counseling session. That’s not to say fishermen don’t have boundaries. They will happily provide details about their wife’s snoring, but they are not likely to reveal the location of a productive snook-catching spot. Still, you would be surprised at the conversations that are whispered under the stars.