A SKIING FISHERMAN’S STORY
The idea of flow - encapsulated in Chester’s latest body ink.
Welcome to our brand new series:
Friends of D.uh Outdoors
In conversation with D.uh Founder, Jess, and wavy people in Singapore that have chosen to zig when everyone zagged. Join her as she seeks out the secret formula to flow, balance and how one’s life can change simply by going out into nature to experiment. experience. explore.
Enter ChesTER.
Affable. Happy-go-lucky. Educator. Skiier. Fisherman.
I first met Chester at a music festival. First impression? This dude really knew how to live life. Fast forward 4 years, that has only amplified.
My admiration for Chester stems from his love for his craft and willingness to impart knowledge. By craft, we’re talking fish. Back in 2020, Chester took it upon himself to turn my best friend and I into fish whisperers, explaining what tackle was necessary and very patiently, the knots that were tantamount for success. Imparting precious knowledge acquired through 15 years of fishing.
Chester first learnt the ways of the trade through his now-retired best-hor-fun-in-Singapore hawker uncle, and now passes on the stoke as a part-time fishing guru. This burning passion also extends to skiing. 23 years floating down mountains. Even clocking in powder time as a ski guide in snow town Niseko, Japan.
In this conversation, I spoke to him about his connection with both the oceans and mountains, and how that has inevitably affected his life.
Chester off-shore fishing with his friend Tedmond.
This conversation took us long enough! We were supposed to chat out at sea.
We’re usually too busy and kanchiong (excited). We just want to fish!
SO HOW DID you GET into fishing?
I was introduced by this close hawker uncle of mine. I used to buy the most legit Hor Fun from him when I was 7 years old! He took me in like a Godson. He had his own boat and always asked 儿子要不要去钓鱼? (Son, do you want to go fishing?).
My first trip out was just the both of us and I hooked 4 big fishes! That literally got me hooked onto fishing. I thought, “wah fishing is so easy”. Maybe I had some affinity with fishing. I don’t know. Either way, there is a certain charm to fishing.
Ever since then I got my own equipment and went fishing with him and his friends. I did a lot of shore fishing in the past when I had no money. Once I had money, boat fishing was the way to go!
Showing off the prized Queen Fish we caught along Bedok Jetty.
YES YOU’VE DEFINITELY GOT ME HOOKED ONTO BOAT FISHING! ANY EXCITING FISHING STORIES TO SHARE?
During my army days, I used to fish on Tekong. I’d catch crabs too. I even lost a biggie. It was a one way ticket. An 8 - 10kg Kim Bak Lor (Barramundi). I was using light tackle. The fish just pulled and ran. That’s when my line snapped. There are a lot of legendary Tekong stories, especially since it’s a restricted area.
“Wild barramundis are great fighters. They seldom move around like other fishes.”
- Shore Angler (Our go-to resource on local fish)
AH WHAT A PITY. What was the biggest you’ve landed in Singapore?
While the biggest i’ve landed is a 6kg Kim Bak Lor, i’ve hooked a cobia before. It came up to the boat three times. Each time it came to the boat it would run. Fought for about 10 minutes and on the third dash, it straightened my hook.
“Cobia in Singapore is considered as another surf caster game fish. Not only is it rare to catch. It is a very strong mid-water fighter when this fish grows above 10kg.”
SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY’RE TOO IMPATIENT TO FISH. What keeps you going?
It’s my getaway. I always joke that it’s my way of going overseas. Because you’re literally over the seas. There’s a sense of freedom over the water. The challenge of catching a fish. And landing the fish. That’s the reward for your hard work at the end of the day. Some days you have bad days when you don’t catch anything. But that’s all part and parcel of fishing.
It’s sustainable all year round and other places in the world as well.
Not the cheapest but it’s too exciting.
Catch or no catch, it’s always a good time.
WHAT I REALISED about fishing is that you’re ALWAYS PUT IN YOUR PLACE. EGO IS THROWN OUT THE WINDOW.
Haha yes! I like to say that when you thought you knew something, something happens that throws that theory out of the window.
Everyone has different ideas, but who is ever right? There are too many factors that goes into fishing. You can only predict so much.
At the end of the day, there is a lot of luck involved. You can only increase your chances by knowing the terrain.
I believe there are better fisherman than others, but luck plays a big factor.
Yes I agree! humans have this tendency to want to always be in control. Mother Nature has taught me otherwise. Sometimes we just need to GO WITH THE FLOW and accept that WE CAN’T CONTROL EVERYTHING.
In both fishing and skiing, it’s you against mother nature. When you fight a fish, one thing has to give way. If the fish is too strong, your line might snap. If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be. It’s a very raw connection with mother nature. That feeling is what got me super excited about mother nature.
Take skiing for example, much like fishing, you are very reliant on Mother Nature. Once Mother Nature decides to say no. That’s it. She can take away everything in an instant. Be it an avalanche or a huge thunderstorm.
It has taught me to respect mother nature.
Chester cruising down snowcapped mountains.
These sports need nature, to be within nature. You can’t do without nature. BUT THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT SO INCREDIBLE.
Exactly. With skiing, there are zen moments where I reach a level of flow. Man, the feeling where you’re in waist-deep powder. It feels like you’re floating in clouds. And you just get this immense joy that is indescribable.
You see everyone’s faces around you and you hear screams of ecstasy as you go down the mountain in fresh powder. There’s nothing like being one with the mountain.
WHAT ABOUT TEACHING? Why did you decide to do so?
Helping people is very important to me. And passion. It is really passion for the sport that I wanted to share these wonderful sports with other people. If I can derive so much joy out of it, i’d love to have other people experience this joy as well.
What do you think will help people experience this joy?
For fishing, it’s really to have that fish at the end of the line. That joy is unparalleled.
Skiing is a very personal sport. It is you against the mountain. There’s nobody else. You progress at your own pace. The joy is going down and gaining speed, control and feeling the wind on your face.
Some people are adrenaline junkies, but I don’t think you need that to enjoy the sport. Some people like to go slow and be in control, just as long as you’re flowing with nature.
Pow(der) wow.
On nature versus nurture.
I didn’t have cable TV growing up. No cartoon network. I was always out in nature. In the drains, climbing trees etc. Thinking back, I was honestly quite lucky.
Unfortunately, we are products of the system. Singaporeans are sucked into capitalism. We always want more more more more. And it happens to me too. I want new rods, I want new skis, I want new tackle.
HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF THAT MINDSET? ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR D.UH READERS?
Money is important but never stop doing what you love. It’s very important in making you a happy person. Do what you love. Focus on yourself. And through that process, you will find happiness.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU CHES?
I’m excited because my buddies and I have finally signed up for a scuba diving course!
