"Fishing, with me, has always been an excuse to drink in the daytime." - Jimmy Cannon

It was a sunny day in late summer, the kind of day that usually made people want to grab a cold beer and enjoy the great outdoors. For some, that meant hitting the beach or taking a dip in the lake. But for 50-year-old Jimmy Cannon, it meant one thing: fishing. And as he settled into his favorite spot on the dock, a nearby cooler stocked with beers and sandwiches, he chuckled to himself when thinking back on his life-long love of fishing. "Fishing, with me, has always been an excuse to drink in the daytime," he said with a grin, shaking his head at the irony.

Cannon's love affair with fishing began when he was just a kid growing up in the Midwest. His dad had been a avid fisherman, and he would take Jimmy and his siblings out on the lake every summer weekend, whether they wanted to go or not. Over time, the trips became more than just an annual tradition - they became a time for the family to spend quality time together, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

But as Cannon grew older, his love of fishing only deepened. He started taking solo trips to the lake, just him and his rod, and found that he loved the solitude and peace of being out on the water. He'd spend hours sitting there, watching the sun rise and set, and waiting for a bite. And of course, he'd often bring a six-pack or two to enjoy along the way. "It was just part of the experience," he said with a shrug. "The drinking and fishing, they just went hand in hand."

As Cannon got older, his approaches to fishing changed. He started trying new techniques and experimenting with different lures. He read books and articles, joined online forums and talked to other fishermen to learn more. But one thing remained constant: his love of drinking while fishing. "It's not just about the fishing," he said. "It's about the experience - the camaraderie, the relaxation, the chance to disconnect from the world. And for me, that usually means having a beer or two (or three, or four...) along the way."

For some, Cannon's love of drinking while fishing might seem excessive, even irresponsible. But Cannon's friends and family know him well enough to know that he's a responsible guy who can hold his own when it comes to a few beers. "Jimmy's always been someone who knows his limits," said his best friend, Tom. "He's not one to overdo it, and he's never gotten sloppy or rowdy on the water."

And Cannon's fishing buddies would agree. "We've all had our share of beers on the lake," said one friend, Joe. "But with Jimmy, it's just part of the routine. We joke about it all the time - 'Okay, Jimmy, time to have a beer!' It's just what we expect from him."

Of course, there's always the risk of accidents or mishaps when drinking and fishing. One wrong move while casting can result in a splash of beer or a slippery boat. But Cannon and his crew have been doing this for years, and they've learned to navigate the waters (both literally and figuratively) with ease.

As the sun began to set, Cannon packed up his gear and headed back to shore. He cracked open one last beer, feeling content and relaxed after a day on the water. "Fishing, with me, has always been an excuse to drink in the daytime," he repeated to himself, chuckling. And he knew that he'd be back on the lake again soon, cooler in tow, ready to take on another day of fishing and drinking his way to a good time.