“I’m Lowkey So Proud of Myself”... How One Kid, One Cast, and One Clip Took Over the Fishing World

The Fly Box LLC
Jun 20, 2025
4 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world—all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.

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Every once in a while, a kid goes fishing, catches a big one, and the whole world notices.

That’s what happened to Joe, the face behind Fishing With Da Boys—a viral moment turned movement that’s bigger than just one cast or one clip. If you’ve scrolled Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen him: rod in hand, pure joy on his face, and the now-iconic line: “I’m lowkey so proud of myself.”

Turns out, so is the entire internet.

From Justin Bieber to The Rock to ESPN, Joe’s big catch got picked up by just about every corner of the online world. But this story isn’t about algorithms or influencer deals—it’s about something refreshingly simple: fishing with your friends and falling in love with it.

The First Cast

Joe started fishing two years ago when his Uncle Danny gave him his first rod. Like most kids, he didn’t have a fancy boat or high-end gear, just a $20 setup and a neighborhood pond full of bluegill and bass.

They moved in 2024, so he had to pause the hobby for a while. But once the lines were wet again, things clicked fast. Joe caught four fish the day he filmed the video that changed everything.

The last one, his biggest ever, is the one that sparked it all.

“Some guy said I should make a video of it,” he told us. “Then Justin Bieber posted it… that’s when I knew.”

From there, it spread like wildfire.'''My friends from Minnesota called me on a group call to tell me they had seen me online."

Fishing, Football & Viral Fame

Joe’s not just a fisherman—he’s a football player, a die hard Bears, and Huskers fan, and a kid with a real curiosity about the world.

So when ESPN picked up his video, it hit different.

“I play football, so I watch ESPN. To see myself on their page with all the athletes was awesome.”

He’s already brushed digital shoulders with Post Malone, and Jake Owen. And thanks to some gear hookups and support from fishing brands, Joe’s been able to chase even bigger adventures, like shark fishing in Marco Island and a full-on Florida Keys trip with the crew from Saltwater Experience.

Still, he’s keeping it grounded.

“I usually go fishing with my brother and neighborhood buddies. But I’m hoping to turn it into something bigger and meet a lot of new people all over the world.”

The dream? Fish all 50 states. And maybe get a few NFL players on the water while he’s at it.

No Flash, Just Fun

Joe’s message is simple, and it cuts through all the noise.

“Get outside and have fun. It’s way better than video games.”

That hits harder than you'd expect in a world that’s constantly trying to sell the next shiny thing. Joe doesn’t care about trends. He just likes fishing. And he wants other people—especially kids—to know they don’t need expensive rods or perfect technique to start.

“You don’t have to have the most expensive equipment to fish. The first rod I bought was $20.”

That’s it. That’s the spirit. Pure. Unfiltered. And surprisingly rare.

What’s Next for the Boys

Right now, Fishing With Da Boys is casual—just clips, memories, and moments. But the momentum is real, and Joe’s thinking about launching a YouTube channel to share longer videos and behind-the-scenes content.

He’s already landed a podcast interview with Tom Rowland, he’s got 36,000 followers and counting, and he’s been invited on trips, collaborations, and more.

But he hasn’t forgotten where it started—or who helped.

“I want to thank my mom and dad, my brothers, my friends, my football coaches, and my teammates on the Knights. I’m hoping to take my team fishing with me soon.”

Whether it’s a backwater pond or the Florida Keys, Joe’s turning fishing into something way bigger than content.

He’s turning it into a community.

Be Lowkey Proud of Yourself

This isn’t a story about follower counts or viral fame.

It’s about how quickly the outdoors can bring people together.

It’s about the power of a genuine smile, a first fish, and the kind of humble pride you can’t fake. It’s about Fishing With Da Boys—literally and metaphorically—and how that one simple idea can ripple across the internet and into the real world.

So the next time you catch something big—or small—or just make a memory that matters...

Go ahead. Be like Joe.

Be lowkey so proud of yourself.

Where To Follow Joe:

TikTok: @FishingWithDaBoys
Instagram: @FishingWithDaBoys

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.