Fishing Lessons: Catch of the Day with Fish and Memories
Head out for a day on the lake to remember the lessons of years gone by to land the desired catch with Fishing Lessons.
A very kind friend passed along her copy of Fishing Lessons to me a few months ago, and it seemed like the right time to bring out this game! I was actually surprised to learn that it was a programming sort of puzzle with a theme about remembering the lessons passed down from a lost loved one. Quite interesting, and to off to this tabletop lake I went!
Game Overview
Game Name: Fishing Lessons
Publication Year: 2022
Designer: Scott Almes
Artist: Nivea Toliver
Publisher: Button Shy
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
With the help of different lessons, fish are flipped over to try to complete the specific goal of a family member. The programming sequence offers some thoughtful choices about how the lake changes each turn, yet it all flows by like a quiet, lazy day spent near a sunny lakeshore!
First Play
January 1, 2024
Complexity
2
Latest Play
January 3, 2024
Expansions
2
Setup Time
Almost None
Lifetime Plays
4
Play Time
10 Minutes
High Score
N/A
Game Area
22" x 12"
Low Score
N/A
Joyful & Poignant
The focus of the game is on Leland and all of the lessons he taught his family members out on the lake. But there’s one important thing to note… Leland passed away.
I didn’t expect to come across this, yet it’s done in a most beautiful way. This is about keeping those we’ve lost with us through the lessons and memories we shared.
Not at all what I figured I would be thinking about when I opened the rulebook, but it was a reminder about life.
This is a theme that might not appeal to everyone. I was happy about the lesson that went beyond mere fishing.
Off to the Lake
Already surprised by the theme, I also wasn’t prepared to find out the main mechanic… Programming!
I don’t have a lot of these sorts of games, but they often involve creating a sequence in order to achieve a goal. It’s important to be able to see the patterns and what changes.
Leland’s lessons form the basis for the sequence, which flips lake cards. Fish become visible or hidden, all with the goal of meeting the family member’s requirements.
With multiple difficulty levels, this one can be tailored to be exactly what a player desires in terms of complexity.
A Day on the Water
My randomly drawn family member was Zoe, Leland’s granddaughter. Her little blurb was fantastic, and made me smile. Way to slip in a terrible fishing pun. I loved it!
One criticism is how static these family members are, and I could see it. They don’t have special abilities, and their different goals all equate to almost identical outcomes.
Still, I adored the artwork and the general sense of calm. I didn’t struggle with the rules, and dove right in!
I actually saw how I had already won after a couple of turns, so I turned up the difficulty to the hardest level.
Searching for Fish
Such a neat sequence of play! All of the lake cards started out face-down, so part of what I had to do was identify what was lurking down there, then lure in the right fish.
So close! My first outing ended up with a single card I needed flipped over, but I got right back to it and won!
I enjoyed the challenge, and additional variants can make it even more difficult. However, it’s possible to simply claim a victory after each card or turn. Very relaxing.
Was it the best? No. Yet it surprised me in its pleasantness and how it went far beyond just a simple fishing theme.
Waves of Nostalgia and Memorable Lessons
I didn’t think this one was going to do much for me with the mechanics presented. Gameplay itself was fun enough, and I can see it improving with some additions. But it was the theme that really stuck with me. Leland’s lessons seemed to jump out of the cards as I played them, and I could imagine those happy days spent on the lake. Imaginary, yet lovely.
Games are meant to be enjoyed for a variety of reasons, and sometimes, we never know which ones will strike a chord! That’s why I always try to find the positives in every game. If it’s not for me, it might be the perfect choice for someone else. Thinking about the lesson cards made me pause to remember all of the lessons I’ve picked up along the way.
As time marches on and a new year begins with 2024, I appreciate these little nudges to remember what’s important and why it’s so nice to spread positivity. We’re not going to be around forever. That’s not meant as a shocking revelation… Just a gentle reminder that for me, at least, I hope some of the lessons I leave behind bring some happiness!
Session Overview
Play Number: 1 & 2
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
Play Details: Hard Difficulty Level
Outcome: 1 Win & 1 Loss
Simply charming! I didn’t feel like there was a ton of variety, yet there are still variants and expansions to try out. The puzzle was fun and engaging to work through, and I can see this being a very leisurely way to pass some time while thinking through decisions. Nice to be reminded of the important things in life with a game, too! I had a very nice time playing, and appreciated its lessons.
%
1 Play
Affordability
Price & Value
8
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
7
Quality
Components & Rules
10
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
5
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
4
+ Pros (Positives)
- All of the artwork is charming and relaxing, depicting a happy family having some fun on a sunny day of fishing.
- The theme of using learned lessons from a loved one who passed on is a poignant and insightful sort of reminder.
- Creating a programming sequence is an interesting puzzle that comes with actions and funny flavor text.
- Adjusting the difficulty level is simple to do when evaluating the goal, and additional variants are included.
- Large text and examples on the lesson cards make it easy to see everything and proceed through the sequence.
- Moving the boat above the lake cards is easy and fun, but it also forms an interesting strategy around movement.
– Cons (Negatives)
- There isn’t a lot of variety, particularly with the family members, who all play pretty much exactly the same.
- Difficulty levels seem to vary between very easy and relaxing to extremely challenging and a bit luck-based.
- It’s possible to avoid a programming sequence beyond 1-2 cards, which sort of gets away from the core gameplay.
- Expansions seem to be needed to bump up the variety in order to enjoy the game beyond a handful of plays.
Victory Conditions
Complete the Goal
- Overall Goal Progress 83%
Goals and Milestones
Win at least 1 game at the hard difficulty level.
Win at least 1 game with the Night Fishing variant.
Win at least 1 game with a sequence of 5 lesson cards.
Win at least 1 game with the Fabled Fish expansion.
Win at least 1 game with the Family Friends expansion.
Win at least 1 game with a sequence of 6 lesson cards.
Continue the Conversation
Have you played Fishing Lessons? Are there any lessons it taught you, or other games that reminded you of aspects outside of games? Definitely a pleasant surprise! Maybe this won’t make it into my top games, but not every game needs to do that to leave an impression. Here’s to hoping we all take some lessons with us… And leave many behind!
Nice review of a game I have been interested in but never got to print out because… life and more exciting things coming up all the time.
Thank you! Hope you have some fun when you get a chance to play. Very enjoyable and one I’ll be returning to at some point soon!