Off the Hook: Alex Catches Fish in All 77 OK Counties 

Few ten-year-olds can rattle off the names of all 77 Oklahoma counties with ease, but it’s simple for Alex Turner because he has distinct memories of visiting each one. For two-and-a-half years, Alex and his dad, Neil, traveled the state with the goal of catching a fish in each county. Besides catching fish, Alex caught the travel bug. He learned some geography, discovered a lot of Oklahoma history, and practiced a ton of patience. 

Fishing for Adventure 

Alex’s story began with a tent and a volcano….and it ended with chocolate cake. 

“It started during Covid,” said Neil. “We were all packed into the house. It was hard for Alex to focus on schoolwork, so I loaded a tent onto the truck, and we hit the road.” 

One morning in New Mexico, Alex completed a science lesson about volcanoes. Shortly afterward, they drove past a real volcano. “It was a moment of serendipity! We immediately pulled over and took a hike,” Neil said. “All of a sudden, Alex realized learning was an adventure!” 

“What Dad didn’t say was that I thought I hated learning,” Alex said, “but on the road, if I got my schoolwork done, there was more time to explore.” 

After their extended road trip, Neil homeschooled Alex as a stay-at-home dad. They began seeking experiences closer to home. Following a fishing clinic in Leflore County, Alex realized that he had caught fish in five of Oklahoma’s counties. Could he try for all 77 counties? 

“I wasn’t a great fisherman, but I figured we could see the state,” Neil said. “Along the way, we had so many adventures, like mushroom farming, cotton ginning, an archaeological dig, a wastewater treatment plant tour…” 

“Don’t forget about the fishing, Dad,” Alex said. 

“Go ahead. Tell about your favorite fish,” Neil said. 

“It was on Doc Hollis Lake in Greer County,” Alex said eagerly. “The water was perfectly clear and we could see all the fish, but no luck. We had to go back another day, but that time, I caught a bass in the first five minutes. I caught it before Dad even finished rigging up his line.” Alex grinned with obvious glee. 

Neil and Alex shared other fish stories, which varied widely by county. Some fish came easily, some got away, and once, they arrived at a lake to find it drained dry. “It took patience. Sometimes we’d pack up and go home,” Neil said. “It became a lesson in handling disappointment.” 

During their travels, helpful people guided them to the best fishing spots, from city creeks to private farm ponds. The Turners began creating videos of their explorations, which have been used by teachers and parents around the world. Alex, who has autism, helps with the narration, editing, and grammar as part of his schoolwork. 

“It’s hard to believe he was non-verbal until he was three, starting to talk at five, and was narrating videos by the age of six,” Neil said. 

Final Fish Story 

August 8th was the day Alex hoped to catch his 77th fish. It was his seventh time to attempt Lincoln County. With the added pressure of a supportive audience and news crew, Alex prepared his line. He could almost taste success. 

“I remember saying, ‘I can already taste the chocolate cake!’” Alex said. 

Sure enough, a fish cooperated, and celebration was in order. It was time for chocolate cake. 

“Just think––if we hadn’t gone on that road trip during Covid, we might still be fighting through schoolwork,” said Neil. “We would have missed out on this great adventure.” 

Visit okieschool.org for more information. Alex’s video channel is called Okie School of Adventure and Charm.