Self taught, always had a facination with the ocean, fished with small dip nets as a child in Asia, did it mostly to get a closer look at the fish, and try to understand how they "work," without killing them. Moved over to a rod when I found one of my dad's old ones (rarely used), caught a few fish with it, they were bigger than what I was catching with the small nets, got my own rod for my birthday from my grandmother (Shakespeare, telescopic, 6 ft, 8-12 lb test) when I was about 6-7, took it everywhere I went on vacation around Asia.
Only owned 1-2 rods until I came to Canada at age 12, have been amassing rods ever since, up until the 20+ rods I own today. Gradually progressed from sight fishing with bait under a dock to pulling lures, to fly fishing, ending with a job power-mooching cut-plugs in the QCI's.
Dad never really saw the point of fishing in Asia (I know Rodney is cringing at this statement

), but I fished regardless often on my own, developing an understanding of the sport at hand. Instead of the traditional "dad introduces son to fishing," it was actually me that showed my dad to fish, once he landed his first salmon, that was it, he's amassing rods at a similar rate to me. I've since moved out (living on the Island now), took most of the rods with me (the ones that were mine). Dad is busy now with work, but is still able to sneak away for a few hours every once in a while.
No regrets

I got the feeling going right now, I'm heading down to the water...