Sweetieface,
I think you've "already" made Carl proud ! Welcome to the board ! This is a great bunch of people - I'm sure that we can assist you in the quest for the "big ones". Enjoy the beauty that you will see, savor the peace and solitude and time for reflection while fishing, then add a fish-on and the excitement and personal reward that adds, and you're gonna know what its all about - and you'll be addicted!
Patience + hard work = rewards.
So very sorry on your loss of Carl.
Beetle