NATCHEZ — Robert and Laura Smith’s 30-year marriage proves the truth behind the age-old adage: families who do activities together stay together.

“We have been fishing together for 20 to 25 years,” Robert said.

“I taught her everything I know about fishing; now she’s teaching me.”

When The Dart landed on Providence Road in Natchez on Sunday, the Smiths were enjoying some downtime following church at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Typically, their downtime is not spent inside.

“All the time we can spare, we are out on the lake fishing,” Laura said.

“Except Sundays,” Robert added.

The two had always loved fishing even before they were married and fished separately well into their marriage.

“She was a bank fisherman,” Robert said. “And I was a boat fisherman.”

Now the couple drift fishes exclusively for crappie on lakes around Louisiana. Drift fishing is when the fisherman sticks lines into the water and travels all around the lake waiting for fish to bite.

“It’s the lazy man’s way, and the lazy woman’s way,” Robert joked.

“No, no, no, it’s a lot of fun,” Laura said.

Laura uses six poles on the front of the boat and Robert uses four on the back.

Their roles used to be reversed, but after Robert had some leg issues that made standing up on the front of the boat while operating the trolling motor difficult, they switched.

Once out on the water the objective is always to catch fish, but for the Smiths it is not everything.

“It is a very good way to spend time together,” Laura said. “It is like we are home. We have the radio and lunch, and we just relax.”

Robert believes that he and Laura having a common hobby has been very beneficial to their marriage.

“We go out there and discuss problems and we talk about our lives and just enjoy each other’s company,” he said.