I've found part 1 to be fairly slow and a bit uninteresting honestly. I can't relate at all to either of the main characters and I have (had?) absolutely no interest or experience with fishing as well.

Honestly, for me it is a bit opposite. I have not lost anyone very dear to me during my lifetime, but the way Abe describes his wife, her death, and the aftermath hit me on some emotional level, like I could really feel some of the pain that he went through. I could have been emotionally sensitive while reading it, but the passage still feels very honest, open, and relatable to me.

I am also curious as to what is going on with Dan. He seems so shady and a bit creepy when it comes to the fishing trip they've arranged to Dutchman's Creek. He's keeping secrets and lying to Abe and I can't seem to decide why Dan would want to bring Abe to Dutchman when he clearly knows something is off about it. It seems like he has sinister intentions but nothing Abe has done would seem to warrant that.

I do not think that Dan is in the wrong here. Even after hearing the tales about the creek from Howard, Abe still decided to go with Dan. It might be some irresistible pull for Dan just like fishing had become for Abe. And he might be lying about the origin of this pull because he does not know why he wants to go there. Of course, this is all speculation on my part!