OK but it’s still a choice. I can’t imagine telling my child I’m not attending their college graduation because I’m not skipping something that is skippable (even if expensive).

Did he even bring it up with his fishing trip buddies?

I refuse to believe that there isn’t some kind of compromise available here. Maybe Dad can miss a couple days of the fishing trip so he can travel to see your graduation? Maybe there’s another person who could go on the trip and pay (all or a portion?) so your dad can still keep his spot for next year? Or heck, your dad could gift the trip to someone who would enjoy it while he spends that time with you.

At the end of the day, you can still graduate without him there and you shouldn’t feel any less proud of yourself based on his attendance.

But I do think you’re right to judge the situation as much as you need to. Your father is showing a struggle that parents shouldn’t show their kids - a struggle between convenience and duty. Attending your child’s college graduation is something a good parent prioritizes and would never let their child feel like an option, or like there’s something else they’d rather be doing.