Fishing Information

Why Do I Fish?


As part of an email discussion list I'm part of, the subject of following our passions came up. I mentioned that one of my lifelong passions was fishing. I got the following reply...

Thanks, John for sharing your passion with us. So -- John -- when you are fishing... What do you enjoy most and why? I've never fished and would like to understand your passion better.

That made me stop and think. Why did I spend so much time with a line in the water? Or reading about fishing? Or watching fishing TV shows and videos? What did I get from that, that I don't get from other things? Here's how I answered her...

One of the best things about fishing is that it can be different things on different days. Some days, I can set up a chair on the beach, throw my line out, and just stare at the horizon and listen to the water. With the fishing rod, I'm fishing. Without it, I'm a loony without a clock tower ;-). On those days, I may or may not catch anything. It really doesn't matter. When the sun goes down and I leave, I feel renewed and totally relaxed.

On other days, I have to catch something. Solving the puzzle -- where are the fish and what will get them to bite -- is important. So is the execution -- doing things just right, as evidenced by that electric tug on the line.

Did I mention that fresh fish, well prepared, is one of the greatest eating pleasures on this earth?

Fishing as an activity can also be solitary or social. Catching fish is cool, so is not catching any. When you're out with good friends and that magic day hits when all goes perfectly right, you come away with stories that brighten your eyes for years in the retelling. On the days when the fish don't bite, you can spend time in conversation, solving the worlds' problems or your own. Sometimes there's the quiet time, when all of you can sit back and bask in the feeling that you are all doing exactly what you chose to do, with people you chose to spend time with.

Finally, (bet you didn't think I'd make, did you), I practically grew up in a fishing boat. My folks had a cabin on a lake in Minnesota where I spent hours in an old rowboat with my Dad and my grandfather. Listening to them, and later joining in, taught me a lot of what I know about being a man. Those evenings of watching for the bobbers to sink are some of my best memories.

As a labor of love, I have a web site called Outdoor Adventures (no longer operating). I'd like to share the opening with you.

"Why do we venture outdoors? It makes us alert, pulls us out of ourselves, and engages us in something bigger. It's a restorative that cleanses us when we've become muddied and makes us healthy when we've become sickened. It's a brace against pessimism."

I hope I've been able to let you feel a little of what I feel for this wondrous pastime.

John McCabe's Web Guides show you how to find more and better success in all facets of your life. For more articles on living an abundant, vibrant, joyous life, come to http://Web-Guides.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Saltwater fishing: tuna back on the bite
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
While most boats had slower fishing, the Pacific Queen found a kelp and caught 100 yellowfin tuna Saturday. The Condor had 100 mixed dorado, albacore, ...
FADs affect Hawaii’s fish population Honolulu Star-Bulletin
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Fishing for a playoff spot, Cards go for series win against Marlins
Sports Network - 14 hours ago
(Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals will try to keep their playoff hopes alive this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series with the Florida ...


Ocean Fishing results
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
H&M, POINT LOMA, FISHERMAN'S LANDING – 203 anglers, 10 overnight boats: 130 albacore, 118 yellowtail, 51 yellowfin, 60 dorado, 7 skipjack. ...
Saturday's catch: September 7, 2008 Ventura County Star
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Lad saves boat, fishing net from destruction
Times of India, India - 4 hours ago
Canacona: A young boy's sheer presence of mind saved the day for Agonda panch, Tipu C Pagi, whose fibre boat and 150-mt long fishing net almost went up in ...


Legend talks fishing with children from Alpine's Fish Camp
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
“We do a lot of outside activities like fishing, bird watching, kayaking, anything to get the kids outside and away from computer and television screens,” ...


San Diego Union Tribune

Fishing curbs possible
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
They could lose access to their favorite fishing grounds as part of an effort to redraw California's mishmash of marine protected areas, ...


Boston Globe

his crafted rods cast a spell
Boston Globe, United States - 14 hours ago
Per Brandin of Shelburne Falls crafts split-cane bamboo rods for fly fishing. Brandin, who isn't taking any new orders, charges several thousand dollars for ...


Proposed regulation changes could adversely affect fishing
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, TN - 19 hours ago
The proposal, if approved, would have an adverse impact on tourism reports Kentucky Lake fishing guide Steve McCadams. "Tourism here sees big bucks ...
Opposition up against fishing rule changes Memphis Commercial Appeal
Effects of 2003 law credited for boatload of heavyweight catfish Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Fishing is popular at Grasslands' ponds
Kansas.com, KS - 23 hours ago
BY MICHAEL PEARCE CIMARRON NATIONAL GRASSLANDS - Southwest Kansas sportsmen sometimes joke they live in the middle of the best fishing in America. ...


Stuff.co.nz

Fishing banned in new reserve
TVNZ, New Zealand - 21 hours ago
Fishing has been declared off-limits in a popular spot in the capital, with the creation of a marine reserve on Wellington's doorstep. ...
A day for all, especially the sea creatures Stuff.co.nz
Marine reserve finally opens on Wellington coast Otago Daily Times
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Fishing - Google News

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