What is it about Fishing?

[TillamookChinook]

I floated part of the lower Deschutes this summer in my drift boat while a couple of friends were in their raft. I stopped often to fish and they just looked for the rapids.

At the end of the trip we were having dinner and one of the friends asked, "What is it about fishing?"

I don't know how to explain it to someone who does not already know. If I catch fish I have to go back soon because I "figured it out". If I don't catch fish I have to go back soon so I can "figure it out". And when I am not on the water I am thinking about being on the water (or maybe I'm logged on to ifish).

I finally told my friend that fishing is like working a puzzle. I don't know if that made any sense to her.

So, what is it about fishing?

[Keta]

If you have to ask go watch football :grin:

[5-Cents]

Fishing in it's purest form is an addiction, plain and simple. This is the reason that your friends cannot understand what you are talking about. :sick:

They look at you and shake their heads and go poor guy, look at him, he is standing in the (pick one) heat, rain, snow, wind, dark and he got up at (pick one) 3:30 AM, 4:00 AM, 4:30 AM (get the point, it was early and dark) to fish and he did not catch anything. He spent 1000's of $$$ on a boat, 1000's of $$$ on gas and gear when he could have been watching a movie, spending time with his family, working out, doing yard work, watching football, etc.... instead of standing on the bank or floating on a boat and watching, watching, watching that rod for that strike that never, ever came. Poor guy we should ask him to dinner but really have an intervention for him! :shocked:

Mean while you are thinking fish, fish, fish, cast, fish, bait, lure, fly, fish, troll, when can I do it again? :sick:

Top "researchers" around the country have found that your addiction can be transmitted to those you love the most, especially your kids. Case in point my 4 year old daughter woke me up at 6 AM on Sunday morning (I don't fish on Sundy unlike Hogmaster. I need a full day to rest before I go to work on Monday to surf the Ifish board and plan my trip for the week) and wanted to know when we were leaving to catch fish, 10 to be exact! We went down stairs to watch fishing shows together instead! :sick:

It has taken me years and years to finally admit that I am a very sick man. Now that I have said that I have to print some tide charts!

fish, fish, fish, fish, fish, fish Ahhhhhahahahaha! :shocked:

:cheers:

[k9jeff]

Its not the kill,,,, its the thrill of the chase!

[Miss B Haven]

It's going bottom fishing and having a Chinook grab your shrimp fly off the bottom in 400 feet of water. It's starting to run home and having a school of Dahl porpoise surround your boat so close you could almost touch them. It's coming across a BIG CR bar and feeling comfortable that your boat will handle it just fine. Oh ya - almost forgot, we caught some bottom fish too! :grin:

[skrimmy]

It's the heart pounding excitement when that rod tip slams down as you're pulling that herring, or seeing the bobber go under as it slowly floats through your favorite hole.....and the anticipation of what's on the other end.

[Chacal]

Silence is golden.

It was a phrase my mother used to say over and over when us children would get too rowdy.

Now I completly understand what she meant.

The times we live in are very, very fast, noisy and complicated. What is the perfect way to slow down your life.

Sit in a boat and stare at a pole.

I can honestly say that before I go fishing my mind races at 1000 mph thinking and worrying about pretty much everything from whether or not to have children to what my Monday mornign is going to look like at work. For some reason, trying to figure out which lure to use, and staring at a pole in the middle of a river makes me sheds all that I worry about.

The reward is, of course, the fish.

Fishing -- the prefect stress releif.

Chacal

[fishingfirst]

The highs and lows of bobber fishing.....from the tap tap tap of that little pogey to the .....you may need to get a bigger net!

The only thing better than fishing is catching.

Scott

[Flying Roast Beef]

I call it therapy! :cool:

[ 10-21-2002, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Flying Roast Beef ]

[Thumper]

Several years ago I was guiding a group of clients on the North Fork Lewis for springers. It was freezing cold, pouring rain and the the river was about to go out of shape. So we agreed to take a break and go up to the Golf Course clubhouse for some warmth and lunch.

Walking into the restaurant we were taking off our dripping raingear when a group of 8 golfers dressed in shorts, polo shirts and rain slickers walked in looking like drowned rats. One of them approached me and said "Man, you guys must love fishing! No way would you get me out in weather like this just to catch a fish!"

I think that about said it all. I would guess that golf and fishing are similar addictions.

[ 10-21-2002, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[Ned Treblehook]

For most of us, it's not WORK!! And for those of you who it is work, What better job in the world!

Any day fishing is better than a day working! :grin:

[onebuck]

I like Chacal's response...fishing for me is getting away from the daily hustle and bustle of all the errands, the phone calls, the traffic, the noise...just all those things that invade our every waking hour. Catching the fish is the gravy so to speak...some of my best days out have produced no fish but it was calm and quiet. Of course another great thing about fishing is your buddies! Fishing is often a time when friends can talk and joke and if they're lucky work as a team when one person can work the net as the other reels in the prize! Lastly, fishing is a chance to create great memories...I still remember fishing with my grandpa when I was a kid, watching him toss flies for steelhead and trout as we walked down a river looking for that next great hole....these are just a few of the reasons I fish and won't ever quit.

[Jennie@ifish]

For me, it's the hunt, and being out where it is quiet and peaceful.
Alot, though, the hunt.
Trying to figure out what works, where they are, and how to get them to bite.
The other night, out on the Kilchis, with barely any water, I fluttered a spoon in the deepest hole over by the rocks. They were barely hidden by current and holes in the rocks. It was SUCH a blast to be able to see the entire structure of the river bed, and see these fish, little black shapes, dart out after that spoon!Too timid to bite, yet curious enough to leave their hiding places.
What a thrill!
I didn't need them to bite, just to see them!
It's also the curiosity of the species. I want to learn how they behave, and where they have been, and where they are going.
I want to know why they do what they do.
If I can't fish, I want to read about fish, or draw fish, or think fish.
I have pee chees from when I was in high school. Most of my friends had peace signs and hearts scribbled on the outside. Mine? It had fish.
I think it is a genetic mutation.
Shall we do a study?
Jen

[graybeard]

Fishing is not a sickness or an addiction, it is simply satisfying a primal instinct. Think about it, with the exception of the last few generations, man has been primarily a hunter/gatherer since the beginning of his existance. Have you ever owned a hunting dog? Ever tried to make a house or lap dog out of it? You can try, but those hunting instincts in him will keep surfacing. You may think you're taking him for a walk, but he'll be hunting. Those of you that have had the privilege of owning a good hunting dog know what I mean. They are happiest when they are hunting, and will hunt till they drop. Why? Because it's been bred into them. That is their purpose in life.
The same is true for people. How did our ancestors survive? They hunted/gathered food. It was't really until the industrial age that we could earn a living from anything but hunting/gathering.
You can take the dog out of the hunt, but you can't take the hunt out of dog.

So enjoy your primal urges. It's a good thing.

PS. We have other primal urges too, but it's best we not get into them on a fishing bb. :grin:

[Chacal]

Ut oh, I am having another "primal urge."

:smile:

:tongue:

Chacal.

[dogfishboy]

It's the...

anticipation and planning the night before

hope that the hole or ramp is not too crowded

hoping that THIS day will bring a bountiful harvest

smell of pilings at low tide

glimpse of wildlife at first light or dusk

eagles high in the tree tops calling to each other

renewed friendships as you pass friends trolling that you haven't seen since last season

anticipation of that first strike of the day

joy of watching others as they hook and land a fish and congratulate each other

smell of Chinook in the air

feeling of YES! fish-on

mental game of what, when and where

spectacular sunrises and sunsets

joy of experiencing the moment with family and friends

...but most of all it's knowing you’re alive and able to appreciate all that life has to offer.

[5-Cents]

Ned Treblehook,

Nice try buddy! Welcome to Ifish but it is an ancient Ifish tribal tradition to tell a fish story on your first post or all the fish you catch will be suckers and eels! :grin: :shocked:

:cheers:

[ 10-21-2002, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: 5-Cents ]

[SKP]

C'mon Ned Treblehhook,

Let's hear your fishing story, and your introduction, the natives are getting restless!

SKP

[Pitch Pocket]

I don't care about anything but the bite, (ok maybe it's a little more than that), but the take is my rush. Something about it makes it all worth while.

[fishchaser]

When you figure it out will you please tell my old man. He just doesn't get it. Why I get up at 0-dark-30 and don't get home til after sunset. With out any catch.

I think it IS life. That we be so lucky to be out enjoying everything God gave us to enjoy.

If I was to die tomorrow, I think I would miss fishing most. :smile:

[Jennie@ifish]

Too funny! This is off way off fishing topic, and for that, I apologize. This is my "once a month" off topic post!
The primal thing brought back a memory.
Years ago, I was recently divorced, and going on a date... It wasn't what I wanted to do yet... wasn't quite ready.
Anyway, after the date, at the door, the guy wanted to kiss me.
He did.
Then, he didn't want to stop.
I liked the guy, but I was ready to call it a night.
I was flustered, couldn't think of any words.
Without thinking, I said, "I just don't have any primate urges".
I didn't even notice I goofed. Too flustered.
:smile: :smile:

The next morning I had a doctors appt. When I came home, there was a bunch of bananas on my doorstep in a pretty fruit bowl.
Attached was a note.

"Just in case you have a primate urge".

I'm sorry, off topic, but I just thought that was TOO funny!

Jen

[ 10-21-2002, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[WaterDog]

Ned, post that mandatory story! :grin:

I’m with fishchaser. I have tried to tell my wife everything that has been said here and she still doesn’t get it. :hoboy: She cant figure out how after working all week why I’d subject myself to the even longer hours and harsher conditions. You either get it, or you don’t.

Besides sitting in front of the idiot box watching a ballgame or a movie :rolleyes: is not very engaging nor is it as entertaining as being “out there”.

[Miss B Haven]

Jennie - A gif(t) for you! ROFLMAO

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/173216293.gif

[LoafsNFishes]

Running a plug through a drift where the water is dropping and clearing..knowing that at any moment your pole could be nearly ripped out of your hands as if by some unseen force. Going weak in the knees and trying to not yell with glee as the fight is on...Watching as a you see the thrashing flash of a shape in the water, which is instantly radiated to your hands through the pole. If the fishing gods allow it, and you actually get the fish to the bank, boat, whatever...no matter if you keep the fish or return it you know that, by the beating of your heart that you just had a great time....That's fishing to me!! :cheers:

LNF

[Fishalot]

I did not used fish as much as I do now days. I had other things I liked to do better. I have friends like Tilla that have schooled me in the art of fishing and I now do it as often as I can. I love the outdoors and being around other people fishing. I look for sales on gear like a Hawk , I also have two boys that like to fish and that means alot to me. I have to go now because I know there is a sale some where out thereeeeeeee. :grin:

Fishalot

[ 10-21-2002, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Fishalot ]

[Wild Bill]

I remember when I was a teenager and our friends would come over and ask my dad why I wasn't at this school function or that school function and he would say "There is only 3 things that boy cares about; fishing, hunting and basketball. I think if you give him the choice of going out with a pretty girl or go fishing he'll choose to go fishing."

There was a period of time that I didn't fish or hunt and just didn't take time to do the things I truely enjoy, it was a mistake. Life is just too **** short.

Some people just don't get why we enjoy fishing. All I can say is too bad for them.

[Hogmaster]

A friend summarized it for me as "Hours of boredom randomly interspersed with moments of pure panic"

It might look that way to the untrained eye, but it applies to many things involving both chance and skill. When it gets dialed in, well, it is just sooooooo cool! :cool:

I get the feeling on a hunt with a buck in the sites. Or when the numbers keep coming up on the gambling table. Or winning the football pool.

But the difference that I believe makes fishing different is the amount of time the thrill lasts. Once the take happens, the game is just beginning. A good shot lasts for a split second and the work begins. But hook a fish with appropriate tackle for the battle and the heart races and stays up well after the catch is controlled. And if you are doing it well it just keeps getting better. The only thing that changes are your expectations of success.

It makes all the other coresponding adventures of a trip additional spice. I agree with Thumper, golfers seem to have a similar affliction.

It's just fishing, right ******? But it all is fishing and it is good.

[ampersat]

part 1:
my dad had me fishing from as early as i remember. when i got to be older and we were out fishing, just him and me, and he'd ask me "so, what do you think about it?" i never really knew what to tell him. what "it"? huh? now that i'm older, i ask the same question of my fishing buddies. my mind drifts while i'm fishing; i think about stuff i just don't have time to get into during the regular days. ask me that question while we're out fishing sometime and you'll likely get a pretty interesting answer.

part 2:
back before cedar creek exploded, i was fishing with a dozen or two folks at the first hole. we got into this discussion. when it was my turn, i told everyone that for me it's the first five seconds. there's nothing, and there's been nothing for the last five minutes. just repititious, meditative casting. suddenly there's confusion on both ends of the line, but for just a split second if you're lucky or really have the touch. you swing, the rod arches and you feel the quick, electric pulses of adrenaline in the fish you've just hooked. adrenaline surges down your arms, into your hands. the fish runs, pulling line from your reel and your hands begin to shake. you finally get control of yourself, you begin to calm down somewhat. the fish is still going nuts out there but you've got some composure by now, your mind is starting to clear and now is the perfect time for a hand-off. i'll take a hand-off any time these days, but for me the real thrill of it is the first five seconds.

part 3:
i'm the kind of guy who gets into a lot of different stuff. i like the part where you figure something out, then go accomplish it. after i do it a couple of times, i usually lose interest. the joy in it is figuring it out. fishing is an eternal quest for me to "figure it out". most stuff in life is pretty formualic; once you figure out the formula, you can do it over and over again. the thing with fishing is that all the variables change so the equation is never the same. sunlight, water clarity, barometric pressure, moon phase, tides. no two trips are ever the same. if anyone ever figures it all out, they're guaranteed to make millions letting the rest of us know how. a couple of fish a year is all it takes to keep me coming back. i got it right a few times, now what was it i did right? can i do it again?

ps: jennie, i loved the story. bananas on your doorstep, huh? we can see how you'd have to pass on that one.

[ 10-21-2002, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: ampersat ]

[Flatfish]

I do not honesty know why I hunt and fish.But it is my way of life.My life is better because of it.I cannot imagine how poor I would become if I couldn't do either.
I figure it is like being color blind.I am color blind and I lead a slightly lesser life because I miss most sunsets.The greens of summer.And fall foliage.None of this is life threatening.But it detracts from the total experience of living. To remove fishing and hunting would have a much deeper effect than any sunset or foliage.
Mark and the Jedi duck dog.

[PapaHog]

Wow, Many great posts and as I read them I kept thinking thats me, thats me, thats me. However no one ever left bannas on my doorstep. I must not be been a good kisser.

What is fishing? I would guess that it is something different for each ifisher yet the same for all of us. The thrill of the hunt. The being in the great outdoors. The Bobber Down or the Take Down. The planning (the fishing trip on ifish), the hunting (for supplies) the gathering(your gear together) the anticipation of waiting for the alarm to go off. The trip to the river and the time on the water alone or with friends new and old.

The best time for me is sunrise on the water with pole in hand watching my bobber drift thru one of my favorite holes.. At peace with myself. Waiting for all hell to break loose. Wow What fun.

[Dipnet]

For me, it is being with my best friend and doing something I truly love! I have fished for years,mainly trout ,crappie,bluegill and the like. Never could figure out how my husband could get up way before first light and go salmon fishing! Then he finally talked me into going fishing on the Tillamook and I caught 2 nice chinook. I have been hooked ever since!! Now when he asks if I want to go fishing, I ask what time do I set the alarm!!!!

[Perfect Drift]

Competition, the lack of it. I don't enjoy team sports, just don't. It is me and the water and the wily fish. I compete against myself. What is it that will get the bite, read the water, the weather, the water temp, air temp, time of year, what can I do different. The internal mind game of, I can do this, I will fiquire this out. Maybe not today but I'll keep doing it until I do. You can change locations and species and start from the very bottom of the ladder again or go to a place that you may know so well and relax. It is ever changing, never the same. That's what makes it exciting, change.

[fishbait]

What Dogfishboy said, and said very well :cheers:

[cannonball]

There is no other way to get away from it all(Work & Stress) in just a few hours. My mind would be a bowl of walnuts without fishing. The magic is that is can be shared with friends, strangers and loved ones while at the same time satisfying while your completly alone.

[Jerry Dove]

Ever ask your self, why am I so tired after a day of fishing. I figgure it is because I fully relaxe when doing what we are so lucky to be able to do in Oregon, fish anytime of year. I used to get migrine head aches, no pill would touch it, go fish for an hour or so, no more head ache. Living in Tillamook sure does help. Yesterday my wife and 5 year old grand son spent a couple of hours on the Trask watching the Coho moving up river by the hundreds. Then droped down the road a little bit and watched a herd of elk for about half hour. I could fish, hunt, or watch fish or deer or elk all day long and never tire of it. Its a great life.

[TillamookChinook]

I subscribe to the theory I heard once:

Time spent fishing does not count against one's life allotment.

Fish more, live longer, or at least happier.

[dogfishboy]

Jerry, the wife and I will be joinin' ya soon...so to speak. We are moving down to the land of cow pies and rusty trucks by this time next year. Sooooooo excited. It will be a few years after we get down there before we are able to enjoy it "all day long" like you are now. I know we will never tire of it either.

[live to fish]

After reading all these post i don't know what to add except. YES I AM ADDICTED!!! Now that i have admitted it am i on my way to recouvery.My wife keeps telling me she's going to sighn me up fpr F.A.(Fishermans Anonymous).No i am not going to go,No,No, graemlins/icon_argue.gif bye hun going fishing. :grin:

[Dipnet]

live to fish, you need to get your wife to go with you. If she's anything like me, she'll love it!!

Dipnet

[Ned Treblehook]

Well, let me make a feeble attempt at being able to remove my huggies.

Not much of a story but reminds me somewhat of the theme: What is it about fishing?

I still remember the first time I was winter steelheading on the Wilson River. I was at the fish ladder hole and I was there with my father and his buddy, who has forever been deemed "The Gamehog!!"

I had only been to the Wilson about 5 times before, but had studied everything my father had taught me and on this day, I told ole' dad that I was going to set up my own corky and lead. I know, I know, not much of a feat.

Anyways, I had my rig all tied up and was going to give it a try. I got the bottom part of the hole while dad and Gamehog moved to the upper part.

My second past through, I got that "bump" that just didn't quite feel like lead bouncin the bottom. I gave a little tug and instantly felt one ****** off steelie on the other end of my line. I yelled for my dad to come down and when the steelie was close enough for dad to grab for me, he did.

I still remember the look dad gave me as he turned around and said, "You can't hook it any better than that." The hook was set right in the middle of the roof of the steelie's mouth.

I'll never forget how proud I felt that I had caught my first steelie all by myself.

I know, not much of a story, but I think it's what fishing is really all about.! Especially since it was the only fish of the day!!

[ 10-23-2002, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Ned Treblehook ]

[1pump]

Good posts, a lot of introspection. More than I could muster.
My Dad's a city kid from Cleveland. He doesn't understand fishing or people who fish. More than once he's told me I'm freakin' nuts to sit in my boat all day in a downpour so bad my bilge pump could barely keep up with it. And why in the !@#$% would I fish all day, not catch anything, and then go out the next day and try it again?? He went as far as to ask my sister if anything happened to me that he didn't know about that would cause such psychotic behavior. And the thought of duck hunting leaves him speechless.
That's OK. He just doesn't have it in him. Just like I don't have golf or accordion playing in me. There's no point in trying to make the non-fishing types see the light. They know before they even try it that they won't like it. They drive alongside a lake or river, see us out in our boats, shake their heads and keep driving. Just like I do when I drive by a grange hall and see 50 couples in hoop skirts and bad polyester suits attempting to square dance. I've seen hell, and that's it. :grin: