What does fishing mean to you?

[LCFisherlady]

For every person fishing means something and I suspect it is somewhat different for each of us but I wanted to see how you feel about it...so I'll go first

What fishing means to me….When I fish,I enjoy the beauty of the water and animals that are using the area as home. I find this time a vacation from the stress of life, I am one with the water, feeling my bait glide through the water seeking a willing fish, waiting for that slight rattle or gentle tug that tells me one of those beautiful fun fish is considering a take. During these times I do not have to consider the world problems, I can ignore the problems in my own life, not having to worry about the job, an aging mother who is in her twilight years, the responsibilities of being a parent, or grandparent. I do not have to consider the little chores I left undone to go fishing, all I do is focus on now and here and the precious time I am enjoying. It is something that centers me and makes me so much stronger when I go back to the real world of life. This time is a gift and I am thankful for it.
Judy

[FISH EYED FOOL]

The thrill of a hookup, there is nothing like it.

[Artwo]

For me, I can sum it up in a few words that I use quite regularly -

"It's my mental health"

JK

[pdxkevin]

...mmmmmm fish.

[skein]

I agree with you, FisherLady. It's the release and the focus that takes me away from all the other things that gnaw away my hours and life.

I see things on the river that I miss in my everyday life, little nuances that I pass over in the hustle and bustle. I see the little eddies, or the drop-offs, or the tail-outs. I calculate the depth and drift and clarity. I listen better - to the water's sound or the breeze or the birds along the shore. I watch the moon and the mist and the sunrise or sunset. I feel the ....

WHAT AM I DOIN' HERE! Sorry, but the river's calling - gotta go! :grin:

Skein

[happybrew]

It means getting away from everything, and just letting time pass without urgency... unless of there's a good bite on, and then it's urgent!

happybrew

[jocose]

cigars, smelly bait,laughter,fish stories,cold beer,old hat,ripped jeans,dirty fingernails,the slap of water on my boat,matching wits with other fishermen and the fish,alarm clock set for 4am,line being stripped... fish on,proud pictures,salmon on the bbq,bragging rites.....fishing lets me forget the stress of life and for a brief time the boy in me gets to come out and play.. joco

[jokester]

It means getting away from everything, and just letting time pass without urgency... unless of there's a good bite on, and then it's urgent!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I couldn't agree more happybrew!! That pretty much sums it up for me too!

-jokester

[chesterdoodle]

It started as a way to spend time with my father. Now it is a way to spend time wth my son.

[salmurai]

Fishing, just for fishing's sake. The dead fish comes in last.......

[salmurai]

Nice start chesterdoodle. How about a story. Old or new, it doesn't matter....... Welcome aboard.

Fishing means everything to me.....then again it means nothing to me! Think about it :smile:
It is my prime source of relaxation and recreation. I love the times I spend fishing and the camraderie of my friends who I fish with.
On the other hand though it's not the "end all" to everything I am and do! If it ever gets to the point to where is not fun or relaxing anymore then I quit...simple as that.
If your blood pressure is raised because some guy is anchored too close to you, accidently tangles with your line or something trivial as that then I feel you need to seriously consider changing hobbies. You've lost the whole meaning of what you should be after
Thoreau put it this way
"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing it's not fish they are after"


[ 11-22-2003, 02:54 AM: Message edited by: Stew ]