Why do WE Fish??

I have often wondered what the attraction to fishing is?

(This may turn into eclectic ramblings but what the hey.)

All I know is that I can remember as a very young boy that when a day of fishing was planned by my dad for us, (had 3 brothers in the fam) I could hardly sleep that night before and I prayed like heck for no wind. My dad who was not thrilled to fish but took us cause we liked, and he always told us that fish did not bite if there were “white caps”. If the day was nice we would want to be out from morning till dark.

The funny thing is that at 36 years old I still feel the same way, cannot wait to get out and would stay all day if I could.

Nothings seems more relaxing and still has the competitive flavor. I do enjoy the fact that I can Hunt and catch my quarry and have the ability to release to fight again if I want.

Just wondered what brings you to the fishin hole?

My father grew up close to Big Stone lake so it was something he did and as soon as I was old enough to hold a rod I was taken with. My mother’s parents owned a cabin on a nice fishing lake so I was exposed from both sides. I still remember my first bass I caught off the dock. My father had given me a red/white Bass-O-Reno(sp?) and told me to cast toward the weeds. Even he was surprised that I caught it. Fishing became my favorite hobby and remains the same today. Now for a favorite quote from Herbert Hoover:

“Fishing is the chance to wash ones soul with pure air. It brings meekness and inspiration , reduces our egotism , soothes our troubles and shames our wickedness.” This hangs over my desk at work. Beneath it is another sign that reads: Definition: boat (bot) , n.- a hole in the water into which money is thrown.

Dino

It’s something about being on the water…

Fishing seems to be the only thing I do that just plain makes me forget everything else. Whether it’s after a harried day at work, kids driving you crazy, anything that makes you blue, there is nothing like getting on the water and for an all too brief period of time, letting all your troubles fade away.

My first memories of fishing come before I had my first pair of shoes.

I remember having to trail behind my dad, barefoot in the rocks and “stickers” that lay in the grass paths, to get to the water’s edge. Dad would tell me to be real quiet ’cause the fish could hear me… right.

In my life, I have fished more than most… but less than some.

I learned only a few years ago…. that I have used fishing as an escape from reality, and have been doing this basicly my whole life. For me there is no time once I get fishing, no clock ticking in my head, no thoughts of chores or to do’s for today or for tomorow. Just the now and right then where ever I am fishing…and it becomes… me, the fish, and the water.

The wife sat me down on the porch, some years ago, to give me the “program”. Mostly, because I was abusing fishing she said… fishing every day, day in and day out. She told me that I only fished to “escape” and that I was using fishing as a crutch, for me to get through life… like a drug.

The next time I went fishing, after that little talk with the wife, I did not enjoy my day… and even cut it short to get home early.

The next time out fishing… same thing. I did not have any fun at all… and even felt I had “waisted” my day! I was quite bothered by this….

The next time I went to the lake, before I left the house, I told myself that I was going out to go fishing to “escape”… I made my plan to use fishing as my drug “to make the world go away”. Yes, I was going to get my fishing ‘fix”.

….And that day, I had a blast! I got home way too late, fished my arse off and never even thought of a

t h i n g but fishing… all day.

And wow… is it great to finally understand the “why” as to why I fish…. And it is so great to have such an understanding wife that so truely understands my inner-needs!

Hawger

Good post Dave.

It is also a reality break for me. Our jobs and life pressures can get very stressful on us and we need to get a dose of fresh air and peacefulness. Some anglers get this in different ways. Sometimes I just want to go out throw out the anchor and deadstick and not think about anything. Sometimes I want to fish like a man possessed and work the entire river pool from top to bottom. Sometimes I want to be by myself and sometimes Im out by myself and wish the heck I had someone with to share the time. Add it all up and it spells therapy. I can always tell when Im talking to people after I went fishing that Im in a better mood and actually am giddy even if I didnt catch a bunch of fish. Its been awhile since Ive gotten out on the river and each day Im getting more antsy to get back in the saddle.

It’s in my DNA

It’s a part of me

It’s what I was created for

I am one with nature

Predator vs prey

That, and I love a good fish fry

Beav

Ok… this is enough for me… lets blow this work thing off today…. where and on what pool are we meeting! Thanks Hougs…. Hawger

I just love the outdoors. I grew up spending part of my time in the city and part on my grandparents farm. My family has always been avid hunters and anglers, so I learned from a young age. I remember carrying the old Zebco and my jr. tackle box down the gravel roads and through the pastures to my favorite fishin ponds. My brother and I would spent the afternoon fishing with either plastic or real worms then head back and enjoy some of grandmas choc chip cookies.

I fish because chicks dig fishermen, especially catfishermen

Crap, if you have to explain why you fish that is sh*t, if you are a fisherman you fish because you love it. BOTTOM LINE. It is something you can do to just makeyourself the happiest person on the world, so if you need some kind of explanation to fish i feel for ya

I took up fishing so I could hang out on the coolest website online and all these great people! :O)

Okay, so I’m a lousy liar………..it’s the peace, the escape, the challenge and pursuit, predator vs. prey, and typically a rewarding way to spend quality time with other people. Friends, relatives, family……………it’s just a fulfilling activity!

Ive given this question much thought over the years… and I think there are many valid reasons and to some extent they are all true…… everything anyone has said so far would be true for me as well…. but from the first time I ever stood on a dock and looked into a whole new world.. WATCHED my first fish suck in the bait… I was HOOKED too!!…. the fascination and challenge of that alien world has occupied my thoughts and dreams every since….. yes its an escape, yes its fun, yes its relaxing… its many many things…. a never ending source of amazement and amusement….. if could live forever I would never tired of fishing… the challenge never stops, and the road to learning leads me on and on…….

Don’t know why, always have, always will…………………..B

I used to golf more and fish less with my spare time . The last few years I gotten back into fishing and it has been great. What a relief to get back to nature and away from the Insurance “Rat Race”!

I agree with all of the above reasons. No better way to spend life than fishing. Me, the fish and Gods beautifull creation. Spending a great time on the water with my best friend Nate. Only wish I would of started fishing earlier than I did so I could of gotten my oldest son hooked too. Theres something about the water that is so relaxing and something so exciting about catching fish. Love it!!! Bill

Grew up on a lake, fished every day of summer vacation, and every chance I could get. Memories of riding my bike down to the boat and putting that 1957 15hp evinrude on and taking off for the day. It’s very relaxing and it gives me something to do between hunting seasons

I fish to get away from it all and relax. I enjoy my time on the water, the peace and quit. The thrill of locating fish and the pure joy of feeling the tug on the end of the line. I also fish with friends so its a great way to enjoy a friends comapny and get the competive juices flowing. Cant wait to get my kids in the boat this summer and get them hooked as well.

Below is the first paragraph of our website. It just about covers it all, for me. The natural beauty, the adventure, the fun, the excitement and yes even the mystery. It all works for me.

.

THERE IS A REASON THEY CALL THIS GOD’S COUNTRY. WHETHER IT IS THE BREATHTAKING BLUFFS OF THE OCOOCH MOUNTAINS SURROUNDING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER OR THE WILDERNESS LIKE SETTING OF PETENWELL & CASTLE ROCK FLOWAGES THE “EXPERIENCE” IS AS GREAT AS THE FISHING.

COME JOIN US IN A OUTDOORS FISHING ADVENTURE, SURROUNDED BY SOARING EAGLES, AND THRASHING FISH. WE ARE SERIOUS FISHERMEN, BUT NOT TO SERIOUS TO NOT DO EVERYTHING BASED ON EVERYONE INVOLVED HAVING A FUN TRIP.

WITH A COMBINATION OF LOCAL CHARM, AREA HISTORY LESSON ,TOURNAMENT PROVEN FISHING TECHNIQUES AND A LITTLE BIT OF NATIVE AMERICAN SECRETS (Yes Nate I do talk to the fish, LOL), THIS WILL BE A MEMORABLE TRIP.

SO COME JOIN US…WON’T YOU… LAWRENCE ECKLOR

The smell of stinkbait really turns ’em on! LOL

I started fishing when I was 3 years old never new why back then but did no that it was the best thing I had ever done. Grew up next to a creek…my lil bro and i would go down there and just torment the chubs and suckers every day…ma’s bacon was a good bait! (some how she always new we took it?) fished like that until i was 18 then i quit for a few years. (girls) When I got married I took fishing back up. I thought it was just to get away from her..And it worked…The second time to!!! Now that i cannot use that excuse any more i fish more than ever…It makes me …Feel good…one with nature….A new adventure everytime..Trees…sky…..birds….no thoughts of todays harried life style….just like a kick back to the old day’s..

Need a beer, that really drained me…

FISH JUST DO IT!!!!

It makes me feel like a kid again….. I get to wear rubber pants all day!

John

Because I have to!

To get away from the wife for a day……geez….

I didn’t start fishing until about 11 years ago. My lady taught me how when we lived in Florida. She had been fishing most of her life until that point and finally got up the nerve to ask me to learn to cast a spinning rod so that we could go try for panfish in the canals. I found out just how obsessed that a person could be and we began to live for the end of the day when we could stop on the freeway somewhere, bait up a hook and catch a couple of drum. Weekends entailed shorefishing in the Everglades and we enjoyed it no matter what we caught.

Now, 11 years later, I still can’t explain what captivates me about it. I love the frustration of missing a hit, the joy of hooking a good one and the relief when I get out from between some rocks without breaking a line. There’s nothing better.

These days, my lady is obsessed with gardening and I get to go alone a lot. I would much rather fish than do just about anything. And the alternative is often the opportunity to spend my days digging up a garden (at least when the ground isn’t frozen). Give me a choice and it’s obvious. I’d much rather get dirt under my nails from digging through a container of worms in a boat than from digging through a yard of worms that can’t be put to good use!

Every one needs a reality check from time to time and what better way than fishing!!!!!!!

For the rich there is therapy, for the rest of us there is fishing. Fishing is something special that can be passed on to your children that they can enjoy for not just an hour or a day, but can be enjoyed for a life time. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of life. Bill

Where else can I go and wear a hat like this!

I am a fisherman, for life.

I will always be a fisherman.

It’s not something I do,

It is who I am.

Fishing is not an escape,

It is where I belong,

where I am suppose to be.

It is not a place,

but a lifelong journey.

It is a passage my father showed me,

and that I will show others.

When you understand all of this,

you will know me,

and we will fish together.

Just be carefull around hunting season Greg! Bill

Fishing has grown on my over my relatively few years alive. I remember once I got a car about 4 years ago, things changed. The possibilities were unlimited. My friend and I could go and fish where ever we wanted. What fun. Many of my fondest memories are from fishing. Just sitting by the river, watching wildlife, talking about nothing or everything, seeing the sun set or rise, watching steam come off of the river on a chilly summer morning, that first cast, the excitement of a hit, the thrill of the catch, the bragging pictures, and coming away from the experience somehow a better person. There is nothing in the world that can relax me more and give me a chance to enjoy the beauty of this world that few seldom see. Fishing is life, not just a hobby, especially for those flatheads.

Matt