Fishing is undoubtedly the most perfect recreational activity that exists. I will not try to convince you of this, but just point to the links between fishing well and living well.
To catch fish, you need to understand and navigate a changing environment that’s also completely unfamiliar. You need to search out the best places to catch the biggest fish, which also happen to be amazing places to spend time. And you need to master the technical aspects of casting and equipment.
The better you get at fishing, the more fishing you want to do. The more fishing you do, the more successful a fisherman you will be. To enjoy fishing at all takes a minimum committment of time and a dedication to continued learning. Fishing demands sonsistent effort for maximum enjoyment.
Fishing in a rush is never a positive experience and never leads to success. And fishing alone is pointless because there is no one to share the experience with, or to help you when you have a problem. Fishing alone is just practice.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jess // Jun 2, 2006 at 6:53 pm
I like your views on fishing, however I disagree with the “fishing alone” part. I think it’s great to go fishing alone. There is even less pressure, even less expectations. It’s all you. You get to do what you want when you want. You go where you want, you drink the beer you want, you fish the spots you want, you leave when you want. I want a lot from fishing but if someone else is there I want even more. I expect good things to happen when I go fishing- that doesn’t always happen when there’s another set of eyes watching. I’m very particular about who I fish with. I’m a firm believer in the “less is more” theory. I think that theory applies best to fishing. “Fishing alone means you only have a six pack.”
2 Vince LaVecchia // Jun 4, 2006 at 9:13 pm
I have been fishing alone. One of the best times I’ve ever had fly fishing came on a river in southern Colorado (Rio Grande?). I was pointed to an exact spot by Jon Yousko, he told me the browns would be there. I got down there, found the riffle. It was cold, started to snow. I had thermals, waders, hat, fleece gloves. Guides were iced up and I had to dip the rod in the water before every 3rd cast. I used a green bead-head nymph and fished with strike indicators and I focused on presenting the flies in the right spots. I caught the most amazing brown trout (2-3 I think, maybe more) and I worked hard for them. I am the only person that will believe me, though.
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