I fished a lot with my dad as a kid, then sports, video games, girls, college, and other things got in the way. Right around 40 years old I wanted to really spend more time with him and I figured his passion for fishing was something to ignite the process. I bought some rods, I found this site, and I started to glean what I could. Then I bought a small boat that was suitable for just him and I, and we have fished a lot together in the last 3 years. What was my initial notion to reconnect with my dad has turned into my passion now, and I plan to instill that to my kids.

 

On 1/23/2021 at 12:36 PM, billmac said:

I wouldn't say I am stressed when fishing, but I don't know that I would call it relaxing either.  I enjoy nature and fresh air, clean water, etc.  But I'm out there to catch fish, so that's what I'm doing.  Unless I'm in a school of something, I'm always on the move.  I usually regret when it's time to stop.  If I'm fishing with someone else, usually their call to quit comes before mine.  I don't like to stop for drinks or food.  I'll get them in the car on the way home.  I sometimes think I might have made a decent tournament fisherman.

 

That said, catching or not catching, I love fishing. I enjoy it thoroughly.  I've often come home wishing I had caught fish, but I've never come home wishing I hadn't gone fishing.

 

Great post.  Fishing is not relaxing and I come home from a trip exhausted.  A lot of people think you are just going out and watching a bobber while you sip a beet.  Waking up at 4 AM or earlier, running a trolling motor all day, and nonstop casting over 8-10 hours makes for a pretty exhausting day.  Now do it 2 days in a row, spend 3-4 hours driving back home, and then wake up and go to work the next day.  I am definitely tired at work on Monday.  But I keep doing it.....

On 1/21/2021 at 5:31 AM, bulldog1935 said:

If you've ever fished the Kenai at 2am in June

it's nothing for a millwright to leave his desk at 3:30p, drive or fly to Kenai, fish all night and be back at his desk at 730a. 

This brings back memories.  I was stationed at For Rich and we would make the Kenai/Russian River runs after work and make it back for Physical Training at 6am. Had a couple of rough days but it was well worth it at the time.  

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

watching a bobber while you sip a beet.

 

For some reason I had a vision of Dwight Schrute.

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I like fishing, but I like catching more.

 

I think Thoreau was just a lousy fisherman so he made up that excuse. I like catching too. If I want to just enjoy nature I'll leave the gear at home!

 

Edit: It is part of the reason I go though, but like I said, no fish? I'll go elsewhere.

I really enjoy fishing,  I also like being out side and I like being on a boat.  Combine those 3 things and I think I can count 1 or 2 times that I’ve actually had a bad day on the water.  Have there been days when a dink saved me from getting skunked, yes. However,  I don’t consider those a bad day.

 

 I consider being exhausted after a day of fishing as a good thing.  Means you put in the time and effort to be successful or at the very least to learn 

If I could marry "fishing" I would. It gives me thrills and chills more than I'd like to admit. That being said, I fish as much as possible. 

Fishing is hands-down my favorite thing. If I can fish, I will fish over pretty much anything else. Nothing comes close to fishing.

Of course! I don't just enjoy it, it's my passion. Fishing has become a therapy for me that helps keep my stress down and mind sharp. I also love the challenge it brings each new day. Being outside in nature is an added benefit as well.

On 1/21/2021 at 11:35 AM, Fallser said:

I do enjoy fishing.  Granted  I live in a big city and it's tough to find a bit of quiet and solitude.  Sometimes it's there. On my home stream, which I avoid on the opening day of trout season, I can find places where I'm the only one fishing.  There's one place I really enjoy fishing when you get dug in, you might not see another boat the whole day.

I enjoy fishing there as well. Have had several 100 fish days up there, just not all bass. Even had a 5-8 up there last year.