"Why we should Fish"

[Big-O]

AbelFisher started a great thread that asked us "Why we fish". And for encouragement's sake, I want to follow up this thread on "Why we should fish"

When we get older, as many of us are, and when we have experienced much, as many of us have, although our ageing eyes may falter, things of the heart become much clearer. To compare a true fishermans heart to a quest or competition against man or fish, is far from the truth or the wisdom gained from a lifetime of fishing. What we come to understand, is this wonderful journey is more about our life itself and who we have become as a person. One's true love for fishing and the valuable life lessons learned are a directly associated to one's hopes and dreams for everything else in life. Show me a man who truly loves the experience of fishing and I will show you a man who truly loves experiencing life. And this, is who I have become.

I hope all of you younger fishermen here at Bass Resource come to realize and recieve the many blessings that alot of us older guy's have from a lifetime in this wonderful journey we call "fishing"

God bless all of you,

Big O

Thanks AbelFisher, you have started a Great thread and terrific thought process.

www.ragetail.com

[abelfisher]

Thank you Big-O for the kind words!  I believe we should fish is not only for the reasons I mentioned in my other thread, but also to keep the tradition going.  Fishing as well as hunting, is under tremendous pressure from a number of  'do-gooder" groups like PETA, etc.  We need to preserve, promote and protect our rights and traditions.   It does concern me that sometime in my sons lifetime, fishing may start to be shutdown in this 'politically correct" world.  The PC crowd is alive and well today!  

So, I suggest any chance you get to sign petitions, write to your congressmen, or let your voices be heard;  DO SO!!  

You can bet the PC crowd isn't standing still.....

I am in the process of looking for a new job right now.  My ultimate job would be to somehow find something where I can contribute to the Promotion, protection, and preservation of fishing.  I have many years in the Information Technology field in sales, marketing, and management.  I would love an opportunity to find a way to make a living in promoting and preserving our sport.  As you can all imagine it is rather difficult to find one that can provide a decent income, but I am open to a number of ideas.  Even considered selling for a number of tackle companies, it might be less money than I am used to, but the fact that I would be in the industry that I love would make up for a bit of it.

If this sounds like a shameless plug for me in finding a career in the fishing industry.....  IT IS!  LOL ;D

Living in the Sacramento, CA area, the State Capital, I thought of even working as a lobbyist for our industry.  If anyone is interested or has any contacts that would prove to be beneficial to me, or interested in passing my resume on to someone, please email me at "abelfisher@gmail.com".  I can assure you this.  If there was ever one who would fight to preserve this right of ours, it would be me.  I have been involved in the political arena as well, so I know a little about the "real ways" to get things done.  Anyway, didn't mean to turn this into a  pitch for a job, but it seemed appropriate with the thread that Big-O started.  

Bottom line:  Why should we fish?  So we can continue to fish!

[Big-O]

Kudo's to you Abelfisher, Pls refer to the tournament talk and review my comments on RW's thread on fish mortality. I give an idea that our industry needs in the worst way. I would do this myself but I have far too many irons in the fire to pursue it personally. You are a terrific example for all young men to follow and my hat's off to you and yours

Steve Parks

[PWE]

This is an important thread - I actually live in California as well, and, coincidentally, I am looking for work and happen to have spent my career in high tech sales and strategy consulting.  Anyways, its a pretty rough time for me right now for a variety of reasons and to boot I wasn't catching any bass.  I started bass fishing this season and really only picked up fishing again seriously this year having never freshwater fished in my life.  To be honest until today (I caught 2 small bass) I was ready to quit because I simply wasn't in the mood to deal with feeling like I couldn't catch anything - you get my drift.  Anyways, today I did catch as part of a well thought out and executed strategy for fishing - when will I catch again - no clue, point is I set out to do it and I did - why - because I didn't quit - I worked and worked until I got it.  Applying this to life gives me a renewed confidence and removes the skunk from more places than simply fish bragging rights.  Fishing, like many other life pursuits teaches us who we are and how to fight for what we want.  We should never forget this in what I call our "squishy personality type, self-service dollar menu world."  

Fish on!

[abelfisher]

Yes, one can never give up. To me, when things go wrong, I just strengthen my resolve to Do it next time.  PWE, that was a great anlaogy you used.  I understand there are quite a few good lakes down around San Diego, so never give up!  To increase your odds, buy some senko's.  

[jwo1124]

To put it short and sweet - one of the best threads ever. There is so much truth to what you wrote. There is nothing like truly being connect to nature through fishing and/or hunting(although I am not a hunter I would venture to say it is the same sort of experience.) Life is good, you just have to know how to spend it.

[lknbassman]

Good thread indeed.  Why we fish varies from angler to angler but most lead in the same direction; love of the sport, self analysis, getting better at problem solving, the challenge of increasing skill and reducing luck only, comradery with other anglers, tradition, etc.  All are legit and none outweighs another.

For me it's all of the above plus a chance to spend more quality time with my best friend Jesus Christ and try to slow my own busy self centered mind down enough to realize where I am and to be thankful for the opportunity to enjoy the moment and the theatre in which I'm performing; hopefully with rod in hand and fish on the other end of the line.

[Big-O]

Amen LKN Bassman, couldn't have said it better. Doesn't this directly parallel life itself? We all have to admit that during many of our fishing trips, there are small problems or challenges we have to work through. And other outings we have faced even bigger challenges that at the time seemed insurmountable. And through it all, do we love this awesome thing called Fishing? "An emphatic Yes", because we choose to look at the good things in fishing.

And through it all, do we love this awesome thing called Life? "An emphatic ____", because we choose to look at the ____ things in life.

Happiness is a choice.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[ba7ss3in]

Good job, didn't really look at that way.

[J. M. Richardson]

I'm still young (only 18) but have also noticed the increased pressure against outdoor recreation like fishing and hunting. Many of the activist groups of against our sports don't see our reasons for spending large amounts of time involved in them.

I thoroughly enjoy fishing simply because it allows me to reflect on all the things I have going for me. In addition, it's a good way to relieve stress. I also think fishing promotes a harmony between man and nature (something I feel is very important).

In order to help preserve our shrinking areas to fish as urban development keeps growing, I plan on participating in more catch and release (especially at my favorite fishing hole) and making sure I show my younger cousins and brother the wonderful benefits of fishing, along with the exhilarating feeling of hooking up "the big one".

P.S. Great thread that shows the thoughts of many outdoorsmen out there.  

[Big-O]

I'm still young (only 18) but have also noticed the increased pressure against outdoor recreation like fishing and hunting. Many of the activist groups of against our sports don't see our reasons for spending large amounts of time involved in them.

I thoroughly enjoy fishing simply because it allows me to reflect on all the things I have going for me. In addition, it's a good way to relieve stress. I also think fishing promotes a harmony between man and nature (something I feel is very important).

In order to help preserve our shrinking areas to fish as urban development keeps growing, I plan on participating in more catch and release (especially at my favorite fishing hole) and making sure I show my younger cousins and brother the wonderful benefits of fishing, along with the exhilarating feeling of hooking up "the big one".

P.S. Great thread that shows the thoughts of many outdoorsmen out there.  

JM, You seem to be wise beyond your years and I enjoy very much your interest in the future of this wonderful pastime, Fishing. Not often that we, who have been around the block a few times, hear a young person that has a real handle in understanding the challenges before us. I applaud you in both your interest and future endeavors. If our world had more young people like you, with your care and enthusiasm, we could sleep much better at night.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Big-O]

P.S.  Thanks to those folks who raise such wonderful young people

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[J. M. Richardson]

Thanks for the words of support.

I have grown up in the outdoors and love everything about it. My passion for fishing has particularly grown in the last couple years and I feel it has helped me grow incredibly. I plan on fishing until all the water dries up or I can no longer hold a rod.

I can only be sure that more positive experiences will come out of my fishing expeditions (along with spending other time outdoors) and I don't think I'll ever regret a minute of it.

[Tokyo Tony]

Why should we fish? It's healthy, and when you're lucky, you get to see nature at its finest.

Older folks: fish for health

Middle-aged folks: to get away from the daily grind

Young folks: keeps them out of trouble

All folks: fishing makes you happy - we should try to be happy.

Those are just some of the reasons why I think people should fish  

[SENKOSAM]

I believe that people take life for granted and get complacent in old beliefs or misconceptions - good or bad. Fishing would be a good opportunity for many to wonder again, just like when they were kids, and allow them to experience something beyond the daily grind. (Ever see Field of Dreams?)

Not knowing and then being surprised or astonished (pleasantly) makes one adjust one's perception just a bit and feel the mystery that will always be a part of fishing and religion. Fishing can remind the unlucky that luck is where you find it and what you learn from it, no matter what the endeavor, brings more good luck and opportinity.

Replenishing one's spirit, self confidence and well-being through the looking glass of nature is as close as one can come to feeling significant and reconnected; a needed reminder in these days of confusion and negative distractions. Just to be at peace if only for an houre or a day ....

To paraphrase a saying, perhaps it's not only the fish that anglers persue.

[J. M. Richardson]

I agree completely. Fishing is more about discovering one's self just as much as it is about catching fish. Fishing becomes a means of self-improvement.