Why do we fish?

[Mr. Pike1]

I began fishing when I was 4 or 5 with my father. I am now in my upper 30's and still get as excited about time out on the water as when I was a kid.

I often wonder what drives this passion/addiction. For me it is much much more then a simple tug on the end of line and the ensuing battle of man and beast. I enjoy the wonders of the outdoors and the connection I feel with nature. The time spent with lifelong friends to reflect on life and the future. The special times with my Dad. The excitement and joy in my 6 year old daughtes eyes as she catches that elusive first fish. The fun of meeting new people on the soft and hard water and the new friedships that are forged.

I guess I have some of the answers but am curios as to the reason others fish. What are we chasing, what is it we all seek in this escape?

So I ask of you all "Why do you fish" and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiing.

[schweady]

You might as well ask, "Why turkey on Thanksgiving?" To me, fishing is all about the anticipation, the traditions passed down through the generations, and the getting together with family and good friends.

(And the sunsets while wader fishing in the spring and the starry skies while out on the ice ain't all that bad, either!)

[kslipsinker]

I too have been fishing since I was old enough to hold a rod, about 50 years now. I still have great memories of fishing with my dad and with my grand parents. Every time I go out I feel like this could be the time I catch the biggest fish of my life. My wife says I get real crabby when I don't fish for a couple of weeks. It is a great way to unwind for stress. Certainly cheaper than seeing a shrink!

[JohnMickish]

This is an exellent question. My dad used to take me fishing alot when I was young, but when I discovered cars and girls fishing kind of slipped down the priority scale. Then there where several years when fishing oppertunities didn't come about that ofter due to where I was stationed and the lack of lakes.

Now the kids are older, I have more time and thank god my job allows me to spend some time and money on myself. I guess to answer the question I fish as much as I do to maybe make up for lost time, to collect my thoughts and hang out with good friends. All of that plus the anticipation that maybe I can outthink another creature.

I once saw a hat with a picture of a guy fishing that said "Gone thinking". That suits me to a "T".

[Dan Brelje]

Why do I fish?, . I enjoy everything about fishing; outdoors, anticipation, the battles, and ejoying some alone time or time w/ great friends and people.

[Dennis Steele]

For me there are many reasons.

I was brought up on the water and its where I spent many hours with my family. So its kind of bringing me back to my roots.

I also fish to challenge my self and I get a great satisfaction out of being able to figure out whats going on.

Often if I am on a good bite, I'll get bored and try different presentations or even switch species, just to see if I can outsmart some different fish.

But mostly I just enjoy the outdoors and getting away from it all. There is nothing more enjoyable that just sitting on a quiet river, listening to the wind, waves, and wildlife. Or spending some time with good buddies, BSing and taking jabs at each other.

Heck, A lot of times I could care less if I even catch a fish. Its just a good time being out there.

[bmc2b]

Everyone has a release from the everyday grind. My wife goes shopping and I fish. We each can't stand to do the other. There is something about fishing that those who don't fish just don't get. I can go out and get skunked and have a great time. When I go alone there is the serenity and solitude being out in nature that I love. When I go with friends, there is a lot of good times, and usually a lot of beer. If we were supposed to catch something everytime out they would call it catching, but we're not, and that's why its called fishing. People that don't understand that are just missing out.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Fish gotta swim, brid gotta fly, wife gotta nag, I gotta sit in the fish house and drink PBR.

[dfv87]

for me it is the memories, As a kid with my dad and brother and of course my grandpa. The hours of preparation with buddies now getting ready, the reading of posts on FM to get ideas and increasing the anticipation of going. I often joke that fishing to me is like a junkie needing his next fix and just being out there is relaxing. I especially enjoy fishing when there is considerable work involved in getting fish be it crowds/cold/rain/wind whatever to catch fish when most people would say "not me" that is when I love to say "it was tough but we slayed them!" Fishing the last year has really changed for me as my daughter is really starting to love it also. Teaching her respect and patience is helping me remember them also. Seeing her catch her first nice walleye this year was PRICELESS, as the saying goes. Hearing her talking smack about her fish being larger than the one I caught was actually made me feel even prouder. How many stories start "we went to __fill in______ fishing and you know what happened..." Memories stories and time spent with friends... that is the heart of the outdoors.