Wednesday 16 January 2019

Why Do You Like Fishing?


It’s a question I get asked a lot, I’m sure you do too. And I struggle to answer it. I, like a lot of anglers, was introduced to the sport by my Dad - but that’s not the reason I still drag myself out of bed at stupid o’clock to sit on a riverbank in all weathers.

Do you eat them? Is the question I’m asked by non-anglers - No, I take a photo and put them back - it makes no sense to those who ask. There is the rig/bait development, the excitement when the float dips and the rush of adrenaline when you spot that monster fish...

I’ve just read Fishing’s Strangest Tails by Tom Quinn and one paragraph really stood out, recounting a story from 1905, he described the balance between success and failure, and how that balance makes fishing so addictive.

I still don’t fully understand why fishing appeals to me, and perhaps I never will. But next blank or the next time I loose a big fish I’m going to remember this balance, it seems we need it. As for explaining the attraction of fishing I think it’s just another piece of the puzzle.

4 comments:

  1. It's the unexplainable Brian. I had no angling influences from my family or those around me yet still had a burning desire to fish.
    I guess our ancestors had hunters, gardeners, cooks, guards and accountants. It's in the blood.

    It's also true that those that know nothing about fishing know NOTHING about fishing. Their loss is more bank space for us.

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    1. Yeah, if we can’t explain it to ourselves there’s no way we can explain it to others!

      And if everyone fished there would be no room on the bank, especially around here.

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  2. Replies
    1. Cheers. I’m a new fan of your blog too - great stuff!

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