There are stages in a fishermans life that he/she goes through.
1. Just catching any fish is exciting and seeks like minded individuals.
2. Targets one or two species over all the others with more experience gained. Seeks out like minded fisherman and tries to saddle up with the local heroes.
3. Becomes a "hungry", gotta have the biggest bass and looks down with disdain any fish not considered large and feels the same about anyone who doesn't catch and fish like him. He/she is good, gets a rep for big bass and like Hollywood stardom forgets the "little" people with whom he once shared his passion. This period is when friendships are made and broken regularly, jealousy and the big head are common atributes. Arrogance and an overinflated sense of self importance take hold. This is a long suffering time for family as well.
4. Reality and epiphany. Suddenly one comes to the reality that it's just fishing and there is more to the act than just catching, it's the places, the people and the sudden acceptance of the fact that somehow you lost the fun factor along the way, usually this comes with age.
5. Clarity and peace of mind and spirit. One day you wake up and find that what you loved was the friendships, the sharing, the laughter and joking. The catching was secondary. The need to have your name known at every bait and tackle shop, local newspaper and internet web fishing site eases and when you take to the water there is no more stress about catching large or lots but just the simple fact that you are where you want to be and enjoying yourself no mater if the fish are 20 inches long, 20lbs or "large" you give up the thoughts of 50's as being the most important thing in your fishing life and if you don't catch you still had fun, for that is what matters most, just have fun while doing wht you love to do, the rest is a bonus.
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