A Perspective

[bloocrab]

IMO -

There are many "degrees" or "levels" to fishing...and I'm not talking about skill levels here...

I truly believe that everyone's perception of "fishing" is different. As much as it may appear to be similar (especially when discussed on an internet board), or someone who thinks that they want to fish like someone else, or for the same reason that they think someone else fishes for...they are still different. So much so...that to some, arguments, disagreements, or simple misunderstandings or misconceptions, will always occur.

Everyone fishes for a different reason. As similar as each person's reason may appear, it is still an intimate feeling which is often difficult to describe in words, at least for me it is. Some of us will never understand the other person's meaning of why they are so passionate about fishing.

I used to fish for quantity...then quality, then quantity of quality.....then I forgot why I fished at all. I believe that once you've completed that cycle and returned to your root of origin, that is when you truly enjoy fishing for your own personal reasons. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I've fulfilled each category while that was my target, I do not hold any world records, but mentally or psychologically, ...I think I'm in a happy place.

[Slingah]

a thread with a positive tone...I love it

Life's a journey...not a destination. Same goes for me with fishing. If I walk around telling myself that I'll be happy when I accomplish this or that then most likely I'll have a difficult time enjoying the moment that I am in.
Some of my favorite times fishing are when I am "hunting"....driving to spots full of anticipation, retrieving my offering waiting for the strike or talking to friends planning a trip......catching the fish is a bonus.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Slingah

....driving to spots full of anticipation, retrieving my offering waiting for the strike or talking to friends planning a trip......catching the fish is a bonus.

this can be a big part of it.
Heading offshore with a 4hr steam south is full of anticipation; rigging, checking knots, discussing the spread and the location of the warm water. watching the spread knowing the split second of pandemonium that can erupt from apparently dead water and the subsequent nonstop scream of the drag of a doubled up 50. or drifting in 400 fathoms on a pitch black night with dolphins doing acrobatics out of sight all night

Catching fish is just a (Fuel money) bonus...

That being said, I'm a bit jaded in the surf, and not due to over-accomplishment. I annoy easily with stupid people mishandling undersized fish, and have largely stopped fishing the april run of bass.

I stopped going to the shows for the reasons mentioned above; impersonal and crowded. I can see who I really want to talk to in person locally, and buy less and less gear every season....

[beamie]

If it were just about catching we would just put a net across the river.

It is much more than that. And though the winters are long I like them. This gives you time to build and prepare and dream of the season ahead.

[Back Beach]

My sub .300 average(and falling) keeps me coming back for more punishment, no doubt.

This past season in particular opened my eyes quite a bit with regard to simply enjoying it and leaving the scale/tape measure/contest thing in the rear view at certain times. When your only expectation is enjoyment(although catching raises this level) you are seldom disappointed.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

and buy less and less gear every season....

This is simply due to the fact you're likely buying more formula and diapers. Trust me, things will even out eventually.

[MikeToole]

I think the challenge is always there, just sometimes there are more fish around. Sometimes your rewarded with fish and others just a night out. For me it is very rare that I don't feel like going out but when bigger fish are around it's more like I just can't wait to get out. Plus when there are lot of fish around it is a time when I can get my wife and daughter to come out. One thing I don't ever remember thinking is no need to go out tonight because I can always catch fish tomorrow. When fish are around