Famed American Philosopher Henry David Thoreau once claimed that “many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it’s not fish they are after.” While there is nothing like a good catch, fishing offers much more. Aside from learning the difference between a lure and a bobber or how to bait a hook and cast a line, fishing trips can teach you valuable life lessons that will stay with you everywhere you go. From the importance of family to the competitive spirit, here are six life-changing lessons you can learn from going fishing.
It’s Not What You’re Doing, But the Company that You Keep
Sometimes taking a fishing trip is about something other than fishing at all. Whether you’re flying across the country to fish your favorite beach or national park for a weekend getaway or just fishing in your backyard stream, what matters most is the company you keep. The best thing about fishing is spending quality time doing something you love with someone you love. You may not remember how many fish you caught or what kind they were, but you’ll remember the shared conversations, stories, and laughter. Whether fishing with a family member or a longtime friend, you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Patience is Virtue
You could be planning a fishing trip for months and have difficulty catching a fish once you get there. You may wait a few minutes or hours or even go the whole trip without catching a fish. But that is okay because you will get a bite at one point or another, and when you do, you better be ready. Fishing teaches you the value of patience and persistence. Sometimes, no matter how badly you want something, it is yet to be the time or place. However, staying patient and focusing on your goal can achieve anything you put your mind to. Make sure you have the right gear to fish with at tailoredtackle.com… it will make patience much easier to find.
Problem-Solving
Like fishing, life is full of good and bad surprises. Traveling around the country and fishing at different lakes teaches you to think critically, analyze situations, and overcome any obstacle that might slow you down. You must figure out the best spots to catch a fish at the right time of day. At the same time, you have to add the weather, time of year, and available bait into your calculations. Figuring out the right plan of attack to catch the possible fish could teach you problem-solving skills that benefit all aspects of life.
Winning and Losing
You are winning and losing both play a vital role in learning healthy competition. Sometimes a friendly fishing expedition turns into a heated competition as you fight to see who can catch the most fish. Like life, sometimes you will win, and sometimes you will lose. What’s important is that you learn to be a good sport no matter what side of the line you fall on.
Appreciate Nature
Sometimes we get so caught up in modern life that we forget to slow down and appreciate all the beauty this world has. Fishing trips serve as friendly reminders that life is more than just a nice house, a fast car, and a good job. Spending time on the ocean, a lake, or a stream surrounded by nothing but nature is a great way to clear your mind and gain perspective.
Being Present
According to Psychology Today, practicing mindfulness alleviates stress, relieves anxiety, reduces depression, and eases pain. One of the greatest teachers of mindfulness, aside from yoga and meditation, is fishing. Throwing out a line and waiting for a fish to bite teaches you to live in the present moment. If you are caught reminiscing or dreaming of the future, you could miss your opportunity to catch a fish.
Never Stop Fishing
You are never too old to learn and never too old to fish. Fishing is one of the few sports that anyone at any age can enjoy. There will always be a new lake, beach, or stream to explore with a pole. While there is always something new to learn about fishing, there is always something new to learn about life.
