Gone Fishing

I went fishing today.(Ok, not actually today I started writing this in September. A lot goes on and I don’t actually finish writing everything the day I start) I love fishing. I enjoy the heck out of it. It’s probably part of a reason why I was brought on here at Motion Sports Network, your home of the KBBT and KFL. 

With my love of fishing unfortunately comes ZERO skill! I’m terrible at fishing. Like, why would I keep doing it bad. Have you ever heard of catching a salad? Probably not. I made it up for when I drag all the grass and muck and sticks off the water’s bottom to at least claim that I reeled something in. Heck, last year I caught more crustaceans than fish. 

When I go fishing the goal always is to catch a fish, or a few. If that isn’t your goal why would you ever do it? If you break it down to an almost basic nature, fishing is probably built into the primal part of our brain. Our hunter/gatherer ancestors did it to survive. Catch no fish, eat no food. So they had to develop that skill. Thousands of years later fishing still tickles that part of our brain. 

Next, there is the time you get to spend outside enjoying nature. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and computer and revel in some of the beauty that Mother Nature has provided us with. There is a bit of peace and tranquility to be found in a boat on the water or just standing on a riverbank at the water’s edge, more on that in a minute. 

While you are enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer why not try to conquer her a bit too? A bit of an odd duality I admit. But it does have a place here. Fish want to live their lives swimming around eating and mating and doing all sorts of other fish things. Their home is in that water. They aren’t trying to be disturbed. That is how they are designed. They don't want to be caught and brought out of their homes. So then when you do catch a fish you have overcome what nature intended. 

I mentioned earlier about the peace you can find for yourself while fishing. I have found that when I'm fishing these moments happen. In these moments it's just me, a fishing pole, and the water. No worrying about war, politics, work, bills, weather or not I left the coffee pot on. All of that is simply gone. It is the most peaceful and serene moment. I call it Zen. The only problem is that as soon as I realize it is happening it disappears. That's what makes me think it is a Zen-like experience. 

But even after that feeling disappears, it’s then when I really settle into the sheer pleasure and enjoyment. It’s almost as if everything from the primal instincts, enjoying nature, overcoming nature, and Zen have all all combine to activate why fishing is such a pure joy.

Look, you don’t have to be good at fishing to enjoy it, although it really does help. In the early stages of the pandemic you couldn’t find a fishing pole or kayak anywhere. That getting outside was a driving force behind that in a time when people didn’t want to be in crowds. That is a great thing for all of humanity. Fishing is a sport/hobby that can be enjoyed for a fairly minimal investment. As stated here there are many, many positive personal ways that fishing can enrich your life. If you are already into fishing you know what I mean. If it’s only something you do sporadically, try to make yourself some more time to get on the water. If fishing is something you’ve never done, I encourage you to give it a shot. I bet you won’t regret it.

When we get to the KFL Pro-Am next year I expect that I’ll be the last pick. Unless the commissioner can make a rule to save whoever picks me from actually allowing me on the water. But I can bring the funny. That's the job of the AM in Pro-Am. Wanna hear some fish jokes? Ok, here goes. 

Have you ever heard a fish joke?

They are kind of blubbery 

How do you attach the little trim pieces to your boat?

Fishining nails

Why do fish always smell fishy?

Because they are fish

What is worse than getting skunked on the water? 

Hitting the shore as you see a 3 year old reeling one in (not that funny, it actually happened to me)

I’ve told you I’m not a great fisherman, but it’s not going to stop me from trying.