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| ** | When most of us were kids, anticipating a fishing trip kept us awake the night before. The idea of spending the day with a beloved relative or friend in a pristine setting, surrounded by the glories of nature made for a restless night. These days, there’s no doubt that, even at our advanced ages, we still tingle in anticipation of any fishing trip. And it has a lot more to do with the total experience. |
The fishing trip is somehow a sort of “adult hooky.” The everyday cares and challenges are set aside the moment one shows up at the waterfront. Our mission this day is to seek out any willing creatures who will be kind enough to give that tingly tug on the line.
Many who do not know the joys of fishing wonder what anglers could possibly do out there for so many hours flicking their rod at the water? What they don’t realize is that, as our title suggests,” there’s a lot more to fishing than catching fish.”
For one thing it’s a genuine social event – an opportunity for friends and family members to bond in beautiful, natural surroundings.
To some, the fishing experience takes on an almost religious quality. I can remember my many enjoyable and productive trips with Capt. Jerry Williams. He would begin each one with a joyous invocation-- “Thank you Lord for another glorious fishing day in this beautiful place,” he would say.
Now I really doubt that Jerry was a great churchgoer. But he often told me “this is my church. And I feel closer to the Lord here than anywhere else.”
But aside from this reverential atmosphere, a fishing trip is relaxing. And that laid back mood engenders a joyous camaraderie. I must confess that oftentimes, some of the most vulgar jokes are exchanged --- or an outpouring of good natured ribbing. And yes, what I call “the BS factor” is there – with participants exchanging some outrageous stories – both fishing and otherwise.
Now of course, there’s the main business at hand -- that pleasurable challenge of getting fish to strike your bait.
The beauty of fishing Florida waters is that it’s not, as they say -- “brain surgery.” Anyone with a bit of knowledge and minimal experience can learn how to fish our waters successfully in short order.
The quickest way for any novice angler to conquer that learning curve is to simply spend time fishing with someone who knows how it’s done.
I think if we go back into the origins of even the most seasoned veterans, we would discover that their initial learning experience was with some family member or friend who showed them the ropes.
These days we are fortunate to have available many welcoming local fishing clubs where one can meet and get to know other more experienced anglers. There are usually folks who will take a newbie under their wing and show them how it’s done.
There are also a great array of free fishing clinics and seminars – published articles in magazines, newspapers and on the World Wide Web – where one can readily advance their fishing skills.
And once learned, an accomplished angler can practice his passion in this aforementioned relaxed environment without thinking about it. It’s the total experience -- enjoying a day working our waters with friends and family in Mother Nature’s most beautiful of settings.
And oh yes -- one can also have the occasional opportunity to bring a fresh fillet or two home for dinner.
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