Why do people fish?

[J.R.]

I know that everybody is going to say that they do it to relax but I think that for many people it is an ego thing. I see alot of guys with fancy rigs that think their **** don't stink. Any thoughts?

[Jim Alton]

I can only relay to you why I fish... not in any order.

1) I love the taste of fresh fish.
2) I love to be outdoors.
3) I love the challenges associated with fishing.
4) I love tinkering with my boat.
5) I love thinking about my next fishing trip - so I'm not thinking about problems at work or with the family.
6) I love the conversations that you can have with someone who is trapped with you for 4-8 hours at a time.
7) I love the constant learning that goes along with fishing and being in the outdoors.
8) I love being on the water. Having grown up on a river that lays between two Great Lakes may have something to do with this.


Regards,
Jim

[Smokin J]

I like to fish because its one of the few things an old, fat guy can do!!! (not very well at times, I might add)
Thanks

[AquaMan]

Not sure where you are going with this and you may get some hot remarks as a result, but I fish to catch fish, have fun with the kids and enjoy the outdoors. It's just plain fun. I don't think that anyone else will stray too much from these basics. Even the Pro's started because it was fun. It is a business for them now, but it has to remain fun. The big rigs, etc are just tools of the trade and have nothing to do with attitiude.

I could be off, but I think you might have a skewed perception based on an experience with a rare few. Certainly not the rule.

Oh yeah, according to the wife and kids my **** stink plenty. <grin>

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Gunga Din]

An inflated ego is personality trait--not a fisherman's trait. You'll encounter inflated egos no matter what you do or where you go. It's not even limited to boat fishermen--even among bank fisherman there are know-it-alls. Pursue your own interests for your own reasons. Relax, take the higher road, and have fun.

[Eyemadman]

I fish out of an old tugboat and I wouldnt trade for a brand new boat ( wont mention names )!

1. Love to be out on the water its therapy
2. Camping cooking out ,cold ones when the day is done
3. Catching a few if there hitting.
4. Getting out of the office away from PC,phonrs etc.
5. I dont need to go to Mexico Hawaii, Carribean I can go fishing and have more fun, But the girls like that stuff
6. Why ask Why?

[Mike]

1) A great excuse to drink beer at 6 in the morning.

2) It beats mowing the lawn.

3) The boss doesn't fish.

4) A shore lunch tastes better than the mother-in-law's pot roast.

5) If you fish, your s*** doesn't stink!

[Phil T.]

It was expected of us old farm boys, as was hunting. An older relative started us, most of us continued on our own. Besides all the other reasons such as family time, love of outdoors, love of problem solving, lots of toys and gadgets, etc.; it satisfies a gambling urge. Think about it. You spend money in hopes of getting a reward. You always have to spend, and the rewards are a sometimes thing. Sopme even raise the stakes by entering tournaments, but anyone who spends money on bait, gas, boat payments, or licenses is gambling on getting a reward. A reward that is cheaper in the groceery store than self-caught. All those other reasons could be satisfied on a golf(Agh, a four-letter word!)course.

[Unky Mer]

My reasons can be broken into two areas: The challange of finding fish and the need to be on the water. I enjoy solving the puzzle of fish movement and behavior (or at least guessing as to the whens and whys) much the same way people enjoy a good chess match or any other hobby that requires thought process and study. Plus there is an indescribable feeling in my soul when I'm on the water. It's far deeper than the enjoyment of my time on the water. I really NEED to be on the water. It's a fix for me. A natural drug if you will. I never tire of it and pray to my maker that I never will. As for the boat, it doesn't matter. I fish out of an old aluminum and a big-buck fiberglass tricked boat. I enjoy them both.

[RANGER]

I'll ditto you Unky. I love figuring things out and relaxing on the water. Kinda Clears the Gray Matter, which I, personally, NEED!

As to showing-off - I don't think so! I do alot of things (hunt, fish, camp, hike, whitewater canoeing and rafting, climbing etc.). When I started these activities I started with "Zebco" equipment. Good, but not where I hoped to be.

As any of us gets really INTO our sports we constantly are improving on ourselves and the "equipment" that goes with it!

Ask yourself a question - Would you buy another car without power windows, doorlocks, windshield washers, power steering, etc., etc.??? I don't think so! Sameoh, sameoh, with anything that a person GETS INTO.

You are going to find the few that are out there to "impress" everyone, but, not many.

This sport and others are all evolutionary. I doubt that any of us wants to go back to a twig and string!

RANGER

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"1

[erik]

LAST EDITED ON May-18-00 AT 01:52PM (CST)[p]I watch the sun come up with my dad and brother usually at least once a week during the fishing season and every weekend morning during the duck season. If we didn't fish this wouldn't happen, plain and simple. I'm not saying there's some great bond and we need a group hug everytime we fish, but words can't express how important it is to me.
As for the ego thing, I remember the fishless days just as well as the rest. And yes, we enjoy our fishing in a pretty decent rig. Its big and plush and fast, but most of all its comfortable for us and we've worked and traded our way up through 4 boats beginning with a 12 footer over 18 years ago. We had just as much fun in the other boats and probably caught more fish, but we did it, and still do it together. As for our **** not stinking, just anchor down wind of us someday and you'll find out for yourself...

[TickBite]

Yo, Is this smokin' Joe Alcova Mr. Bang Bang Himself? I know how you got your name.
Bang, &*^%&^%## Trout, cast....... Bang, ##$%*&^* Trout, cast......... Bang, ##$@&^%^ Sucker. Son of a #$#%@%$#^ Where the Walleye? Me wanta Bang, Bang.

[Silver/MI]

Ego fishing? You're crazy. To me the ego people are the golfers, the speed boaters, jetskiers, Classic car, and lawncare freaks. Fishing is plain simple fun. For me it's challenge of finding fish, the fun of the fight, and eating the fish. I suppose there is some bragging about what I catch amongst fishing friends, but non fishmen think your a redneck if you talk about it. My 14 ft. aluminum boat is ancient and I like it that way.

[brad/nd]

To put it simply, it's a sport that is challenging, relaxing, & rewarding at the same time!!
And it's something the whole family can do together, tough to beat that!!
Take care,

Brad

["COMA"]

I always thought it was because jesus walked on the water and just the mere thought of this major accomplishment is enough to draw curious minds closer. As far as the big flashy rigs go. I think they want to make sure every body is looking when they finally get up enought nerve to try it for themselves.? Well I had this thought once any ways. HEY! LOOK! > FISH ON! :-Þ

[dfm]

I fish for most of the reasons stated. It's a challenge, it makes me think. One of the biggest highs I've had is catching a decent fish...figureing it out. There have been some pretty big lows also when I thought I had it figured out and got skunked. Fishing has a way of deflating some pretty big egos! Catching fish is not what it is all about. Just being on the water and nature have a way of bring things into perspective for me. Fishing makes the rest of life easier to get through. There is nothing I would rather do than fish.

[Don]

EGO's? As a whole, fishermen are some of the nicest folk you will meet anywhere. Hunters too. What to be around a bunch of ********s, spend a week at the golf course. I swear evey citizen with no upbringing owns a driver.

[Phil T.]

Twig and string? Funny you should mention that. I have a photograph my late father took of me when I was four years old. I'm at the side of an Oregon stream, with a twig, string, hook, and worm; fishing. He always said I could sit like that for hours and never lose interest.

[Ness]

An ego thing??? Hardly, considering the reaction
I usually get from people that find out I love to
fish... YOU DO WHAT?????

[Polski]

Beer at 6 in the morning? Oh yeah, IT'S NOON SOMEWHERE!

[Smokin J]

Hey Tickbite
I am not sure but you might have me confused with someone else. I never talk that way when I am out on the lake relaxing!!!! I just sit back and let things happen as they will!
Smokin J

[Ron]

LAST EDITED ON May-19-00 AT 07:51PM (CST)[p]It is cheaper than a long-term relationship with a psychiatrist. (Just barely!)

[jbird]

I started fishing as soon as I could hold a rod in my hand. My dad got me hooked(lol) on fishin. As the years went on I played many sports in high school and also in college. I have the competitors blood runnin thru my veins and what better to cure that urge than to fish tournaments. I don't have a big ego and there have been lots of times I goose egged out on the water. I just love the sport, and think every kid should have a father to teach them how to fish or hunt, or even shoot trap anything like that. We would have alot less crimes of this generation. Most of there focus would be in these areas because what can a youth do when they get out of high school for fun???
just my 2 cents
jbird

[Fritz]

A bad day fishing beats a great day at work!

A year ago I finally broke down and bought the 'big' rig. While I haven't taken the old boat out since, I have gone fishing from shore on several occassions.

Now the reason I bought the 'big' rig, is that I figure I finally grew up. You know that the only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys! :)

[CY-kik]

You are asking a question that you belive you already know the answer to. You feel short commings relitive to your own " fishing rig " or you "shore fish" on occation. You are relativly young and are still searching for your own passion. You smoke & have a drinking problem, you are on your 2nd marriage and have 3 young kids. Oh.. did you say you go fishing, The other stuff above I already knew..