Fishing Therapy is recreation and sport.

In Nature

Fishing therapy is recreation and sport. When we fish, we are in nature.  Sometimes, we are in the water.   We can be on the water.  Sometimes, we are near the water.  We are outdoors.  A deep breath in the fresh air, a stretch in the sunlight, smelling a wild flower, lying down in the grass are all simple ways to be in nature.  Being in nature calms emotions clearing the mind.

Primal Instincts

When we fish,  we experience some basic instincts.  Our hunting/gathering nature is kicks in as we search for the deep hole in the lake or the eddy behind the rock or the break in the weeds.  We battle the fish rather than the store clerk or mechanic or teacher or neighbor.  Even if we don’t eat fish, after a successful catch. we find some sense of pride in knowing that we could provide.

A Healthy Pastime

Fishing is healthy.  When we hook that fish, our heart races.   Our breath quickens,  We begin the exercise of playing the fish.  A day of walking the bank, wading the stream or moving about the boat can be quite a workout. Some fishing spots challenge us with strenuous climbing across logs and over rock or scrambling up and down steep river banks.

Good Therapy

Fishing Therapy is good therapy.  We laugh and yell in delight.  We talk to the fish on the line and in the water.  Doing all the actions of fishing like casting, baiting the hook or reading the water makes us proud. We enjoy friendly competition with buddies and famiy.   Stories of  “the one that got away”,from family fishing trips, are told for decades.  Everything around us fades, for just awhile and we feel better when we fish.

Good for Everyone

Whether we are world class athletes or hampered by a physical disability, we can go fishing.  Children using their first fishing rod need help.  One person may not like baiting a hook.  Another may be afraid to take a fish off the line.  Someone may not want to go ocean fishing because they get sea sick.  Another person may not want to be in a boat at all.  Everyone can find some way, some where to go fishing.

I am quite convinced that the world would be a different place if our  leaders regularly fished together.

Please leave a comment below.  Why do you fish?  Would you like to start fishing?