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“Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes, you are ready.” ― Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea

Don’t throw in the towel, hang in there, the next cast may be the one that brings in the big one.Are you a newbie or an avid fisherman or woman?  Regardless, the time spent outdoors, enjoying nature, and losing yourself in your thoughts while waiting for a nibble is priceless. 

Just lay back and relax as you imagine yourself there, by a riverbank, a lake-shore, or maybe leaning on a wharf or pier rail breathing in the salty sea breeze.  Gently, lose yourself in your imagination and be there in a vivid daydream.  The truth is that fishing is one of the best sports that stimulate self-reflection and unity with nature.  Just lose yourself in thought and rediscover who you are, what makes you tick, and what your real goals are all about.

Less Stress!

   THE POET ANGLER 
                                   ― Robert Lee

Not a fish have I caught
Not a rhyme have I thought
An empty creel and an empty mind
What a lovely way to just unwind

Imagine fishing only for health reasons, and it’s one of the most natural means to lower cortisol levels! The best part is that the results of one leisure fishing experience can last up to weeks.  Amazing, right! Stress reduction while having fun and catching dinner! That sounds pretty healthy to me!   The health benefits of managing our stress and, therefore, our cortisol levels allow us to be more mindful of our health.

• Improves our cognitive function
• Strengthens our immunity system
• Clears our mind and helps us put things into perspective
• Relaxes our muscles preparing us for good stress such as exercise

While you are out there fishing and lost in meaningful or inconsequential thought, don’t forget the benefits of all that Vitamin D you are soaking up!  There’s nothing like sunshine warming the skin and making you feel renewed. Vitamin D provides a boost to the immune system, and it puts you in a good mood! How many unhappy people do you see out enjoying the sunshine? I rest my case.

Healthy Eating!

Is all this talk about fishing, spending time with loved ones, and relaxing after a hike to your favorite fishing spot making you hungry? Making your way back to shore and cooking up that catch from your trip is both exciting and healthy! Fish is loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids[3].  Omega 3s are great for reducing blood pressure and decreasing your risk of stroke. Eating fish has also been known to help eyesight and even childhood asthma (Heding, 2019)[2]. Google “Fishing Guide” and the zip code of your favorite fishing spot to figure out the types of fish you will catch. Keep in mind that you have to check and make sure your fishing area has safe fishing.

Family time!

Kids love to fish! Their innate sense of adventure will open their minds to endless possibilities.  Kids are inquisitive, and being close to nature will quench their thirst for knowledge about nature.  Life jackets are a must even if they know how to swim! Don’t forte bug repellent and earth-friendly sunblock.  It’s not just the fishing that is exciting but getting to spend that special one-on-one time dad and/or mom. These are fun experiences that create memories that last a lifetime.

Fitness!

Fishing also works to help with kid’s physical dexterity, not to mention older folk’s spatial and mental nimbleness. While enjoying the sport, learning new skills, and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, we are using essential muscle groups.

• Deltoids and shoulder ex-tensors
• Pectorals
• Biceps
• Triceps
• Thighs Back

Steps to take before you cast the line

1. Get a fishing license
2. Fishing kit
3. Fishing pole or rod – bamboo or fiberglass, graphite, etc.
4. Live bait – red-worms, crickets, crayfish
5. Bucket for bait
6. Line
7. Hooks to match your bait
8. Bobber – attached to a baited hook
9. Needle-nose pliers
10. Cooler and ice

Now you are ready to watch your bobber.  When you see the bobber suddenly immersed in the water, quickly raise the lope up to hook the fish.  Then with a slight movement, lift the pole up so that the line swings toward you.  Once you have caught your fish, using needle-nose nose pliers, disengage the hook from the fish.  You are now free to gently throw the fish back in the water or place it in an ice chest to cook for dinner later that day.

Enjoy every step of the way to catching your prize, the sunshine and the time on your own or with the family will only benefit you. The experience will be imprinted in the memory of everyone involved for a long time to come. Take a few photos to commemorate the afternoon away from digital devise, gadgets, and computer screens!

SOURCES

1. The Poet Angler by Robert Lee retrieved for All Poets website. Retrieved on March 22, 2020, from https://allpoetry.com/poem/15006794-The-Poet-Angler-by-RogerLee

2. 11 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cortisol Levels, Written by Matthew Thorpe, MD, Ph.D. on (2017). Retrieved on March 22, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-lower-cortisol

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Tied to Fewer Childhood Asthma Symptoms. (2020). Retrieved March 22, 2020, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/omega-3-fatty-acids-tied-to-fewer-childhood-asthma-symptoms