After a stressful day at work, you drive home and run into congested traffic. Horns beeping, drivers selfishly not using their turn signals, and bumper-to-bumper cars fill your senses. The only thing that is helping you hold it all together is the anticipation of your promised reward awaiting you at home. No, I do not mean your couch or bed; I mean your fishing rod and gear. For most of us, fishing has become a great escape from daily stressors and struggles. So, is fishing peaceful?
Is Fishing Peaceful? – It Depends on Your Mindset
The adventure that awaits us on the weekend is a common motivator to get through the tough week. Although I made fishing my career back in 2016, I still vividly remember what it felt like getting off work on Friday and being elated to pack up my gear and head out on the water to escape the stress from the week and clear my head. The quiet movements of the water, the wind rustling through the trees, and the adrenaline-pumping sound of the drag pulling when a fish is in on the line were all parts of what I called my “water therapy”.
A typical day of fishing could last up to 6-8 hours without even realizing the time spent on the water. Time flies by when you can focus on the peace and not what time it is. I am often surrounded by anglers who are stressed out or frustrated with how the fishing is. Sometimes it is stress about their boats, their gear, the lack of fish being caught, the weather, etc. Some people make fishing seem more stressful than the other parts of life, most of us are seeking relief from. But is fishing a stressful experience, or can it be therapeutic? I guess it can be whatever you make it, like any other hobby or task.
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Escape from The Daily Grind
To me and most anglers, fishing provides a respite from the real world or our daily stress. When I found my true passion for fishing, I was simply just getting through. My work week is over, and I’m waiting for the weekend fishing trip so I can be truly happy and relaxed. When I realized that I could just make my career about fishing, and then I would never need a vacation, I was awakened to the true peace that fishing brought me.
Can it be stressful when the fish aren’t biting? Sure. But I prefer to focus on the fishing rather than the catching. The act of casting, hearing the water rustle against the kayak or boat, and the anticipation of landing a great catch are all I need to be at peace and feel fulfilled at the end of a fishing day.
Is Fishing Peaceful?
My best advice is to go into your outdoor adventure excited about the journey and don’t worry about the destination. Consider the time you spend on the water as time with yourself, where you can be a part of nature and peace, versus a part of the daily stressors. This is your opportunity to find peace and breathe the fresh air.
Remember to focus on fishing and not just catching, and you will never have a bad day on the water. Always keep casting.
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