Standing out on the edge of the dock on a quiet, early morning watching the sun crest over the horizon as I prepare to bait my hook… I take a deep breath of sweet salty air and feel nothing but peace and a calm joy within my heart. Some say fishing is boring. In my opinion, there is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than a day on the water waiting for that little nibble on the end of my line.
They say patience is a virtue and a necessary skill for fishing. I cannot deny it but it is so much more than having patience to land that big one. As a true angler, you need patience. Fish will nibble but not always bite. The joy comes from waiting until that one moment when you react just as the fish opens their mouth to swallow your bait and nab your catch.
Alas until that moment, patience is the name of the game. But fishing is so much more than just waiting for the right moment to land your catch. It is about immersing yourself in your surroundings and appreciating all that is beautiful in life and in the world. I take a moment and perform an inventory of all five senses. Breathe deeply and notice how the air smells. Listen to the birds and the breeze rustling through the trees. Watch the sun as it passes through the sky and feel the warmth of the rays. Touch the water and feel the cool, clean texture.
Fishing is to take a break from the constant barrage of stimuli of technology, the job or whatever else captures your attention on a daily basis and return to what really matters in life. Take a moment and listen to the sounds of your own breath and just maybe your soul will speak words of wisdom in the silence of nature.
By LA DiNardi
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