Fishing, a Lifestyle, Not a Hobby

In a world where everyone is almost always looking at some type of device, whether it be a phone, a television, a laptop, or even a smart watch, people tend to forget all of the enjoyable qualities that mother nature has to offer. Fishing is one of the various ways we can take advantage of nature. You might be looking for a way to relieve some stress, or be engaged in the environment, or maybe you just want to find something that can be fun and competitive to keep you away from the internet and technology. Well fishing is a great way to do just that. More people should adopt fishing because it acts as a natural stress reliever, keeps you active in the environment and can be competitive at times.

One thing that caught my attention over the years I have been fishing is it seems as if all of my stress tends to disappear when I am on the water. This is noticed by people all over as “Of the nine percent of Americans currently considering taking up the sport, 38 percent of them are interested in it as a means of relieving stress” (Wise). This statistic may be shocking to some, but once you actually experience the gentle, soothing sound of the waves and the fresh air you will see why so many think of it this way. The sport has also been proven to help those who suffer from PTSD. A 2009 study shows “after three days of fly fishing, participants reported a 32 percent reduction in guilt and a 43 percent decrease in feelings of hostility” and “the feeling of fear was also reduced by 30 percent, and sadness dropped by 36 percent” (Wise). A beautiful day spent in a mountain stream followed by a dinner of grilled fish. Sounds idyllic doesn’t it? Spending long hours in nature with a focused task is akin to meditation, an activity linked to lowered blood pressure and decreased anxiety.. http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-fishing/

I know what you are thinking, what if I already have a way to rid myself of stress. Well what if I told you fishing can keep you engaged in the environment. Since fishing keeps you in the environment, you would in turn want to protect the environment right? Well that is exactly what it does since most anglers “act as custodians of the waters they fish and are often the first to notice and report pollution incidents or other environmental issues that need addressing” (“Fishing and the environment: why the two are inextricably linked”). The fact of it preserving the environment should alone be enough to encourage you to go fishing.Much of the fisheries research in Britain is stimulated by concerned anglers and fisheries scientists who seek to find answers to key environmental questions. One such question is why have Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations plummeted throughout their range over the past few decades? The scientific evidence suggests the decline is due to a combination of factors ranging from parasite infestations, arising from the dirty business of some salmon farming, to barriers to fish migration, habitat loss and water quality issues. Anglers have played a key role in the conservation effort by helping to collect data (e.g. scale samples), carrying out habitat restoration work and releasing gravid hen fish destined for their spawning grounds, each of which will deposit around 8200 eggs. Some individual anglers have gone to extreme lengths to save the Atlantic salmon. Orri Vigfussen, Founder and Chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, is one such angler. He has successfully brokered the buyout of numerous unsustainable commercial drift net fisheries and is credited with having saved in the region of 5.5 million Atlantic salmon.

Anglers put their money where their mouth is and are passionate about the environment. By purchasing fishing licenses and paying special taxes that they themselves have agreed upon anglers have helped to fund many of the wildlife and conservation programs that exist in the United States and here in Virginia. They also contribute to non-game and education programs, and to the purchase of thousands of acres of public lands, where everyone is welcome to recreate year round. Anglers are also acutely aware of the importance of clean water and air and pride themselves on protecting and preserving our environment, natural communities, and valuable habitat. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/top-10-reasons-to-go-fishing/

Ask most anglers why they enjoy spending time in the outdoors and you’re likely to hear the word “freedom.” Spending a day afield casting for trout on a cool mountain stream or