why do we do it?

For me it is 2 fold.  Anticipation and adrenalin.   The anticipation in sitting at my desk and tying flies or egg sacs.  The anticipation of every cast could be the one.   Then the adrenalin of the hit and the fight.   It is also an addiction for me also,  I like to get high on life

To date that is the best post I've seen.

OC disease.  Or you could just be like most people and express it through football!  At least with fishing, you get a lot of exercise, and you practice patience (or end up in jail when you loose it with some of the idiots!)
 
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Nice post bear. There's bothersome people where ever ya go. Never once even thought of coming to blows over anything on the river. I did voice my opinion 2 weeks ago when a guy jumped in my spot while my son and I went up with a fish. He listened and left. For the most part its not worth it to me to comment on someone's stupidity on the river unless they are obviously not in the know of what they're doing so I will politely comment to try my best to inform and leave it at that... (did I just dethrone twobob from king of run on sentence???)

I fish for enjoyment and time well spent. Very big reason why I start early and end before most even come. When it turns in to timing your drift and fighting for a spot its not fun for me. I like that one trace Atkins song about fishing with his daughter. He refers to fishing as a quality of life and time well spent while his daughter thinks they're "just fishing".... as many here say, its not the fish.... its the "fishing"... time well spent whether its with friends, family, or solitary enjoyment. Tight lines boys, the river is full. Go get em!!!

One more thought. Last Sunday I hit the water with my son. In an hour we hooked three and landed two. Fishing was good. I was shocked when he looked up at me and said let's go. He said we caught enough and it was time to work...I thought it was hysterical and was happy myself as I really didn't want to be there anyway!!!

It has a diversity of benefits.  I like to fish alone. I like to fish with friends. I hate fishing around people. I like having the camaraderie of people catching fish around me.  If I'm catching fish, the surroundings don't matter. I go to great lengths to fish in beautiful places.  Numbers don't matter. I set goals for myself and count fish and size. I have  a lifetime of great fishing memories, yet that's not near enough to get me through today. As with most addicts, my life and thoughts are filled with contradictions.  Fishing makes them go away. The voices in my head, I mean. fish.... fish..... fish....

I'll say fishing very well may have saved my life.
In my early teens when I discovered flyfishing it gave me something to focus my energies on rather than the self destructive course I was on.
 
DB you will never take the kingdom of run on sentences away from me.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Hopefully the kindergartners on both sides of the aisle down there will get some reason together before then, and we can get on with the business of life, and you can get your paid leave.  I've got two projects that are scheduled to go off in the next couple of months that took years of cajoling and sweet talking to get arranged, and both will go south soon from this.  And that might be the straw that breaks this camel's back (which would definitely get me out fishing more, but probably for carp at the bottom of the hill, 'cause that's as far as I'll be able to go on a bicycle.) 
 
L13

As far as the children are concerned, i work in the building and its not looking good. Just too fundamentally different right now. Tuna, you are lucky your wife is ok with all your activities. Im lucky to go hunting twice a year. Unless it involves the kids now, the chain doesnt get loosened often.

that's right my son has been my get out of jail free card for a long time now and he's only 6 I started him very young and it has work to my benefit.he already handles minOr entanglements and once set up he can handle his own with a spin Or fly rod. If you have a pool its great practice for them casting. Even if not, a cheap push button with a practice weight works well for casting in the back yard

You're lucky BB.
My son is about to turn 27 and hasn't had an interest since he was 15 or 16.
I keep waiting!

I am a hunting, fishing, trapping, and most anything outdoors addict.  Get out there and do all your favorite activities while you can.  I am presently unable to because of a physical disability.  I am recovering and can hardly wait to get back out there.  I survive by watching it on tv and the internet and listening to and reading your stories.  God bless you all and keep on keeping on.

db you bring up a great point..
when I first typed on this thread it was really about "me" ..
As I look back and read some of folks post, I want it to be about "them" , my kids and grand kids..
My grandson is 2 and he loves fishing.. So far to his credit he has landed on his own many blue gills and a nice 14" brown.. He has a spider man pole..
He can cast it but accuracy is not his strong point to say the least yet..lol
My 5 year old grand daughter has the same catches to her credit (12" brown) but seems less interested in the fishing game .. Still we try as long as her attention span allows and I have 2 other grand kids yet to introduce to the sport.. Better yet, have their parents share the same passions so they can enjoy their time with them too..
 
My children 28,28 & 25 were not so lucky growing up with a dad (me) that worked many crazy hrs (like now) and had little time to take the "kids" fishing as it was more about "me" then..
I once took my son when he was 14 to the SR during salmon season and he hated it.. He never went fishing again until last winter with me and again this spring for stripers .. Now that we have all found our way, we do many outdoors activities together and enjoy the time .. My 1 son just got his hunting license last spring at age 28 and cant wait to get back in the woods with me and his brother this weekend.. My other son has shot a few deer in his short few years hunting and also cant wait until this weekend although fishing still is not his fancy..
 
Why I always talk about Ice so often is that I can not wait to get all my kids and grand kids on the hard water together.. .. It's a type of fishing that allows anyone access and ability is minimal..
I don't think I will ever introduce my kids, grand kids to a fishing style such as the SR again but I wish to spend time on the water with them and it being about "us"..  My time is only growing shorter..

Kids can be different  than we are and its OK- a big world out there and what we like they may not . Mine liked the outdoor things when young and drifted away  in their late teens and early 20s. One came back to it and the other didn't. They were exposed ,had good times and memories but made their own choices- thats life.
Most important is that they are  achievers  in their fields and great dads themselves.
  One sons son  liked it till his early teens then didn't any more and the other sons son is a real outdoor kid.
 Forrest Gump said something  about a box of chocolates--ya never know what your gonna get- lol. ( but its always good stuff anyhow IMHO)

Now for the gear junkie addiction:
found a GREAT score on craigslist, Clint keep your eyes open..
Got these 2 for wicked CHEAP !! Some guy bought a storage unit and has no clue about ice..
The 150 is brand spanking NEW and the other great shape..
I'm ready to "do it" , bring on the ice:

 

 
This makes shanties number 4.. Plenty of fun for all :)

And I thought you were set up at Stony's! LOL.
 
Now you have a village to be mayor of!  Great buy!
 
L13