Its a time and place where I can set aside problems, big and small, if only for a brief period of time.

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.

I like the topic.  In my current situation I am one of the "essential" government employees.  While I am working, I will not see any money until the shutdown is over.  Then it will be retroactive and take a while to get to me.  Not meant to be a boo hoo story.  My trip up there is scheduled for Monday-Friday of next week.  I have had this leave in for over three months now.  If I take it, I will be put on "LWOP," leave with out pay status for that duration.  While I cannot afford to not get paid for five days, this is the one trip and leave of all the leave I use throughout the year that I actually look forward to.  No in-laws, no kids(too young to fish), no politics, no nothing except for the worries of whether I will catch a fish or not.  I bought new gear and I'm going no matter what.  This is why we do it.  I don't fish as often as you guys, but It will feel great to get on the water and just relax and have no worries.  Sometimes we just need to do things for us, and our sanity.  This will hopefully be my sanity trip. 

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

I do it because being outdoors year round is what keeps me going. I hunt, fish and live to be out there. I'm a year round fisher and dream about spring, fall and winter fishing most every day. Summer not so much, I could skip that season all together even though I used to do bass tournaments, yuck.

If the day comes I am unable to do those activities then what's the point of my being.
I don't see it as an addiction ( although the gear buying is ) its just a way of life for me and grateful to have a wife of 28 years that understands

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.

Take the kids fishing.  Yu don't get to fish as much as mentor, tie knots, bait hooks, etc. but it beats watching them play video games or lawn mowing.  Then they get older, and with any luck around the time you can't drive at night anymore, they take you fishing.
 
L13

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

yep you gotta start young and keep them going
my son started at 2, when he hit 16 i had him up at erie slamming steelies, he turns to me and says, dad i really don't like fishing, i'm done....he's 21 now and picked up a rod for the first time since this summer....i'm hoping he starts to enjoy it and our time together again, but if not he is missing out

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!