Wisdom That Comes From the Best Sport on Earth

 

It's Called Fishing Not Catching:  This blog post is in partnership with our friends at Riversmith, a fly rod roof rack manufacturer based out of Boulder, CO.  Check them out!

How many times have you headed out for a day of fishing, only to come home empty-handed? If you're like most people, the answer is probably quite a few. And how many times have you been successful in your fishing endeavors? Again, for most people the answer is probably not as often as they would like. But that's okay, because fishing isn't really about catching fish.

Of course it's nice to catch a fish now and then, but if your sole focus is on catching one, then you're going to miss out on all the other great things that come with fishing. Take some time to unplug from the world, relax, and be immersed in the scenery. Savor the moment with your friends and family. Listen to the sounds of nature. And above all, appreciate the fact that you're out there doing something you love.

 
Getting "In Touch" With Nature

Fly fishing is a great way for anglers to get "in touch" with nature. Most fly fishing destinations plop you right in the thick of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Whether you're casting your line in a river surrounded by mountains or in a secluded lake nestled in the woods, fly fishing gives you access to some of the most picturesque locations imaginable. The effect these environments have on our internal landscape is abundant; being out in the wild is wonderful medicine for the soul.

But fly fishing is about more than just pretty scenery; it's also about getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When you're out fly fishing, you're disconnected from your phone, your email, and all the other distractions of modern life. For a few hours, you're able to completely focus on the task at hand: enjoying nature and simply waiting for a bite. Often, a day spent fishing is all we need in order to reset our minds and return to society feeling refreshed and ready for what is coming next.

 

Forget Your Day-To-Day Concerns

When you're on the river, all your worries seem to melt right off of you and head downstream. When your fears and anxieties aren't on the water with you, things feel so simple; it's just you, the fish, and the peacefulness of nature. This can be an immense relief for people who are constantly bombarded with work-related stressors or who simply need a break from the hectic pace of daily life.

While catching a fish or three makes us feel rewarded, the real treasure of fishing is the way it allows us a break from our modern lives where there is so much going on all the time, all at once. When we're able to unplug from our to-do lists, work schedules, errands, and other's expectations for a little while, when we do return to our busy lives, we feel prepared and ready to take on anything life throws our way.

 

 

Letting Go of Expectations

Show me a person who enjoys fishing and I'll show you a person who is less likely to get caught up in expectations. Of course pulling in monster after monster all day long is fun for anyone, but what about when the fish just aren't biting?

A fisherman understands that there is an element of chance to the sport and that not every day is going to be a record-breaking one. This lack of attachment to expectations allows them to simply enjoy being out on the water, even when the fish aren't cooperating. Eastern traditions are rife with reminders that expectations are the precursor to a lot of suffering in our lives. Fishing is the perfect dojo to work with this aspect of ourselves and improve at enjoying a process more than its outcomes.

 

Fishing is often thought of as a solo activity, but it can be just as fun (if not more fun) when done with family and friends. It's the perfect opportunity to bond with loved ones while enjoying all the great things that come with being out in nature.

Some of our most cherished memories are made while fly fishing with the ones we love. These are the moments that we look back on and laugh; the stories that we tell time and again because they bring us so much joy. If you're looking for a way to create some lasting memories with your family and friends, go out and try fly fishing. You just might find that it's the perfect activity for making bonds that last a lifetime.

Little life lessons emerge from every aspect of the sport of fly fishing if you have the eyes to see them. So even if you have a day where you catch zero fish... you still spent a day fishing. We can reframe the day's outcome, whatever it might be, in whatever way we need to reap a positive, productive mindset rather than a negative, fruitless one.

This is a valuable life lesson that can be taken away from the sport and applied to other areas of our lives. If we're able to embrace this mindset, we'll find that there's always something to gain, no matter what the outcome might be.

Whether you're an experienced fly fisherman or someone who has never even held a rod before, there are countless life lessons to be learned from spending a day out on the water. Next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, remember that it's not about the catch, it's about the journey. And that journey just might be exactly what you need to reset your mind and return to society feeling refreshed and ready for what is to come.

 

This article was written by Riversmith, a fly rod roof rack manufacturer based out of Boulder, Colorado.