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The Personal Rewards of Fishing
The Personal Rewards of Fishing

Why do you fish, or why would you want to try fishing? The short answer is that it's "fun". But it's not THAT simple. We're all about science and research here at Into the Outdoors, so let's take a moment to reveal the deeper meaning of the "fun" of fishing into nine defined areas of "personal rewards". Once you've read all the answers below, go ahead and watch the video here to see if you can identify more (or list new ones from your personal fishing adventures).

  1. We're programmed to fish: Believe it or not, some say fishing is part of our DNA and who we are as Paleo-hunters because it fulfills our instinct of pursuing and catching our own food. Besides making us more sustainable as a human on Planet Earth (if you consume some of the fish you catch), fishing both calms and excites our senses. Some say the excitement comes from feeling that shock in your hands when the fish strikes your bait while others think it’s the excitement of reeling in that thrashing fish fighting on the end of your line. So fulfilling some primal and exciting interaction with something wild is a kind of personal reward.
  2. Create Lasting Memories: Studies show that many people equate "happiness" with creating and recalling treasured memories. That makes sense, right? When most people recall a memory of something "fun" or special in their lives, it often includes several key elements: 1) interacting with nature in the outdoors, 2) bonding with family and friends, 3) a first-time experience with something new. Fishing of course checks all those boxes. But so do a lot of things that fail to generate lasting treasured memories. Here's a simple test; ask five people if they remember catching their first baseball, swinging a golf club or hooping their first basket. Chances are few or none will recall those foggy memories of their favorite "sporting pastime". Now ask the same people if they remember catching their first fish. Betcha get a very different response. So yeah, fishing creates lasting memories that equate to happiness for many people.
  3. A great way to unwind: Let’s admit it. Chores around the house, school homework, and the stress of growing up in a world full of ADULTS can sometimes make us kids go coyote crazy with stress. The cure? Fishing is your passport to a stress-free world where you can simply enjoy being outdoors, breathing fresh air, and waiting for the lunker to bite your hook. Some experts believe that fishing brings on a special sense of being free and alive when interacting with nature on the water. Now that’s a sure-fire combo for unwinding.
  4. Creating Social Bonds: Look, you can Facebook and Twitter your way around cyberspace until your thumbs fall off. But nothing forms stronger relationships better than face-to-face time with genuine family and friends. And for some unexplained reason, fishing with family and friends can actually cement bonds that last a lifetime. Besides, who better to help you land that big fish than your parents or peeps?

Alright, you're about half way through the personal rewards of fishing. Click on the "Learn More" button below to discover the other 5 personal rewards we listed. And for all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.

And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.

Official Boater Safety Coursesand Boat Safety Education Materials

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canadahttps://www.boat-ed.com/

 

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