Whenever I go out fishing with my father I often find people asking me, Don't you get bored waiting for a fish to bite?" or "Wouldn't you rather be doing something more exciting?". My answer is always the same, "No".
The thing is, it isn't about catching fish. Of course, it is nice when we do because it is exhilarating, but the reason fishing is so great despite what we catch is the fact that it is quality time with my father. Time is one thing you can never get back. If I was able to spend my whole life on a boat fishing with my father I would be content in life. The majority of the time when my father and I are in the boat we aren't even talking. We are sitting in our chairs watching for the planer board flags to go down (that means a fish has bit). It isn't always about the words exchanged or talks we have on the boat, yes sometimes we do have deep conversations, but the silence says so much too.
Another reason there is so much more to fishing than "just waiting for a fish to bite" is the beautiful scenery of mother nature. After the first two hours of sitting on the boat my brain has finished processing everything in life, by then my eyes and mind begin to wander. You begin to notice the rhythm the wind is blowing the trees in, you begin to compare the similarities and differences with every wave that crashes into the shore. It has even reached the point of watching and predicting which bubble floating on the water's surface is going to pop next. You begin to notice every aspect of nature and just how beautiful it is.
There is no other memory or atmosphere that compares to those tournament mornings. You wake at 4:45 AM to race down to the landing because you know how important it is to have everything in the boat, strapped down, in your seat, and ready for the 6 AM flare. There is no adrenaline rush that compares to 74 boats hitting the gas at the same time pushing threw each other's waves to get to their hot spot of the day and catch their limit. Everyone in that one place has the same thoughts and goals for the day. Before you know it 1 PM has hit and you are waiting in a line of boats for weigh-ins.
Being out on the water is like living a whole other life, worry free and stress-free. You forget all about your problems for a while and it is amazing. However, you know as soon as you get back to shore all of life's stresses will come rushing back. Being out on the water is an escape from reality, it a place where you can pretend for a few hours that everything in life is okay and will work out. It is a safe place. It is a happy place.
