Is fishing important?
Depending on who you talk to, they’ll say fishing is a hobby, a way of life, a way to make a living or they could describe fishing as boring. To me, it's to appreciate nature and the important people around you. From a young age, that’s before the internet and smartphones were available, I had to find ways to entertain myself. Fishing played a role in keeping me out of trouble.
The neighborhood I grew up in was surrounded by rice paddies, small streams and natural ponds. There were various fish that lived in those bodies of water. I wanted to catch every species I could see. However, being only 7 years old, I didn’t have the money to buy fishing gear. I saved up by collecting recyclable material such as scrap metal, newspapers, and bottles. After what seemed like forever, I had enough to buy three hooks and a few meters of fishing line from a local store.
A fishing rod was out of the question. Good thing I lived in a tropical county. Bamboo was everywhere. I made my bamboo pole look like a conventional fishing rod with guides. However my reel was just a t-shaped block of wood. Hey, it don’t need to look pretty. It just has to work.
Today, I fished with my son, friends and other family members. Fishing allows us to enjoy nature. Respect the water because it can be potentially dangerous. Fishing helps us bond and strengthen our relationships. We also help the local economy by supporting mom and pop tackle shops, join fishing events like tournaments and meetups.
Fishing can help ease a troubled mind. I admit that fishing can be frustrating. Especially if you don’t catch anything. However, the thrill of the catch will always lure you in to cast one more time.