Why do we fish?

[theoldfart2]

Thought crossed what is left of my mind today as I watched some young Nippers fishing, is why do we go fishing?

Me, I go fishing to catch a fish or two to eat. Which is a bloody stupid thing to do because by the time I have bought the bait,bought the new hooks, swivs,etc and the time spent,I could have done a bit of work and bought something really nice to eat,and get some other bugger to cook it.

Why do we stand on a beach in January, when it is sleeting, and cold enough for the Brass Monkey, ( bet none of you know where that saying comes from, and Wicopedia is totally wrong!)

Now where were I , O yes. Is it the thrill of the hunt to go and catch a 4oz Pout.

Is it the fact that the TV is shite.

Is it this male bonding thing where we all sit naked around a beach fire rubbing each other with fermented Mackerel oil and whipping each other with lengths of Kelp , as we spin yarns about the one that got away, and try to out brag each other about how you never have to lift the toilet seat in your house, because you are the boss.

Why do we spend a lot of money on traces ( well I don't , just a hook and swivell running for me)  then cast it out knowing there is a good chance you will never see it again.

If you spent the same amount at the bookies you might get a winner and make a few bob.

So why do we do it?? 

I can see that if there is a comp, there is a prize, but we do it for pleasure? 

Are we all masochistics?

TOF.cdm, rmb ( to give my full title if you know what the letters stand for)

[loopy78]

Dangling time is ME time, away from all the stresses and strains of daily life. The tackle/gear/bait may be pricey but it's cheaper than therapy!!

[drooper]

forget about the fish caught, the weather ,the tackle and money outlay

we go fishing because we enjoy it, whether its peace n quiet, time with mates or teaching a youngun ...........we just enjoy fishing , fishing a comp - match anglers enjoy the feeling of competition, pleasure anglers enjoy the pleasure fishing gives them

after a long day or hard week a few hours spent chilling out fishing is what many crave , doesnt matter if they catch nothing

[eccles]

1. The rush of excitement when one hooks something big. (not happened to me lately but I know it will again)
2. A free meal of one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
3. The pride of bringing home something which only a few folk can achieve (mackerel excepted of course).

[Sunny]

Its the hunter in us ....we can't help getting a buzz from hunting

[snoopy54]

I think all four of you have hit the nail on the head ...... Brass Monkeys Old Fart,is that an old
nautical term,something to do with cannon balls freezing together?

I fish because it chills me out and theres the atavistict thrill when something big does pick up
up your bait every once in a blue Moon in my case but you carry on going because its addictive

[pompeykev]

It's how I relax - simple! With the added bonus of some potential excitement as you never know if/what you're going to catch...

[gm11]

it's cheaper than divorce (just)! simples

[walker]

I agree with all the answers of why we go but deep down I believe its because as Sunny says, we are hunters.

This would help to explains why some people take to the sport and others won't entertain it. In our past our natural talents would all assign us to different role's. I'm thankful this is mine and can enjoy everything that has been mentioned above.

[theoldfart]

Snoopy you are spot on. The monkey was the brass band that held the cannon balls in place on te old warships. They couldn't be anything else cos steel wasn't invented and iron tended to rust the balls together so the band was Brass But in cold weather the brass contracted and the balls popped out over the top, thereby freezing the balls off the Brass Monkey.

Ps CDM is Cadburys Dairy Milk, a medal Cadburys gave to anyone who bought a bar of chocolate in the 60s, RMB is Right Miserable Bastard