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The Benefits of Fishing

Posted by on May 22, 2014

The Benefits of Fishing

It Is Good for the Heart

Yesterday at 4:00 PM, I left the office and went fishing. On a Tuesday evening, instead of watching TV, I enjoyed the warming rays of the sun and the refreshing breeze while drifting on the water in my kayak.  While gazing at my surroundings, I realized fishing really is beneficial to one’s health and well-being and that to live a long and healthy life, I should fish more.

benefits of fishing


Benefit number one of fishing: Vitamin D absorbed into the skin from the sun. Vitamin D helps the intestine absorb nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus. This ensures strong bones and a strong immune system. So in order for me to not catch the flu and make sure my bones are good and strong long into old age, I need to fish more.

benefits of fishing
Benefit number two is stress relief. With every cast of the rod, the struggles of making ends meet, the weight of getting that last report out, and the general grind of life is released out of your neck and shoulders. I swear I can feel a tingle in my fingers with every cast as the tension leaves my body. Being on the water has a natural calming effect. Fishing allows one to focus on the task at hand, forgetting for a while all that clutters the mind. Avoiding problems is not the answer, but stepping away for an afternoon on the water, provides time to clear the mind.

benefits of fishing
Experiencing the natural world that surrounds us, would have to be benefit number 3. Yesterday, I watched an osprey sitting on her nest, listened to wood ducks whistle as they flew up the creek. I watched a blue heron catch a fish and watched a bald eagle miss his catch. I witnessed the changing of the tide, revealing new beach and watched the changing of the spring colors along the bank as the sun faded off into the west. Fishing provides time outside away from the TV and computer watching real life happen.  I enjoy it so much, that sometimes I just roll out of the kayak and get wet, just for the fun of it.  But I do need to stop doing that during duck season when the water is so dang cold.

benefits of fishing
Two new invasive species have entered the waters in and around the Maryland area; the Snakehead and the Blue Catfish. Both are impacting the local waterway habitats.  To what extent depends on who you ask. The upside is benefit number 4 of fishing, food. Ironically both of these new additions of local waters are excellent table fare and are in seemingly unlimited supply for the fisherman who targets them. The bass hooked from my kayak are released to swim again, but snakeheads and catfish go home for dinner.  Nothing like cleaning fish to connect with and truly learn where your food comes from.

benefits of fishing
And finally the number one benefit of fishing is that it is just plain old fun. Roll all the above up in one package and either experience it with a friend or two, or alone with your own thoughts, but fishing is fun and good for you both physically and mentally. I believe if more people fished, the world would be a much better place.  I know I’m happier when I’m fishing.

portsouth island driving
See you on the water, I’m going fishing.