It's not always about catching fish

[Geezle]

(but catching them does help!)

On Saturday I was fishing with ghostguy6 and he was telling me about the wicked fishing he'd had earlier that day out at Chickacoo. It sounded like a lot of fun, so I figured "I should get in on some of that" and headed out yesterday around noon. Well, I fished there for a little over an hour, and though the little lake was pretty busy, I only saw one other guy pull in a little rainbow.

I don't usually care for fishing with a crowd if I can avoid it, so I packed up and wandered next door to Sauer. Tossed some bait out and right away got a good solid hit, but I didn't connect. Got a couple more good hits right away after that but no dice. Didn't catch a fish at all that day, but here's the neat part.

I was sitting out on an old beaver lodge that was very obviously not used by beavers anymore. I stood up to reel in my line and right by the edge of the beaver lodge I saw something go zipping under the lodge :confused: I saw it a couple more times and finally got a good look and saw it was a muskrat. Turns out the lodge was part of his path and in his comings and goings and he was just passing under it and coming out the other side to his hole in the bank...spent quite a bit of time just watching him do his thing :)

Then I heard some crashing around in the bush. I looked behind me and expected to see somebody else coming down to the lake to fish, but instead there was a big ol' mulie doe just wandering around maybe 20 yards from me. I really wanted to get my phone out and take a pic, but i didn't want to move and spook her. I watched her wander around for a couple minutes and then I heard some people coming and she sauntered off into the bush. Thinking she was gone I went back to fishing, but about 5 minutes later I heard a big "WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP" sound and looked back and saw her go bouncing out of the bush and across the field :cool:

So, the moral of the story is, no fish for Jay, but a good afternoon nevertheless :)

[Guitarplayingfish]

Well, as the old saying goes "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work" =) Fish or not (even though your right, it is nice to catch one or two) there is nothing better than relaxing at your favorite fishing hole.

[fitzy]

I agree, Fishing is very rarely about catching fish for me. I love catching big fish that make your arms sore but I'm also a pretty big fan of hanging out on the shore of a little river with my kids or lounging around in my boat watching the world go by.
Nothing is as relaxing as fishing!!! Ambien eat your heart out

[duffy4]

Fishing is often a form of meditation.


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/duffy4/100_1365.jpg

Where you focus on the most important point in the universe. Your rod tip.

[jpietrzak1979]

"Catching fish is not everything"

HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT!?!?!?!??!??!?!??!!?!?!??!??!?!??!?!???!??!??!

[Geezle]

Well, as the old saying goes "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work" =) Fish or not (even though your right, it is nice to catch one or two) there is nothing better than relaxing at your favorite fishing hole.
True story :) Don't think I've ever really had a 'bad' time while out fishing :cool:

"Catching fish is not everything"

HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT!?!?!?!??!??!?!??!!?!?!??!??!?!??!?!???!??!??!

Sounds like you need to get out fishing a little more often ;)


edit: Duffy - that pic says it all! Next time I'm out I may have to steal your idea and take a similar shot of my own :cool:

[The Anvil]

To me fishing is my most enjoyable form of "Therapy"
If I catch something great, but it's the time away for me that I enjoy most.

[Geezle]

To me fishing is my most enjoyable form of "Therapy"
If I catch something great, but it's the time away for me that I enjoy most.

Ditto. I usually refer to fishing as my 'mental health' time :)

Especially when I go out by myself and there's nobody else around...it's just nice quiet time :cool:

[wildman]

HAH!!!
a few buds and i have a running list of phrases used to make getting skunked hurt less.....this thread is FULL of them!!! we call it the loser list, the skunk list, the duff list, you name it...all in fun tho....it really IS great just to get out!!!!!!

[alodar]

I dunno about you but I like catching fish...... but the trying is fun too i suppose. Especially when u catch tiny 12 and 14 cm walleyes

[Anomaly]

just stopped in at sauer this morning after a nightshift.
funny enough, i saw that muskrat at the beaverdam, and also momma deer trompin around towards chikako lol

and I also got skunked! rofl. beautiful spot though.

[Elkaholic6]

Went fishing the Little Smoky last night, while fishing on the bank we seen 2 cow elk, 1 bull elk, sow and 3 cubs and a muley doe. Really nice to see on top of the two 4 pound Walleyes we caught.

[Cal]

I kinda like catching fish myself but like you Geezle theres alot more than that to it. For me I like there to be a canoe and very few other people involved. A fish caught from a canoe without another fisherman in sight is worth 10 caught by the spillway standing shoulder to shoulder. Last week I enjoyed some dismal fishing watching an otter catch fish, I always figured they amushed them or somthing but anyone who's seen one go fishing knows how spectacular it can be.

[528guy]

If it was only about catching I wouldn't be doing it since I am about the lousiest catcher I know. One of my friends said it best, great at fishing, lousy at catching. For me it is all about getting away and feeling no stress, no pressure, no one but me, my dog and peace. Very therapeutic.

[TreeGuy]

Jay, you lad are beginning to learn the way. On more than one occasion, I've gone fishing without even wetting a line. You'll find yourself there sooner rather than later.

The sun has just set, the air is still. Upstream on the flats, hundreds of wee trout are surface feeding in the day's last light. Some sip, some swirl, some break the surface showing off. It's as though nature is putting on its own private show for you, and you alone. Savour those moments, for they will be what you remember far longer than any fish you ever reel in..........

[emskjoth]

My husband and I went to Chickacoo tonight and low and behold a mulie buck and doe came out of the bush and started wandering around. they stayed around at least 15mins until a car door slammed then they wandered back into the bush. It was wonderful to see! We also got skunked, but we wouldn't change a thing had a wonderful night and next time I will bring my camera.

[Geezle]

Jay, you lad are beginning to learn the way. On more than one occasion, I've gone fishing without even wetting a line. You'll find yourself there sooner rather than later.

The sun has just set, the air is still. Upstream on the flats, hundreds of wee trout are surface feeding in the day's last light. Some sip, some swirl, some break the surface showing off. It's as though nature is putting on its own private show for you, and you alone. Savour those moments, for they will be what you remember far longer than any fish you ever reel in..........

Well said Tree :)

[BobLoblaw]

Jay, you lad are beginning to learn the way. On more than one occasion, I've gone fishing without even wetting a line. You'll find yourself there sooner rather than later.

The sun has just set, the air is still. Upstream on the flats, hundreds of wee trout are surface feeding in the day's last light. Some sip, some swirl, some break the surface showing off. It's as though nature is putting on its own private show for you, and you alone. Savour those moments, for they will be what you remember far longer than any fish you ever reel in..........

You got it, TreeDude! Imagine all the cool stuff we'd miss if it was ALL about catching fish...

http://a.imageshack.us/img203/460/p8070531.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/p8070531.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img405/530/p8010521.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/p8010521.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img686/427/copyofp7190482.jpg (http://img686.imageshack.us/i/copyofp7190482.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img94/8471/copy2ofp7190467.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/copy2ofp7190467.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img822/3696/copy2ofp7190461.jpg (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/copy2ofp7190461.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img295/653/p6040203.jpg (http://img295.imageshack.us/i/p6040203.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img4/5747/p6040166.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/p6040166.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img30/564/p9120017.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/p9120017.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img25/4454/48331.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/48331.jpg/)

http://a.imageshack.us/img39/6365/p7030391.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/p7030391.jpg/)

Great thread, Jay!

[walking buffalo]

BobLoblaw,Great pics as always!

I have not seen a Leopard frog in ages. Damn I miss them, glad to see you saw one.

I know what you're saying Tree, I seem to get distracted with the other stuff around the water, my dry flies are really dry some days.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Jay, you lad are beginning to learn the way. On more than one occasion, I've gone fishing without even wetting a line. You'll find yourself there sooner rather than later. .

Or snagging a Bush with a fly rod :sHa_sarcasticlol::sHa_sarcasticlol::sHa_sarcastic lol: ah well even though you snagged a tree still casted further then I can .



Fishing is the best form of Therapy I know . Time flies by , and nothing matters . Catching fish is fun but over rated there's more to Fishing then just catching . I like watching others Catch fish , Like Jay and that Sturgeon , or when Wayne and myself Took Cathyflyfisher grand boy out , Or taking my grandpa to catch walleye by the armful , there are 100's of these examples . But those are memories Ill have forever and never forget .


Heres a few of my favorite pictures , on very memorble fishing trips .

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/ALBERTAOUTDOORSMEN%20JUNE%20MEET/16c29fbc.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/ALBERTAOUTDOORSMEN%20JUNE%20MEET/d3f0ceea.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/5302dac4.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/009.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/barry1stpike.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/IMG_2266.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/IMG_2403.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/JOHN_CONROY/420458e5.jpg

[Geezle]

Great pics Steve and John...thanks for sharing them :)

Of course now I've gotta post a few of my own fishing related pics. I need to get myself a new camera. The wife kinda hijacked mine so I'm stuck using the ol' camera phone. Ah well, something is better than nothing :lol:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/GeezleHerps/071210_164900.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/GeezleHerps/Phone%20pics/071810_180700.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/GeezleHerps/Phone%20pics/071810_174800.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/GeezleHerps/Phone%20pics/071810_174700.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/GeezleHerps/Phone%20pics/073110_180600.jpg

[Need More Fish'n time]

An old-timer once unrolled his window as he drove over to my chair while I was ice fishing. He aked if I had any luck... I didn't even have any bites but I was as happy as could be to enjoy the sun and relax on a warm winter's day. He said with a smile "Son, that's why they call it fishn' not catchn'."

[Easywean]

I hear ya. I love going brain dead casting out spoons in this spot in the picture attached on the RD River until it gets to dark to walk back to the truck. Of course I always catch a few barley sando's while I sit on the banks

[WayneChristie]

For me its a way to unwind, time to think, to reflect, to listen to the birds, watch the clouds roll by, and know just how lucky I am to not have to fight through traffic for hours a day, choke on exhaust, dodge crazy drivers, put my life on the line every day like our boys overseas, and who knows, maybe even catch a fish or two to put icing on the cake. Do I need to catch fish to make it worthwhile? Nope. Its fun, but not necessary. Sometimes I get to share this experience with friends, sometimes with family, sometimes its just me, but it is always great. Good thread Jay.

[ULTRAlite]

Therapy - that doesn't cost too much :)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/cory_r_t/Fly%20Fishing/ShuckedStonefly.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/cory_r_t/Fly%20Fishing/SmallWhiteFlower.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/cory_r_t/Fly%20Fishing/GreenCaddis.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/cory_r_t/Fly%20Fishing/Stumpy.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/cory_r_t/Fly%20Fishing/WoodLily.jpg