There’s truly something cathartic about the repetitive motion of casting a fly. The trickle of the water over rocks has healing powers of its own, and catching the occasional trout lends a feeling of accomplishment that further enhances the catharsis.
That’s all just a fancy way of saying if you’re sick of being cooped up in the house, trying to avoid areas where too many people are gathered, or worrying about work, bills, sickness, or anything else, you need to go fishing.
Some of the restrictions have been lifted, and we’re taking the first steps to get back to normalcy. It’ll still be a while before things get back to the way they were before all this happened, and I think we’ll need to get out there on the water at every opportunity in order to keep ourselves sane.
If you’re working, you might have to settle for short trips to places nearby. If you’re not working, staying close to home might be necessary as well, simply to save some money on fuel. But the benefit of a few hours spent fishing will be well worth the investement. And it’s a whole lot cheaper than a therapist.
Gather up a few boxes of flies, redress your line, and tie on a new tippet. Find some new places to go, if you haven’t explored those nearby areas yet. Or visit some of your old favorite holes.
It doesn’t really matter if you catch any fish or not, but it’s certainly better if you do. The important thing is to just get out there and get that arm moving between 10 and 2.
Practice your social distancing and heal your soul at the same time.
