Yesterday I decided to give myself a break from job-hunting and get out into the great outdoors. Actually, Mother Nature decided for me. It was such a beautiful day, she demanded that I get out and and enjoy her!
I live in the Smoky Mountains, so I went trout fishing. I had some trepidations. Even "normal" people often associate fishing with drinking, and I couldn't remember the last time I fished sober.
I had a blast. The only time I thought about booze was when two things occured to me: (a) My casting aim was better since I was sober. (b) River rocks are easier to negotiate when I am not intoxicated and not trying to carry a drink.
I didn't catch anything, but I didn't care. The fish and I played a game of teasing each other. I taunted them with my lures; they taunted me by chasing the lures but not biting them. It was fun.
The waterfalls were gorgeous, as were the multi-colored trees. It was sunny and lovely. I could appreciate everything clearly. It was wonderful!
Thanks for letting me share.
PS- I'm still misspelling words. Still sick, I reckon!
-- Edited by jasperkent on Friday 30th of October 2009 01:57:05 PM
I wonder why so many of us go fishing? I love it, don't go often enough and when I do I get distracted by the wildlife, the birds, the scenery - and I don't care if I don't catch (except for last year when I had 32 fishless trips on the bounce - broke my duck in a 3" deep stream in North Wales)
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Thanks for sharing that Jasper. Hearing these kinds of stories reaffirms my awareness that there really is so much outdoors to be looked at . And that only God can create that beauty.
Jasper, Thank you for the share. I hear an Attitude of Gratitude and that's great man. They say a grateful heart won't drink. I use to do everything with a drink in hand. It's amazing with a clear mind how much better we are at certain activities and can really enjoy the beauty of it all when sober. I use to go to Major League baseball & Hockey games and people would asked me the next day- how was the game? I'd say good but couldn't remember sh*t.
That's so cool, Jasper! Almost everything I do in this life is what I do when I can't fish. I TOTALLY get where you're coming from! I was scared to take my first sober fishing outing, too, but the fishing jonez was stronger than the fear! Nice job overcoming the trepidation! Now THAT'S an angler! I like trout fishing, too. Funny how they can be sooooo curious, and then not hit!
"The Gods do not deduct from a man's allotted time on Earth the hours he spends fishing." Ancient Babylonian proverb, or so I'm told.
Oh man, Jasper!! Too bad you're about 20 hours drive from here; I need a sober and serious fishing buddy . All my sober friends are softcore anglers and all my fishing friends are drunks.
You even get to see more when you're sober huh? Fishing and drinking at the same time...didn't do that too often use to use a spear alot and that requires more salt water in my toddy than I cared for.
You paint pictures better when your sober also...thanks for the one you showed here.
That's so cool, Jasper! Almost everything I do in this life is what I do when I can't fish.
