By DOROTHEA HELMSSpecial to The Sun
Consider the serene vista of open water, the rhythmic pulse of waves lapping against the side of a boat, the inhalation of fresh lake-tinged air, the tug of the line at the end of a rod -- and you'll begin to appreciate the question posed by 19th-century philosopher Henry David Thoreau: "Shall I go to heaven or a-fishing?"
For a growing number of individuals and families in Canada today, that sentiment sums up the feelings they have about the popular sport. Our country boasts some of the finest angling in the world for a wide variety of species.
Just what is it about fishing that has captivated the interest of people from the ages of two to 92? For one thing, accessibility. Folks of varying shapes, sizes and physical abilities can compete with the hardiest anglers, and children may do as well as, and sometimes better than, adults. Women have taken to angling en masse too, and as a result fishing has become a well-loved family sport.
YEAR-ROUND APPEAL
There's also its year-round appeal. When the boats are stowed away for the winter, the tempting vista morphs from watercraft on sun-drenched waves to icy, snow-covered surfaces dotted with fishing huts. Regardless of the season, fishing coaxes people outdoors and offers a fun opportunity to spend time together. Enjoying angling in a group results in relaxation, camaraderie and laughter. And when the actual fishing is over, the joy continues with the bragging, cooking and eating that accompany this sport.
Many anglers also look at the pastime as a form of escape. Fishing takes concentration; having to pay attention to a float or the placement of a fly means that everything else in life is shoved aside. The need for this kind of relaxation- inducing distraction is increasing. Businessmen and women are booking fly fishing vacations, for example, to help them cope with the tremendous stresses they face in their careers.
The variety of ways in which you can take up the sport also explains its widespread appeal. A tree branch and a string ending in a hooked worm is the most basic fishing pole you can use from a dock or the edge of a stream. Or maybe you want to go all out and outfit yourself with state-of-the-art gear from hip waders to fancy reels and sonar.
Putter along in a fishing boat, hire a charter to take you to the middle of Lake Ontario, fly into remote northern lakes or book an entire fishing vacation in an exotic locale. Enter derbies, take part in community fishing events -- the opportunities are endless. And remember, you don't have to have your own equipment. There are ice fishing companies, for example, that supply the hut, stove and gear, and all you have to do is catch the fish!
Keep in mind that when you fish, you contribute to the economic, as well as entertainment, value of Canada's recreational fishery. This year's National Fishing Week is July 3 to 11. Throughout the year, be sure to check with the MNR for the opening and closing dates of fishing season, which vary depending on the species and area.
Need more convincing? Those who are passionate about this pastime report other benefits, including the advancement of philosophy.
As a fishing-fanatic friend of mine says, "There's no emotion involved in walking into a grocery store and buying fish. When people have their rods in the water, they have a personal investment, and they tend to discuss deep, thought-provoking topics."
Thoreau would be so proud.
-- Dorothea Helms connects people and ideas and can be reached at writer@wsws.ca.
