Thinking Like a Fish

I got asked the question “What are you thinking about when you’re fishing?” I didn't have an immediate answer to the question and had to really think about thinking. The easy answer was “Nothing, I’m just enjoying myself and letting the worries of the world slip away for a few hours and not thinking about anything.” But that’s the easy answer. The more I thought about it the more I realized that I’m thinking the entire time. The answer is pretty comical as the true answer is “I’m trying to think like a fish!” I internalize the inner workings of their brains and try to get myself on the same level. I select a bait to use and say to myself “Ooh, this bait looks delicious, if I were a fish I’d definitely eat this” or I cast out away from the boat and convince myself that “oh yeah, that cast is definitely putting your bait where the fish are.”

It seems silly but it is really therapeutic. Taking a simple activity and allowing yourself the time and space to get out of your own head and focus on something as silly as what a scaly ocean creature is thinking. It’s a different experience for every fisherman and I am grateful to live in a place that allows me to have these “deep” mind activities on a regular basis. I crave the adventure and opportunity to tune out the world, hook on a bait and ponder what the ocean wants on the menu for the day. Some days the fish and I connect on a higher level and I can figure out the puzzle and others the fish and I have a mental block. Regardless, I’m going to keep on thinking like a fish and hopefully keep on trying to figure out the riddle of the sea.

Keep on thinkin!