My wife and I love camping and try to get out at least five or six times a year. We still tent camp- back country, private and public camping areas. We decided to go for a long weekend recently and found a nice campround we hadn’t been to before. The Michichi Recreation Area and Reservoir, about 20 minutes Northeast of Drumheller, Alberta, Canada and home of the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum.
The resevoir, we learned, is stocked with 14,000 rainbow trout every spring. This was quite exciting to me. I really enjoy fishing and don’t get the opportunity to go often. I also love catching fish, but this doesn’t happen to often either. This time though, I figured I might have better luck in a stocked lake. It might just boost my ego some. Before leaving, I made sure my fishing license was up to date and my tackle box had all the tools needed to get the job done. It did alright, it seems I rarely leave a Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop without a new fishing lure, spinner or some other outdoor gadget in my shopping cart.
Fishing: Good For the Mind, Body and Soul
When you’re out fishing, surrounded by the beauty of nature, it’s like hitting a mental reset button. The air feels fresher, the colors more vivid and there’s an undeniable sense of peace that seeps into your very bones. Whether you are fishing on your own or bonding with friends or family, nature has a way of sparking a sense of calm and revitalization.
THE MIND: It’s not just about fishing, it’s about tossing all the stressors and negativity out with each cast of your line. For those readers who have fished and enjoy it, you most likely understand when I say there’s something deeply meditative about the sport. It’s like unplugging the routine and chaos of everyday life. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a whole mindset shift. Each cast offers a chance to breathe and let your thoughts settle. With your phone tucked away and the world on pause, fishing becomes a great way to focus on the here and now. I can almost feel my cortisol levels dropping with each cast. If you think about it, fishing doesn’t only relieve stress it also exercises the mind.
For those who find it hard to meditate by just sitting still, fishing is a sneaky way to get similar benefits through action and patience. For me, fishing heightens my senses. The sounds of nature and the lapping of the water – watching the direction of the current and the fine movement of the bobber or float- the feel of the line when a fish starts to nibble putting your body into an excited state of alertness.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, think of fishing as your get-away—your own personal stress-free zone to retreat and recharge the life batteries. Whether it’s alone or with a friend, fishing invites you to slow down and see things from a whole new angle.
THE BODY: Although fishing looks tame, it is much more active than it appears. Many anglers will spend hours walking along riverbanks or lake shores looking for just the right spot. Other anglers spend time paddling canoes, rowing boats or wading through water to find the perfect fishing hole. Walking any distance to the water, casting a line, reeling it in or even balancing on a boat can provide a low-impact aerobic exercise.
If you are lucky enough to catch a fish, you will feel muscles engage in your shoulders, core, legs and arms as you reel that catch in for dinner. From setting up your gear to landing the big one it all takes coordination, balance and strength. All which promote cardiovascular health, improve muscle tone, and increase endurance.
For those people with limited mobility or chronic pain, fishing offers a gentler alternative to more strenuous exercise, allowing them to stay active without overerexertion.
THE SOUL: The reflections we often see on lakes, rivers, ponds and even reservoirs have a way of calming the mind. It’s like time slows down, offering a special space for contemplation and inner peace. This whole experience can do wonders if anxiety feels like it’s running the show.
Fishing provides a deep personal sense of satisfaction, lifts a person’s spirit and offers a profound sense of well-being and fulfillment. Just one of those activities that is, in my humble opinion, the definition of being, ‘good for the soul!’
So there you have it—fishing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a solid way to unwind and maintain your mental well-being. Whether you’re knee-deep in a stream or lounging on a boat, fishing’s promise of tranquility and stress relief is where the magic truly happens.
In the spirit of transparency, I did not catch a fish that weekend, but it didn’t discourage me either. The time spent surrounded by nature, near the water with a fishing pole in the company of my wife, was time well spent. We will definitely return to this spot.
Nice to read about your visit to The Michichi Recreation Area and Reservoir in Canada. Also, that you ” tent camp” and still enjoy doing that. I agree with your take on how nice it is to go fishing. I love to fish and be on the water. There is truly nothing like being in nature in a lovely place and enjoying the silence, the beauty of nature and if you are lucky, bringing in a “keeper” fish. As you state, this is a good way to feel and relax. Thanks for this blog post. – Shirley
I really like this post and agree with 100%. Fishing is wonderful for any age but especially after age 55. It is good to and sit and whether you catch any fish or not you still have a great day because of the meditation you can have. Being outside and in nature allows you to reflect on the positive things in life and talk with God. It is good mental relaxation. It also allows you and your spouse to become closer if you are both into fishing.