There is no need to convince the thousands of
Virginians and avid outdoors men and women, who get excited by reeling
in a 30-pound striper or seeing a beautiful brook trout rise to a fly,
why they need to start making plans to head outside. But if for some
reason, you need a little
convincing, we have compiled a list of 10
good examples that might just offer you an excuse to call in sick to
work or leave those "honey do's" for another weekend so you too can
spend a day fishing.
- Contribute to Conservation: Anglers put their
money where their mouth is and are passionate about the environment. By
purchasing fishing licenses and paying special taxes that they
themselves have agreed upon anglers have helped to fund many of the
wildlife and conservation programs that exist in the United States and
here in Virginia. They also contribute to non-game and education
programs, and to the purchase of thousands of acres of public lands,
where everyone is welcome to recreate year round. Anglers are also
acutely aware of the importance of clean water and air and pride
themselves on protecting and preserving our environment, natural
communities, and valuable habitat.
- Stress Relief: Ask most anglers why they enjoy
spending time in the outdoors and you're likely to hear the word
"freedom." Spending a day afield casting for trout on a cool mountain
stream or bobber fishing for bluegills on a pond helps to release us
from our highly stressful, everyday environment. Nothing brings on the
sense of being alive and helps to rebuild our personal reserves like a
day spent interacting with nature.
- Social Bonding: Sharing a fishing experience
helps strengthen relationships with family and friends. It also offers a
person the chance to give back to society through mentoring others in
the pleasure and importance of being good stewards of our natural
resources.
- Supports Wildlife and Fisheries Management:
Angling is an important wildlife management tool. For more than 100
years anglers have helped to contribute to wildlife and fisheries
management efforts by helping to set seasons and creel limits. Wildlife
populations of most fish species remain stable and in some cases
flourish, a far cry from a decade ago when many species suffered from
over harvest and the ill effects of pollution. Anglers also have a
vested interest in and support many efforts to preserve and protect all
species and the environment-all the while helping to increase
biodiversity.
- Health Benefits: More than fifty percent of
Americans are overweight. Being outside and being active helps to make
you feel better and encourages a healthier way of life. Driving to your
local grocery store and fast food restaurant might be convenient, but
fishing can also help you burn those unwanted calories, increase the
quality of your lifestyle, and add years to your life.
- Recreation: Having a bad day of fishing still
beats a day in the office or tending to house chores. The most common
reason you will find with people who like to fish is that it is simply
fun, whether you enjoy trolling for stripers or outwitting a weary brook
trout with a hand-tied fly that imitates an insect the size of a pin
head.
- Self Fulfillment: Fishing offers you the chance
to improve your self-esteem through respect for the environment,
mastering outdoor skills and achieving personal goals. Fishing can also
play an important role in ones personal and social development.
Fishing is a lifetime skill and activity that can be enjoyed at any age.
Just ask a youngster who reeled in their first fish how much fun
fishing can be.
- Boost to the Economy: Virginia's anglers
generate millions in state and local taxes and directly support
thousands jobs, that gives an economic boost that any state government
would be pleased with.
- Fishing for Food: Wild fish are low in fat and
cholesterol and high in protein. In fact, the American Heart Association
recommends a regular diet of fish. Besides it's a lot more challenging
to catch that plate of fresh fish than to stroll endlessly down a
supermarket aisle if you decide to keep your catch.
- The Thrill: Fishing has a way of fulfilling an
age-old need of pursuing and catching. The thrill lies in the challenge,
such as stalking an elusive wild trout or matching the hatch. But
there are many who will be quick to profess that it's not the catching
of fish that's important, but the immeasurable life lessons that you
will experience along the way.