Fishing Is Just a Series of Life Lessons

Fishing is a hobby, and fishing is a profession. Fishing is also one of the greatest teachers a person will ever know. Life lessons abound in the angler’s world, and we thought it would be fun to share a few that we have learned over our combined decades of fishing experience.

There’s a Time for Everything

Good things happen when we fish when the fishing is fine, and the same holds true for life. Waiting until the time is right can save us from a lot of anguish and heartache, and the wait time gives us extra minutes, hours, days, or years to prepare for what’s ahead.

Patience Has Rewards

A virtue in every facet of life, patience is a lesson many anglers learn as children hunched over their first tackle set. Why aren’t the fish biting? Why won’t they just take the bait? Who knows, but there’s no use telling fish to hurry up. A lot of life is like that, actually. You can get as frustrated as you like, but that doesn’t change a thing. Might as well be patient.

The Ripple Effect Is Real

The tiny ripple made by a perfectly cast fly spreads into something larger and brings fish a plenty, just like small actions can have big consequences. A tiny act of compassion or kindness can start a chain reaction of good deeds and good feelings.

Don’t Tell Tales Too Tall

Ever let the Big One get away? Sure, we all have. For most of us, the Big One was a little larger than average, not the length of a school bus or the size of a planet. A little exaggeration is fun, but a lot can lead to hurt feelings. Telling too many fish stories on the water or in life will lead to people doubting your sincerity, and that’s not cool.

Sometimes You Have to Let Go

There’s nothing quite like reeling in what you think is a perfect keeper only to find out that it’s an inch below regulation size. You toss it back… and then? You could get angry or sulk, but what’s the point? Yes, sometimes letting the real fish go is easier than letting the metaphorical fish go, but in both cases, it’s the right thing to do.

What life lessons has fishing taught you?