When I was young, I used to marvel at the perfect loops my uncle would cast. I would further marvel at the fact that I caught 10 times as many fish as he did, even though he knew much more about fishing, and his skills were much better.

I think that actually catching the fish became much less important than some zen like effect that he got from being in a nice place, and making a perfect cast.

At the time, I considered this to be a strange, but probably benign, form of insanity.

I am now in my mid-fifties, and have trouble tying on small flies due to the typical middle aged eyesight phenomenon, but am otherwise quite fit. So, I cannot blame what I am about to describe on fatigue.

I really no longer care if I catch anything.

There, I said it. Is this bad or good? Does it make a mockery of the sport, that the process rather than the result is why I go?

I have to say that standing in moving water, casting with my favorite rod, I find myself thinking about other things, and not making the intellectual effort to match the hatch, and do a proper job of reading the water.

Or, I am quite content to stalk a fish, and if I can make the cast to a tough spot and get him on for a second, but lose him, I feel no need to go back and actually catch him. The interesting part has already been done.

Of course, none of this slows down my lust for new equipment.

Have I reached a state of angling grace, or have I become a self delusional tackle tart ?

Thank you for your thoughts.

Although I am a bit younger than yourself I do understand where you are coming from. One of theain reasons I took up fly fishing is because it gives you the perfect excuse to just stand by a beautiful river or loch and just enjoy it. The catching can sometimes almost come secondary to the relaxation that I get from it. However I also love the stark contrast of absolute calm to frenzy when you get a great fish on. I find a lot of people put too much
emphasis on catching which causes frustration. I am sure I read on this forum that fly fishing is one of the few things In life that you can't do quickly. For me it's about the perfect cast, precision, shooting just that bit further, and taming home something good for dinner.

Hi Grant,

I'm in my early sixties; and experiencing some of the fly tying and knot making when changing flies difficulties that you speak of! But, I love fishing with a fly rod, casting is only of importance to present the imitation to the unsuspecting fish; and over the years I've become quite adequate at this art form! There is nothing like being out on the river or stream, the clean fresh air? and the solitude; yet, that feeling you get of being one with Mother Nature, the freedom to wander at leisure and take in the beautiful sights! Just being in that kind of environment, would make anyone feel good! But, I must say the excitement of catching a wild trout is still there in my soul; and to see a fish rise to the fly and the line tighten, really does get the adrenalin going! I love it!

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I see Mother Nature through the eyes of someone who loves her!!

Mostyn

Because I can

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

The day that fishing is not fun is the day that the rod gets hung up to dry so to speak.

The thrill of prospecting the thrill at attempted capture in all it's guises and the thrill of the take (if it comes) keeps me coming back. With the added attraction of all the wildlife and good company as and when it is a wonderful hobby for me.

And I haven’t even eluded to the fly tying, the photography and of course the forums being the icing on the cake.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Cos i am no good at golf

This could have been a description of me and my current view of fishing although I do get cross if I can't catch a fish through my own ineptitude.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Fishing to me now is the sum of it's totals. I guess I have went through all the transitions in my 50odd years.
1. to catch a fish
2. to catch lots of fish
3. to catch the biggest fish
4. to compete & win
Now I just chill out & go fishing in the traditional manner & enjoy it all the more.
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

I fish because to imagine life without it would be no life at all. My father introduced me to fly fishing over 30 years ago, it is now so much a part of my life it defines my personality to some extent.

I like the footwear.