Fishing & Happiness

Why do people love fishing?

Ask any fishing enthusiast what aspect of fishing makes them smile and they're sure to reply 'when they've caught a great fish'.  The feeling of winning the challenge, applying their experience and skills, and then reeling in the reward induces a great feeling of happiness.

Fishing is as addictive as smiling is contagious.  We've captured some of our favourites in this series of Fishing for Smiles.

1. Pleasure derived from catching your fish:

Pleasure

2. Fishing stimulates endorphin release (happiness formula):

Happiness

3. Fulfilling your passion or gratifying the predatory urge:

Passion

4. Connecting with the natural environment:

Connecting - saltwater smile

5. Fish are impartial to human gender:

Achievement

6. Fish do not discriminate against age:

Pride

7. Love & respect your fish:

Appreciation

8. Present childhood opportunities - nurture the fishing smile:

Fun of Discovery

9.  Leisure - emotional benefit of releasing stresses "Happiness":

Leisure

10. Joy of discovering something you're good at:

Joy

Experiencing a positive situation like catching a fish sends neuronal signals from the brain cortex to the smiling muscles in the face and back again causing a feed-back loop & reinforcing the feeling of joy.

That's a good enough reason for giving fishing a go!

Caro Wags
Deep End Fishing Charters
Port Macquarie

Family Fishing - Healthy Lifestyles

Healthy lifestyle choices should begin at an early age.

Let the whole family enjoy an Outdoors Detox from work, education, TV, video games and other electronic devices and create a healthier lifestyle balance.

Numerous studies suggest that being 'outdoors' and connecting with nature are beneficial to mental and physical health, self-esteem, confidence and general well-being. Outdoors activities can provide those 'Remember when?' moments we treasure as we age and help youngsters shape views on life and the world around them.  Being outdoors helps kids develop an appreciation of nature and learn important skills that translate to their everyday lives.  These can also encourage personal development, aid judgement and decision making. So it's worth dragging the kids off the couch (& yourselves) and get away from the life of screen technologies to reinvigorate a passion for being in the great outdoors.

Remember when?

Grown-ups are aware of the pleasure many people derive from going fishing.  More young people could be encouraged or at least, given the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of this healthful recreational activity that is suitable for any age group, gender and ability.  Going fishing can offer light & medium exercise, increases upper body strength and hand-eye co-ordination and can be combined with walking short or long-distances and incorporate short or long bouts of relaxation.

In addition to the physical benefits and learning fishing skills, water safety and environmental awareness, fishing can also provide psychological and social benefits such as:

1. Developing a meaningful on-going outdoors pastime and new skills that can last a lifetime;
2. Engaging in an activity that encourages a sense of personal achievement, promoting confidence and self-esteem;
3. Providing healthy lifestyle choices for: 

• Activities that can be enjoyed with family - encouraging bonding & skill sharing between parents & siblings;
• Opportunities for time-out alone for contemplation, reflection, and relaxation;
• Alternative peer-group activities or community participation in challenges to gain prestige; and
• Promoting knowledge about wild produce and healthy diets.

Pride in catching a fish for supper

Fishing can be a relatively inexpensive means of entertainment once you have acquired the necessary equipment - maybe dust off those old fishing rods in the shed, borrow or hire some gear.  Talk to your local fishing tackle store about tackle deals, licenses, local fishing spots. and check your local fishing regulations and learn about local fish species.

Alternatively, go on a charter fishing boat where use of gear and licenses is included and take an off-shore fishing trip.  Consider an adventure based around catching fresh fish for a healthy family meal.  Charter operators will usually help you identify good eating fish and clean your fish ready to take home and cook.

We'll always remember this day!

In summary, fishing helps kids develop a sense of responsibility and respect for themselves, others, and the environment.  They learn about patience, decision making, action and reward in a real life situation (rather than fictional computer games) .  People who fish regularly instinctively become aware of the environment and most times, want to preserve it. Youngsters that learn to fish in addition to adopting a lifelong hobby, may become future guardians of our aquatic ecosystems &/or be inspired to pursue environmental-based careers.

What until I tell my friends about this!

Most kids take to fishing like 'ducks to water'.  I've experienced going out fishing with youngsters (7 years upwards) they come back to shore with their catches and the widest smiles.  They have enjoyed something worth boasting about to their peers and have added valuable memories to their lifetime  'Remember when?' moments.

Time to get off the couch!

Caro Wags
Deep End Fishing Charters
http://www.deependfishingcharters.com

Fishing for Leisure

“Everyone has the right to rest and leisure”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

What is leisure? It’s quality time away from one’s normal routine and responsibilities, and is commonly known as R & R (relaxation & recreation). There are distinct differences between relaxation and recreation; one perhaps suggests doing nothing – whilst the other is about doing something. Whichever you choose you can achieve varying levels of leisure satisfaction. Many people choose fishing as it can incorporate both these elements. Perhaps that's why we love it.

Achieving pleasure and satisfaction is the same outcome we experience with eating food, and is just as important in maintaining our health and wellbeing.  As with other mammals, we humans are wired for seeking pleasure & satisfaction. Like the salivating Pavlov’s dog, some of us do the same when we see a shiny new fishing reel.  We crave satisfaction. 
 

There are different levels of leisure that are defined by the recreational activity and how one goes about participating.

·        Project-based Leisure – is short-term recreational activity such as planning a ‘one-off’ fishing expedition that may have other beneficial outcomes besides catching of fish.  Project-based leisure may also include a planned family or group bonding session or having the goal to build a fishing rod or learn to tie fishing-flies.

·        Casual Leisure – describes an activity that achieves immediate pleasure but with short term intentions. Casual fishers are people who like to have a go at fishing occasionally seeking momentary satisfaction but do not have the intention of pursuing professionalism or a career.

·        Serious Leisure - for those who are serious about fully participating in an activity for which they have a passion.  They gain immediate satisfaction and want to sustain this and are keen to build or increase their knowledge, skills and resources.  Other special benefits may include fulfilling a cultural tradition or trend; creating or maintaining a personal and social identity; opening up career opportunities, and/or can also be about providing sustenance such as fish for consumption.

It is easy to neglect leisure as an important aspect of health and well-being in our fast paced contemporary societies.  We sometimes need to remind ourselves, and those around us, of the importance of real recreational leisure time and getting active.  That is not blobbing-out on the couch or sitting glued to our Facebook accounts.  Participating in recreational activities can offer numerous physical benefits from improving body functioning to reducing risks of the incidence of disease. Coupled with its emotional benefits such as inciting happiness and satisfaction; promoting self-esteem and confidence; and building knowledge and skills, recreational leisure certainly appears more valuable than it is sometimes given credit for.

"What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are."  George Eastman Innovator & Entrepreneur, Eastman Kodak

If you miss out on quality recreational leisure time you could be neglecting your health and well-being, and as the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Exercise your human rights to enjoy leisure time, dust off the fishing tackle, and head out for a fishing spree.  You’ll soon be reeling in the rewards.
 

Caro

Deep End Fishing Charters
Port Macquarie, New South Wales
http://www.deependfishingcharters.com

 

(i) Recreation  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreation

(ii) Leisure http://www.seriousleisure.net/concepts.html
(iii) Fishing http://www.deependfishingcharters.com

(iv) Universal Declaration of Human Rights,Article 24

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/universal-declaration-human-rights-human-rights-your-fingertips-human-rights-your-fingertips

(v) George Eastman Innovator & Entrepreneur, Eastman Kodak

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/leisure.html#kTQPOVCWsQZ44HAo.99