By Brian Smith – Fishidy Founder & Enthusiast
I never went pro with a rod and reel, as a matter of fact, I’m not too sure I can describe techniques by text, but I assure you that most of the best memories in my life involved a rod, reel and friends & family.
We’ve all had them, those days when nothing seems to go right. Weeks go by with frustration reaching its highest peak, and then you wake up one morning and hit the water. The smell in the air that hits you when you step out of your truck, the sounds (or lack thereof) that you hear and the beauty that is…the great outdoors.
You grab your vest or tackle box/bag and your rod, and head to that stream or lake you’ve been dreaming about. Suddenly, it’s gone (you think) — what was it that I was so worried about before? What’s all this frustration that weighed so heavily on me the last few days? It doesn’t matter at this point. You’re here, and you’re back.
My greatest stress relief is a tiny, trout stream. There’s just something about reading the way the water flows and locating that killer hole under the stump that looks as if it might fall off the bank at any time. Walking as low to the ground as possible, so your shadow doesn’t scare off the fish and finding that perfect position between two trees with just enough room for an underhand cast.
Once in position, tying on a size 10 hook, baiting it with a red worm, underhand toss above the hole and let it float down with the flow of the water. I could do that all day long, and not catch a thing, being completely content with the sounds of the water rushing down and heat of the sun on my neck. Sure, it’s awesome when I manage to hook a trout and it does happen more than not, but the fact is still clear that I’m out, away from my Blackberry and laptop and one with nature again.
I’ve often talked to people that don’t fish and wonder, have they ever fished? How could you go through life without that experience? I guess it’s something that you’re born with, something that never leaves. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I can guarantee you that it seems I was born to fish. My grandfathers, father, uncles and cousins all taught me lessons that will never be forgotten. Lessons that I seem to use every day, one way or another, but they were all done while fishing. All while we were together, out on the water.
