Politics, economy got you down? Read this.

[Ralph]

I keep this above my tying bench:

I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful and I hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe one day I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun. (From Anatomy of a Fisherman by Robert Traver)

[GreggH]

Thank you.

[Troutstalker55B]

Good soul soup Ralph, thanks for that!

Jon.

[BobVP]

I've kept that same quote above my tying bench for 8 or 9 years now. It helps me remember to have fun.

[Terry Imai]

We all have heard the "worst day of fishing is still better than the best day at work" but C&R fishing is so refreshing because we don't need to take "score". I run into some people that are into numbers rather than choosing to pick a certain thing to attempt to perform and have fun with it on that day. It could be as simple as making fewer casts by improving your wading and the ability to pick your way through a pod of fish.

[Frank Alessio]

Some people can count and walk at the same time... Try it you might like it...

[mems]

I like that quote for trout, it rings true. I fish the salt most of the time, and I like the rush of a fast fish like a bone or an ahi. For me the environment is beautiful as well, but I like to fight strong fish ones that I think, I might not get this one in. That, to me that is the rush I look for. Mems.

[Lincoln Gray]

Hits Home! Thank You -

[jbird]

I like that quote for trout, it rings true. I fish the salt most of the time, and I like the rush of a fast fish like a bone or an ahi. For me the environment is beautiful as well, but I like to fight strong fish ones that I think, I might not get this one in. That, to me that is the rush I look for. Mems.

Don I hope you and I can meet some day.

[oldtrout]

Thanks Ralph, that's about my favorite. In fact, if I gain any more weight, I'll probably have that quote tattoed on my....

[fishsticker78]

Great quote. The only change I would make is, "I fish because I love to; because I can just barely tolerate the environs where trout are found...."
:fish:

I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful and I hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe one day I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun. (From Anatomy of a Fisherman by Robert Traver)[/QUOTE]