Here in the United States, fishing is a very popular sport indeed. It is, after all, a past time that can be as useful as it is enjoyable. And it’s something that has been around for a good deal of time now as well, attracting a whole host of different kinds of people, from those who do it purely for pleasure to those who make something of a living off of it as well.
The sheer numbers surrounding fishing show off just how truly popular it is. For one thing, it has been found that well over nine billion pounds of fish will be caught in the United States over the course of just one single year (this number represented the year of 2016). And in addition to this, more than one fifth of all young adults (those who fell between the ages of 28 and 29) have been fishing within the scope of the last year. In total, well over 50 million people go fishing over the span of a single year, according to data gathered in the year of 2017. Most people who fish tend to be young, however, with those who fall under the age of 45 actually making up more than half (around 60%, to be just a bit more specific) of the entire fishing population, at least here in the United States.
Fishing is actually something that many children enjoy. The numbers that support this claim are even quite clear, showing that more than 11 million people who are under the age of 17 (but at or over the age of 6) have gone fishing at least somewhat recently. For a great many children, having the opportunity to go fishing with one or both parents, or with another trusted and admired adult, is a hugely big deal, not one that should be underestimated in its overall importance. Ultimately, going fishing can be as much about bonding as it is about actually catching the fish in question.
Going fishing, actually, can provide people with a whole host of different benefits. For one thing, going fishing can actually prove quite instrumental for relieving overall stress, something that many people could benefit from quite a great deal indeed. After all, the daily course of life is all too often stressful for people living all throughout the United States, as most of us have a whole slew of different responsibilities that we must be juggling at just about all times. Fishing can also be a great way to just appreciate nature in all of her beauty and stillness. Much of fishing is spent waiting and this is something that can help to build patience (especially in children) and appreciation for the surroundings. Going fishing on a quiet day is a form of meditation that many adults subscribe to.
And the outcome of fishing can be great as well. While you might not always catch a fish when you go fishing, knowing what to do with your fish once you’ve caught it is certainly very important indeed. And while some people participate in a catch and release program, so to speak, many will keep their fish to take home and cook. Catching a fish for the pleasure of eating it later is something that many people enjoy and is a great lesson to teach kids – working for something that they want.
But no matter why you fish, having the right tools and supplies will be quite hugely important indeed. Fly rods, for instance, will be critical for those who participate in fly fishing. Fly rods are specifically designed to be used in fly fishing and fly rods will work much better for these purposes than your typical fishing rods. Fly rods are specially made and while these fly rods might be a bit more expensive, investing in fly rods if you enjoy fly fishing is a must, especially if you’ll be using these fly rods on a regular basis. In addition to fly rods, fly rod reels are also important. Using a fly rod reel can revamp even older fly rods and make them something quite special indeed. You might even decide to invest in a fly fishing outfit, though this is not required.