Two things come to mind about how fishing has an even MORE powerful and positive effect on our lives in these uncharted societal waters we're facing that we sometimes overlook. Things that can greatly reduce the stresses that we now face and will continue to face in the months ahead.

First and most immediately, many of us can get out of the house and be outdoors with complete "social distancing." I do it every time I hook up the trailer, drive to the boat ramp, launch by myself and proceed to fish for the next 4-5 hours in total solitude. And what better way to remove, for at least a short time, the mental anguish we might be going through. When we're concentrating on what that tungsten is bouncing over, visualizing how that bait is moving, seeing in our mind's eye how the bass is considering striking or not... when we're doing all of that, hopefully the last things on our mind is COVID-19 and it's effects on our lives.

The late fishing guide and author Jim Repine wrote an excellent self-published book in 1983 entitled "Jim Repine's Alaskan Fishing Adventures." In it, Jim says that for the non-professional, we consider fishing to be recreation. That word means to "recreate" something, so what is it exactly that we're trying to recreate?

Jim said that we're trying to re-experience those days and moments in our childhood in which we were totally, completely absorbed by what we were doing RIGHT THEN. In the moment 100%. All the Alpha waves in our juvenile brains focused on that one, and only, thing NOW. Before marriage, children, jobs, careers, and so many other things that filled up the emptiness in our juvenile brains. THAT'S the adrenaline rush we all spend all that money and time in search of. Listen: If a bank president is holding a medium weight spinning rod and suddenly finds himself with a 15lb bass on the line, the LAST thing he's thinking of, at least for that very few minutes, are the troubles that's happening down at the office. It's heavy dope.

Just something to think about in these troubled times. For me anyway, a little light coming through the darkness.

it's funny because that's my favorite way to "social distance" is to get out on the local lake, bay or in the gulf away from stress and away from other people. I had numerous people online (from places like California and Oregon) chastising me, saying that they believe I'm somehow putting others at risk and that martial law is the only answer...these same people forget about basic constitutional rights that are being trampled on because of fear....I say tight lines!

Amen.

I used to live in Louisiana; grew up there around the Monroe/West Monroe area. The Ouachita River was my unwind to get my head back together after a stressful week. Sometimes I'd hit the river and go fish all day and sometimes I'd go by the gas station and fill my rig up and make a run nearly into Arkansas and never wet a hook. You'd rarely if ever see another boat or person, nothing but wilderness. I'd be totally unwound by the time I got back, I miss that.......

Friends drove down here to the coast Friday to get some "distance" from everything, by fishing. I told them the only Corona they could bring down had to be in aluminum cans! The weather here sucked for fishing! .........................IslandJim

Just saw a classifed ad on the 'Net: "Fisherman with coronavirus seeks woman back-seater with Lyme Disease."

That just ain't right...

I was told by a very reliable source that the JP in Rockwall County said you can fish, just keep your distance.