For me it�s like therapy. On the water is the only time I can relax, clear my mind, and realize the things that really matter. I also smile like a kid every time the Lord lets me see the sun coming up as I�m running down the lake.

This.......




and this!

I believe that God created fish/fishing just for me. all those years ago when he created the earth and waters and fish He sat back and said with a smile ole Roy is sure going to love this. That is the same belief I share with each person who posted on this thread. I believe each individual here believes this to be true for themselves as well. Whether its the smell of 2-stroke smoke as the sky shows the first shades of pink, or the phone call to your partner 5 days before the tourney talking strategy while your kitchen table or garage looks to be in close competition with Tackle Warehouse. Or maybe its the feeling of the surge as the hot foot is pressed to the floor and the bow of ones aquatic chariot rises like the phoenix out of the flames only to level of at the command of the driver of the vessel. or looking in the mirror no longer admiring muscles or a physique that has faded with our hair lines but to admire the white stripes on the side of our heads that received no sun due to the wearing of sunglasses while we fished the whole day. All in all its the passion and appreciation we have for something far greater than the pursuit of black bass...... just my 2 cents.

Mighty fine tickers Brian!

For me I believe it has to do with taking time for myself and enjoying the moment as time tends to slow down early in the morning when most people are still asleep. I have not fished the last couple of years as my daughter has been showing cattle. I find the same feeling when you go to the barn to feed and muck stalls at 5 in the morning, seven days a week though. It all has to do with watching the sun come up with things that bring you a little closer to earth. Escaping from the rat race of life as most of us do. My daughter has one year left in showing cattle before she graduates, the time spent with her is irreplaceable. I will find my way back on the water when that time comes to watch the sunrise, but I hope the next year is the longest year ever.

I guess the best way to sum it up would be; If you are around to see the sunrise, then you've been givin' the chance to make another day.

This is what makes me tick....

I was introduced to bass fishing 55 years ago, at age 11, by my best friend. We road our bikes for several miles to get to a couple of private lakes. I loved it then and still do. I still thank my friend, who I lost several years ago, for the gift of fishing. Sometimes I wonder if the anticipation of the trip isn't the best part.

I grew up in Texas hunting and fishing with my dad and his best friend, the local game warden, back in the 60s. Everything exciting started before first light and ended after dark. The end of year deer hunts near Sonora, visiting the caverns there, campfires with the men telling their hunting and fishing stories, for a kid I couldn't imagine it getting any better. Setting out goose decoys in the dark, late evening dove hunts, and fishing, lots of fishing. As a 10 year old I fished Lake la Ronge in northernmost Saskatchewan where the sun didn't go down until 10 pm. The same lake I'd read about in the advertisement section of Outdoor Life. Watching the northern lights, new fish caught, new scenery, same excitement. At 12 we were fishing an extinct volcano lake near Managua Nicaragua, seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time, fishing for shark and trying to harpoon sawfish from a 16 foot aluminum boat, and hunting giant iguanas in the jungle treetops. It never got out of my blood. There was always something new, something exciting, something that I wanted to experience no matter where I have lived. The outdoors is how I charge and often overcharge my batteries. The weather, winds, temps, cloud cover, water color, the fish, scenery, its never exactly the same and everyday is new to me. The only constant is its beauty.

Iconn4
Good stuff
I really like the Zane Grey quote.

Watching someone I take fishing catch the fish of their life. I get as much of a thrill outta that as I do catching the fish myself (well almost)

Totally agree. One of the best times I can remember was watching my wife catch a 15 lb Bow fin at Fork on a frog on our honey moon. She wanted to fish for Bow fin for the rest of the week LOL.

And that was written before the internet.

trying to stay healthy so I can continue to stand on the front of my bass boat and chase those green fishies.

believe me when you reach 70 it gets a lot harder to spend 8 hours in a tournament constantly casting................

followed by a night spent with Advil PM

Nothing like the smell of 2-stroke in the morning.

I'm glad someone mentioned the smell of a 2-stroke. My son breathes deeply everytime I start up the outboard and just smiles. I think to myself, I know just how you feel. It's amazing how a smell or a sound can bring back a flood of memories because everytime I smelled outboard exhaust when I was a kid, it meant I was on the boat with my dad. Then later, it meant I was on my boat with my wife. Then later, it meant I was on the boat with my kids. Then even later, it meant I was fishing a tournament with my son. Then later....well, I think you know what I mean. Great thread. I need to go get a drink of water to wash this lump out of my throat.