Today’s news is often dreary and sad. Murders, drugs busts; conflicts abroad; you name it it’s all there on the six o’clock news. It’s enough to send us all scurrying behind barred windows and locked doors. The kicker, though, is a growing level of anxiety the general public feels about our own well-being.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists are seeing their business boom during the
times in which we live. While these folks can often help, I have another idea I learned by watching an old man one day. Just for the sake of doing it, go fishing.
Once when my family and I were on vacation on a lake in Arkansas, we rented a cabin by a lake. Rising early one morning while the family slept, I poured a cup of coffee and stepped out of the cabin to sit on the dock and enjoy the peace of the morning.
Spying an old white-haired gentleman fishing from the dock, I moved closer. As I
approached, he snapped the rod upward and momentarily, a bluegill was flouncing on the dock. He admired the fish a few seconds, unhooked it and gently slid it back into the water.
He picked up a slice of bread, pinched off piece, molded it around his hook and continued his fishing. What the old fellow was engaged in was a healthy form of therapy. He was fishing for the sheer enjoyment of the sport.
Observing this, I was reminded of a scripture passage in John 21:3 that begins, ”Simon
Peter saith unto them, I go a-fishing”. Wycliff’s Bible Commentary offers regarding Peter’s announcement, “The sight of his boat and the waters of his beloved Galilee, and perhaps the necessity of keeping body and soul together, dictated his sudden announcement.”
The statement – “keeping body and soul together” smacks of therapy to me. Granted, we need more activities that serve to keep our inner selves intact during these times.
While there are more ways than fishing to soothe jangled nerves and provide salve for
anxiety, fishing has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways of relieving stress.
Studies have shown that one of the most effective deterrents to stress and stress-related illnesses is fishing. In an article I once read, the writer stated that it is necessary to find a safety valve enabling us from time to time to lay aside the pressures of our hemmed-in lives.
“My answer is”, wrote the author, “go fishing.”
There is a scientific reason why fishing relieves stress, he continued. He wrote of his
study of the psychology of daydreams and fantasies and the ways in which one’s imagination can be put to practical use. He noted how often people who are learning to relax mentally picture scenes of nature and peaceful lakeside or oceanside settings. The calming effects of being near water were evident again and again in his clinical and experimental studies.
Scientists have fitted subjects with electro-physiological instruments to measure changes in muscle tension on the forehead. They have learned that when subjects imagine situations involving pressure or fear, the frontalis muscles tighten. As soon as they shift to imagining scenes on a quiet lake as the warm sun emerges from the clouds, the needle on the dial drops sharply as tension is reduced.
I never finished that cup of coffee. It grew cold on the dock as I hurried back to the cabin, fetched my fishing rod and slice of bread and pulled up a chair next to the old guy.
For the next hour, I got me some real good therapy.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Some nice sized bass are being caught as they are beginning to move from deeper water to staging areas. Soft plastics and jigs are picking up some good fish. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs and they are starting to move to the mouth of the creeks setting up for the spawn as soon as water temperatures start to warm. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – The water is rising and a few crappie are showing up around the trees on shiners and jigs. Bass have been fair on spinners and swim baits. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing is improving with some nice fish caught on spinners and jigs. Crappie are beginning to move to the flats and are fair on jigs and shiners. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Water is rising and muddy with too much current. Fishing is slow. A few catfish are being caught. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –The water is beginning to settle down some and the crappie are starting to move to staging areas in the mouth of the creeks. Jigs and shiners are picking up some nice fish. Bass are fair with best catches made deep on soft plastic as they too are starting to set up in staging areas preparing to move in to spawn. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – The lake has been down but is rising. Some crappie are still deep with best fishing just out from the dam on shiners or jigs but they’re starting to move to the mouth of creeks preparing to move in to spawn before long. Bass are fair with secondary points producing some fish with soft plastics and jigs picking up some. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing has improved in deeper water around the trees on shiners and jigs. Catfishing is fair to good. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – After being so low for weeks, the river is rising pretty fast. A good many buffalo and catfish are being taken in nets this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.