Fishing is one of the great American pastimes as a poll has revealed that as many as 33 million people aged 16 or older participate in the activity. Recreational fishing ranks even higher than playing basketball, soccer, softball or bowling, and more Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. Apart from the satisfaction of catching your own fish, fly fishing has many health benefits, and it also has been shown to improve one’s quality of life. If you’ve never tried fly fishing before, you may want to try it out sometime to see how it can impact your entire well-being.
Trends in fly fishing
Fishing has become extremely popular in the country. Previously, the activity was associated with senior men, but a study has found that a high percentage of young female participants are taking up the sport. In the research, it was found that 43.9% of youth who are interested in fishing are female. Moreover, fly fishing has the highest rate of new participants among all the fishing categories as almost 13% of participants were new to fly fishing in 2014. It is expected that there will be more fly fishing enthusiasts in the future as fishing can positively impact one’s health in various ways.
Here are five reasons why fly fishing is good for you.
It relieves stress
A study has shown that many Americans take up fly fishing as a way to relieve stress. In the research, 38% of people who take up the pastime said they think that the soothing sound of flowing water and the pull of a fishing line is enough to drive their stress away. Being constantly stressed can lead to a host of health problems including obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
It keeps you physically fit
Fly fishing may not get your heart rate up in the same way that running or cycling does, but the activity does require a bit of paddling if you’re in a boat, and wading can be quite the workout too, which is all good for your cardiovascular health. Reeling and casting also give your shoulders a workout, and the best part about fly fishing is it can be done from a stationary position so those with mobility problems can take up the sport. Moreover, being outdoors gives you plenty of Vitamin D, which makes your bones strong.
It can help those who are suffering from PTSD
A study involving veterans who were diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) showed that after three days of fishing, participants reported a 43% decrease in feelings of hostility and a 30% drop of feelings of fear. These positive effects lingered a month after the fishing retreat, proving that the activity can have a good effect on those who experienced or witnessed a life threatening event.
It’s a great way to spend time with your loved ones
Fly fishing is a great way to bond with family members as it lets you talk and be with each other in a peaceful environment. Even your pets can be a part of this activity as many fly fishers have been known to fish with their dogs. Though fly fishing alone can be a relaxing activity, participating in the sport with friends, loved ones, and pets can help you become more social.
It elevates your mood
Doing any physical activity out in nature is a great way to boost one’s mood, and fly fishing can be an invigorating activity for those who are feeling lonely or depressed. Being out in the water and enjoying the sun and fresh air can have a positive impact on one’s mood, and being at one with nature gives you the chance to have some peace and quiet.
If you want to give fly fishing a try, get a starter outfit that includes a rod, reel, line, and flies. Remember to bring a bottle or blatter of drinking water to stay hydrated and use a lotion with SPF to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Go fly fishing whenever you can to enjoy the full health benefits of this activity and discover how fishing can be good for you.
Written by Jackie Edwards
I’m Jackie, a freelance editor, and writer. When my husband and I became parents we made a decision to not spend any family holidays we had simply lounging on beaches! We wanted our children to have lots of different things to do, whether that was sightseeing so they could learn about other cultures or take part in activity holidays to broaden their life experiences.
My husband is actually a keen angler and has wanted to try a fishing holiday with the kids for some time. Last year, we were able to finally go for it and afterward, I worked on some content which is geared towards helping parents and carers plan their own first fishing trip with children. If you’d like to, you can read it here.
