More Than The Limit

It’s hard to not get caught up in the idealized version of fishing that is readily seen on social media today. Tons of fishermen and women are posting pictures to Instagram and videos to YouTube making it seem that all they do is catch trophy fish in abundant numbers. And from my perspective, I grew up listening to my fishing mentors talking about always chasing a “limit”, as the sign of a successful and worthwhile fishing trip. I’m not here to argue either of those viewpoints are wrong. Fishing is an individual endeavor. But it just hasn’t been my experience with the sport. 

I can’t put a date or time on when exactly I realized this. But to me, fishing really hasn’t ever been about the result. Sure, I may have swayed to either end of the spectrum explained in the opening. But I always came back to fishing as an experience to share, or well-needed solitude.  

Most of my favorite fishing memories are stories about the day, not a particular fish, or a full freezer. I’ll never forget dodging a rainstorm out on Lake Michigan and my grandpa using a garbage bag from the boat launch pavilion as a poncho. Or the first full-day bass fishing trip to Northern WI my friend and I planned over months. And I especially won’t forget the week off the grid in Canada, far beyond cell service, good company and good times aplenty. All of these were certainly fishing trips, I have the pictures to prove it. But I don’t really remember stressing about not catching a trophy

fish or filling a limit. Because that wasn't the point anyways. Time spent on the water with family and friends has been part of my life as long as I can remember and has been constant through every major stage of my life. 

Fishing with Dad

So maybe some of you have the same viewpoint? I’d love to hear your favorite

fishing memory in the comments down below!  

-Aaron 

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