“That’s why it’s called hunting, not shooting.” If you’ve hunted, you’ve likely heard that phrase, a typical explanation for why a hunter didn’t see or harvest an animal in the field. Now here’s another one: “That’s why it’s called fishing, not catching.” Does that hit home? It lightheartedly addresses the feeling of coming home emptyhanded, and acknowledges that the thrill of the chase is often the most satisfying part of hunting or fishing. But tournament angler Brent Chapman tells Bassmaster that he enjoys days of just catching fish. How does he do it?
“Sometimes it’s nice to just go ‘catching.’ Finding a small lake or pond that has a lot of fish will allow you to worry less about finding fish and you can concentrate more on just catching them. For me, a good day of catching fish can go a long way to rejuvenating me for the rest of the year. A small lake with a lot of fish is a good place to start, if you can find one. A good day catching can allow you to work on some new tackle and have a lot of fun with a good friend.”
Photos: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (top); Brent Chapman, courtesy of Bassmaster (above)