Pondering the big questions about fishing in a post-coronavirus world

A fishing buddy recently asked me a deep question: “What do you think anglers need right now?” My brain went in several directions at once.

My first reaction: When will our fishing spots reopen? Then I thought, “What If I’m wrong and it’s longer than I suspected? I don’t want to be disappointed!” The bonus question: How long could I/we keep this up without losing it?

It’s sort of like holding your breath. If you know how long you need to hold it, you can usually make it. But when you take away any certainty of when that next breath is coming, it’s much tougher to persevere.

Most of us hold out our fishing as a beacon of normalcy and sanity in our lives. Now, probably for the first time for most, it has all been shaken. We don’t want to admit it, but we’ve probably all considered our angling to be the one refuge that stood above the fray. I know it’s made me rethink my world.

Another question that’s surfaced: Can we trust that during this time there won’t be an attempt to leverage this situation to close or modify fisheries, regulations or seasons? I think many are afraid that once something is changed that it becomes impossible to undo. Over the last few years anglers have become increasingly concerned that they are being regulated and controlled by other interests with very little input. The current situation has compounded and intensified this feeling of helplessness, justified or not. This whole crisis creates an environment where vague concerns and suspicions rise to the top and become major issues.

What’s my conclusion?

The answer to my buddy’s question is one thing: HOPE!

Hope that we will be back out fishing again soon, hope that your special lake/stream will be there waiting for you, that you’ll get to feel that sense of freedom and joy that’s always been part of your life once again. Can you feel it?

I believe it’s all going to be OK. However, I don’t think any of us will ever take the gift of our sport for granted after this.

Take heart. Stay positive.

Never give up!

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Pondering the big questions about fishing in a post-coronavirus world."