My story might take a different path than others. Like many fisherman I was introduced to the sport at a young age by my father. We fished for crappies, bluegill, walleyes, catfish, SM & LM bass, northern Pike but trout fishing (fly fishing) was the main event. I was 3 sport athlete in HS (football, basketball, and track), participated in college track for awhile. I was always very competitive and, without realizing it at the time, I made the natural transition to allowing fishing and hunting to fill that competitive void.
After entering the workforce, my love of the outdoors consumed my free time. I enjoyed the outdoors so much I was driven to better at it. I wanted to unlock every secret (which is an unrealistic goal but it fueled my fire). I was at peace when I was hunting or fishing. I wanted to get to that next hole or that next ridge. I travelled all around the US. I ended up hunting in 27 states and fished in 12 states. It was a wonderful journey.
I’m retired now (in the last quartile of my life) and I can be in the outdoors any day I want. It a great place to be. My wife is very worldly but her sweet spot is filled by solitary activities like reading, knitting and baking. We are the perfect pair. If I didn’t have a compatible wife I can envision a much different path for me.
