I admit it. Just about everyone likes to catch the biggest or the most. Including me. But when that is the only thing that makes fishing enjoyable for us, we run the risk of losing everything else that is great about fishing. I know. I got so locked in on trying to catch the biggest muskie, or the most, I would get angry when I did not catch anything. Even worse is the green-eyed envy monster, jealous when somebody else was doing well when I was not. Childish, I know. Bad Ted, for sure. And then, self-doubt crept in. Am I any good at this? Why do I suck? I can’t do anything right! Now, letting catching a fish determine my self-perception is an incredibly dumb concept to me now, but I gotta say, it can happen. Fortunately, after living this fishing stupidity for, oh, I am not sure, probably decades, I grew up a little.

In my retirement I’m happy when I’m with friends, family or fishing. But I’m happiest when I’m with friends, family AND fishing. Charlie, my friend since 1968, and I try to go on at least one fishing adventure each year. I look forward to the next one the minute the one we are on ends.  But one day I realized that I wouldn’t go if Charlie was not going. That sent a clear message about what matters to me. Then I realized that most of my fishing memories are about what my fishing partners and I have done, and seldom do I remember the specific fish we caught. There are exceptions, like Charlies’ 55 inch muskie. Wait till you see the picture of how that fish crossed his eyes! Now that was a fish, a day, and a trip! But that is a story for another day.

Now I just enjoy any opportunity that I have to fish with my friends and family. I enjoy seeing anybody catch a fish. Or not. I am good, as long as I can enjoy the company of people I like while I am doing something I enjoy. Bad Ted Fishing is about getting back to the joy of fishing, not the competition of fishing. Competitive fishing is an amazing sport, and those folks are good at fishing, but most of us are not professionals. Nothing wrong with that, just that not all of us can do it. Nor is it necessary to travel to far-away places to catch the biggest or the most fish. Hey, I have made quite a few trips, and I enjoy them, but again, most of us don’t have the time, money, or desire for all that. But fishing with friends and family is something that we all can do.  If you enjoy tournament fishing or taking exotic fishing trips, then that is what you should do. The nice thing about fishing is that we can make it as intense or relaxed, as complicated or simple, as we want. Just make it fun for you and do not let outside pressures ruin it for you. For me, I have taken the words “biggest”, “farthest”, and “most” out of my fishing paradigm and replaced those words with F words: fish with friends and family for fun. Now, at the age of 73, I truly understand and enjoy the privilege of just being able to go fishing.  

A final thought: You just might enjoy your fishing more if you become a multispecies angler. I know I do. There is always something you can fish for close to home. We are going to follow Captain Hans as we go through this fishing season, and we will see how he stays on top of fish from ice out until the dead of winter by being flexible in what he fishes for and where. It is worth noting that Hans is a guide, the best, but he is properly equipped to be a multispecies angler and guide, from his boat, to his equipment, to his knowledge of the fishery. It was fishing with him that got me to become a multispecies fisherman again. I spent years just chasing muskies, but that can be a grind with hours, days without even seeing a fish. And I do like to catch fish. I still chase muskies and love it, and it is fun again, partly because it is just one of the several species that I chase.

So, this is how I fish now. I fish with friends and family for fun and for most anything. That’s me in the middle, surrounded by two outstanding fisherman, and even better friends! (And maybe I can still catch the biggest or the most fish. I said I grew up a little, not all the way.)