Last Sunday, I was on the verge of diving into another deadline when Steve piped up: “I don’t suppose you’d like to come for a fish with Rog and me tomorrow? I know you’re flat out…”
It took me all of two seconds to realise my mental health was far more important than the never-ending to-do list. 😉 Of course, I rocked my Women’s Recreational Fishing League gear—because even on a day off, I never miss a chance to rep the cause. Workaholic? Guilty. But if that’s the price of passion, I’ll pay it.
When work can look like this, it’s hard to imagine opting for the desk instead.
I confess that I worked on this trip… I took some footage. But for the first time in almost three years, my primary focus wasn’t about advocacy or strategy. It wasn’t about pushing the sport forward or sparking industry conversations. It was just fishing.
Fishing has been the centre of my life for so long that sometimes I forget to simply do it. In my quest to make the world take fishing seriously, I often take it too seriously myself, neglecting to immerse myself in the light-hearted banter, the unexpected moments, the kind of unfiltered fun that comes when you leave responsibility on the shore.
First weight… what could it be?!
There’s something about standing in the salt air, the wind tangling your hair, and the rain pinpricking your skin … the troubles of the world can dissolve in the rhythmic surge of waves and the feel of the rod in your hand can, for a short while, become the most important thing. That hyper-focus, that quiet hum of awareness, is what makes fishing so special. It strips away the noise, leaving just me, the water, and the anticipation of a bite.
But here’s the thing: fishing doesn’t have to be a grand lesson in mindfulness. It doesn’t have to mean anything beyond the simple fact that it’s bloody good fun!
The belly laughs. The salt spray on sun-warmed skin. The oddly satisfying precision of baiting a hook just right. On Sunday, I wasn’t out there to prove a point. I wasn’t ticking a box or trying to land something spectacular. I was there because I could be. Because it felt good. Because sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to grab a rod, a mate, and a free afternoon.
Jo unleashes her signature “happy dance” on a quiet beach.
I didn’t land anything to write home about that day, but I walked away with a grin and a few cracking stories. And honestly? That was more than enough.
Some days, fishing is a solo retreat. Other days, it’s the best kind of social event. There’s something special about sharing time and space with people who get it — who don’t need constant chatter but can fill the silence with easy companionship. Fishing builds connections, sometimes through words, sometimes through knowing looks, and sometimes through relentless ribbing over botched casts and near-misses.
“Hello little Fella!” Jo lands her first fish of the day.
Lately, I spend more time encouraging others to fish than I do fishing. And while that’s a cause I’ll never stop championing, this trip reminded me of something crucial: you can’t be a voice for fishing if you’re not out there wetting a line yourself.
It’s so easy to let life get in the way. To promise yourself you’ll go when there’s time. But fishing isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment — it’s about taking the moment.
As I packed up my gear in the biting rain and wind, I felt lighter. This wasn’t some deep revelation about fishing’s role in mental health or conservation. It was just a day. A damn good day. Full of laughter, salt, and the kind of uncomplicated joy that keeps us coming back. And I think there’s as much mental wellbeing in that as there is in the whole Zen thing!
With the wind, the rain, the tide, and the fish… Jo filled her cup. Fishing makes joy easy.
So, if you’re anything like me — if you’ve fallen into a rut of talking about fishing more than actually doing it — take this as your nudge. Call a mate. Pack the rods. Leave the serious stuff at home.
The water’s waiting. And trust me — you need this.
Oh, and if you want a front-row seat to just how much fun I had, check out Steve’s video link further down the newsletter. There may be a few gleeful cameos of me, fully embracing my day off.
Until next time, FISH ON!
For three decades Jo has worked with businesses and personalities, helping them to promote themselves in one form or another, whether through graphic design, advertising, promotions or marketing.
She has owned a fishing rod for just as long, but it’s only been in this new century that it hasn’t been allowed to gather dust.
Jo is a passionate advocate for the sport of fishing and its promotion as a healthy lifestyle for women.
To find out more about Jo visit her website HERE
Or you can visit her Fishtopia Web site HERE or on the banner below.
Jo is also the founder and National President of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) Inc. The work they do is very important in balancing the participation ratios of fishing in Australia, thus making the collective voices of Aussie anglers more harmonious and powerful, as well as shoring up the economy of the sector. For more information visit their Website at womensrecfishingleague.org
