| Throughout the evolution of mankind, there | | | | our conscience. So what is it about this |
| are not many things that have remained still | | | | practice that makes us enjoy and feel drawn |
| facing thousands of years, which have | | | | to it even in the twenty-first century, an |
| stubbornly refused to change and morph into | | | | era of absolute "laziness", where we can eat |
| something else. One of these few things are | | | | fish just by buying it from a local grocery |
| fishing, an aspect so familiar and common | | | | shop? Scientists believe that we feel the |
| that it is often disregarded by such | | | | urge to relate to nature, to feel free in it, |
| categorizations. What started off as a means | | | | and that our instincts pull us into trying to |
| of food providing has become over the | | | | communicate with nature once more. And what |
| centuries one of the world's favorite | | | | better way to do this than by going on a |
| pastimes, attracting people of any age and | | | | fishing trip? Another similar theory tries to |
| from any corners of the planet. | | | | demonstrate that man continuously searches to |
| | | | reassure himself that he is in control of |
| Fishing is a very ancient practice that dates | | | | nature, and that nature is merely a means, an |
| back at least to the Mesolithic period which | | | | ally into man's fight for survival. Clearly |
| began about 10,000 years ago. Archaeological | | | | the two theories are bold and innovational |
| features such as shell middens, discarded | | | | but do make sense and explain many aspects of |
| fish bones and cave paintings show that sea | | | | the matter, gaining more and more adepts |
| foods were important for survival and | | | | worldwide. |
| consumed in significant quantities. During | | | | |
| this period, most people lived a | | | | The skeptics however, think that it's nothing |
| hunter-gather lifestyle and were, of | | | | more than an exaggeration and that fishing in |
| necessity, constantly on the move. | | | | the present day has nothing to do with its |
| | | | meaning in the past. They claim that it's |
| However, where there are early examples of | | | | only practiced for relaxation and that people |
| permanent settlements (though not necessarily | | | | have finally managed to find the entertaining |
| permanently occupied), that are almost always | | | | aspect of fishing. To some extent, this |
| associated with fishing as a major source of | | | | theory could seem more "down to earth" but it |
| food. The Neolithic culture and technology | | | | alsoraises some questions. Why haven't we |
| spread worldwide between 4,000 and 8,000 | | | | found modern means of relaxation? Why are we |
| years ago. With the new technologies of | | | | keen on keeping alive a practice of thousands |
| farming and pottery came basic forms of all | | | | of years? Can it only be our need to relax in |
| the main fishing methods that are still used | | | | a natural décor from time to time? |
| today. | | | | |
| | | | As it is the case with all of mankind's |
| In addition, fishing has always been a part | | | | mysteries, the truth refuses to come out, |
| of our evolving process, helping our | | | | come clean with us, and it is probably |
| ancestors survive through harsh times and | | | | somewhere in between. What we know for sure |
| feed their families, thus playing a crucial | | | | is that we love fishing and that it has |
| role in what we are today. Surprisingly or | | | | always played an important role in our |
| not, the industrial boom in the eighteenth | | | | becoming. Who cares about the reasons? Let |
| and nineteenth centuries has not managed to | | | | that to the scientists' concern, grab your |
| shake fishing from the place it occupies in | | | | angling rod and enjoy fishing. |