Fishing as a Sport and as an Occupation

People first began fishing to feed themselves once they realized fish were good to eat and could be caught from rivers, lakes and oceans. Fish are a healthy source of protein that have little fat, or mostly healthy fat. Since fish were first discovered as a food source, there has probably never been a time when people did not catch them to eat.

Fish are best eaten fresh soon after they are caught since they will soon spoil unless they are kept very cold. Native Americans and Eskimo peoples found fish could be preserved for later use when smoke was used to dry the meat. The cleaned fish were cut into strips and hung over a smoking fire until the meat was thoroughly cooked and dried. The smoked fish provided a healthy source of protein during the winter months when the lakes and rivers were frozen.

Commercial fishermen found they could make a fairly decent living by catching large quantities of fish for fish markets and grocery stores. The development of commercial and residential freezers made it possible to freeze fresh fish so they could be cooked and eaten at a later date. Refrigerated trucks also made it possible to ship frozen fish across country to stores and restaurants far from where they were caught. People who had never caught a fish in their life were able to enjoy the healthy food whenever they desired.

Anyone who has ever caught a fish knows how fun and exciting that can be. Fishing has become such a popular sport that an entire industry has been created to support it. There are various types of fishing ranging from simply attaching a baited hook to a pole and line and throwing it into the water. This is how many kids have begun their fishing hobby, and all it takes is catching the first fish for them to become "hooked" on the sport.

Fly fishing is a more challenging approach to the sport and requires considerable practice to handle the pole and line properly. So, be sure to get yourself a good fly fishing reel and rod before going out there. Really big fish can be caught from a deep sea fishing boat. Daring fishermen often go out on a chartered boat where they may catch a huge Marlin or Tuna.

Whether the fish on the menu has been caught fresh or purchased from the frozen food section of a grocery store, it is one of the healthiest foods available.