Celebration Saturday: Fishing & Sobriety with Ian Wilson

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"So let me get this straight, you spend all that time and money chasing after fish and then just throw them back? "  It's a question I've heard most of my life as others try to understand the appeal of fishing.  This line of questioning can come from folks who pay $75 to chase a little white ball in miniature cars.  Or from those who drop thousands of dollars on accessories for their beloved motorcycles.  We all have our passions, interests, and hobbies that truly make life worth living.  Fishing however is much more than just catching fish.  For many it's a form of therapy.  Fishing can, as this HuffPost article aptly describes, make us a better person.

Fishing has always been an outlet for me during the good but especially the challenging times in life.  During middle and high school, I didn't have many friends.  I didn't date girls.  Some of the friends I did have were getting into things that were not good for any of us.  While fishing didn't help me develop social skills at all, it definitely helped me develop an appreciation for nature.  A respect for all living creatures I could demonstrate each time on the water.  I learned how interconnected our world was and that ultimately influenced a belief in intelligent design when I had been an agnostic for years.  The quiet solitude of the shoreline made being a very introverted kid feel at home.

The lake, the forest, the stream, the rivers: they still provide the much desired respite from work, family, and more that can be stressors. For many, it's the only way to escape the man-made constructs of daily life. The flourescent light, cubicle walls, and bathroom air dispensors of the office workplace weigh heavy on the human psyche. Maybe it's that stack of laundry, house cleaning, and the fighting kids at home. Whatever your reason, fishing is a great stress reliever. It gets you outdoors, it provides some exercise, time with family, and for those challenged with addiction, it's a healthy habit away from the temptations of alcohol and drug use.

This feature looks at the story of Ian Wilson, a fisheries professional who recently celebrated three years of sobriety by getting an entire day out on the water to chase trout. This was Cinco de Mayo no less of course, one of the biggest party events of the year.  His message below on Facebook I found inspirational and I was curious to learn more about his story.  Lucky for us, Ian was willing to share.

"My amazing wife let me fish all day today to celebrate three years of sobriety.  Three years ago I couldn't have tied a fly to save my life, my hands shook so badly.  Tying has been a big part of my recovery from years of abusing my body with alcohol and drugs.  I highly recommend tying as a form of therapy to anyone in a similar situation.  Thanks for everyone on here's direct and indirect support.  It means a lot.  Tight lines and God Bless!"

Have you always been a fisherman or has that been an interest that’s developed over time? 

I am a seasonal fisheries technician for a government wildlife management agency based in Steamboat Springs, CO. In the winters, I teach adaptive skiing and snowboarding to people with cognitive and physical disabilities for a local non-profit.

I started fly fishing when I was a kid, probably around age 11-12. I fished a lot as a teenager and in my early 20’s, but stopped taking it seriously the more my drinking progressed. Now, living near a fantastic trout fishery has it perks. I get to fish around 150 days per year, even if just for a couple hours after work. I always have at least two rods rigged and ready to fish in my truck at any given time. I don’t subscribe to any one school of fly fishing, I just like to catch fish. More often than not, that means nymphing for trout. I do find dry fly fishing to be the most relaxing for me. Focusing on a drifting fly allows me to quiet my mind like nothing else I’ve found except maybe tying flies.

Below are a few of Ian's own fly tying creations.

Blue Wing Olive Emerger

Wire Bodied Soft Hackle

Variation of a Charlie Craven pattern called the "Two Bit Stone"

At what point did you identify that your drinking was becoming a problem in your life? How did fishing play a role in helping with your sobriety?
I had known that I drank too much for years before I actually stopped. I knew I had to stop when after a doctor visit and routine blood work, my doctor called to tell me that my liver was in bad shape and I seriously needed to consider lifestyle changes. I took me over two years and three treatment centers of struggling to get 90 consecutive days sober. I just celebrated three years on May 5th. I quickly turned back to fishing and fly tying soon after getting sober. I found myself with tons of energy and enthusiasm for life once I wasn’t thinking about getting drunk all the time. Fishing gave me something to wake up early for, to be excited about.

Advice for others in general regarding how fishing can be a positive outlet that can keep them on track in life?
I have heard of people using fishing as a positive outlet in so many different ways, it blows my mind. In my opinion, getting outside, clearing your mind without drugs or alcohol, learning a new skill or method, and getting exercise at the same time is my idea of a perfect day.

There are perhaps no better ways to spend a day celebrating independence from alcohol addiction than to spend it in an activity that helps you stay away from the temptation. One of my "go-to" responses these days when people ask "why do you love fishing?" is that you can't get into much trouble doing it! If you're finding yourself needing an escape, want to create a new healthy habit, or are struggling with addiction, fishing maybe helpful in your pursuit. For actual help with addiction to alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous can help. If you're concerned you're seeing the signs, start by talking to your doctor or counselor today!