Its long been known that physical activity and overall fitness improve health and longevity. Its also true that they improve fishing. How, you might ask? I’m glad you did, lets explore the topic…..
When I think about fitness I usually break it down into two categories: general fitness and sport specific fitness:
1. General Fitness
General fitness is often just a way of life for folks active in the outdoors. We need an energetic and strong body to do the things we love to do so we tend to naturally do things that keep ourselves fit and healthy. Those of us who enjoy the outdoors tend to be less likely to get stuck on the couch binging on Netflix and are not easily deterred to get out when the weather is sub-optimal. This tendency towards an active lifestyle often goes along with some decent eating habits. Put all that together and voila, general fitness!
2. Fitness specific to Fly Fishing
- Shoulder health and endurance – Basic fly casting requires good shoulder health. Intermediate to advanced techniques such as high stick nymphing, double hauling a heavy line, or spey casting ask more from our shoulders. Focusing on keeping the shoulder muscles strong and flexible helps allow us to expand the number of techniques we can use on the water, and consequently allows us to catch more fish. The shoulder is a complex joint made up of both large and small muscles. Be sure not to ignore the small muscles of the shoulder when thinking about shoulder fitness. Keeping them strong and flexible is key.
- Core strength – A strong and flexible body core (low back, abdominals, hip flexors, etc.) is important to anything and everything our bodies do. Low back pain is a common affliction, but it can be a manageable one. Increasing the strength and flexibility of your core muscles will help relieve back pain and generally add to your overall well being. They say “sitting is the new smoking” and the reason is that the sitting position robs core muscles of blood flow and over a prolonged period, it shortens muscles. All of which can be addressed and reversed by simple core body exercises done regularly
- Balance training – Standing in a river on slippery, moving rocks while water is rushing around your feet is no easy task. Our bodies nervous system can learn to balance better with practice. Balance training helps train the smaller muscles in our hips, ankles, feet, and core to restore our balance is we start to lose it. Balance training is easy to do but also easy to neglect, but it should be part of your fitness plan. Safety on the river, particularly as we age, hangs in the balance (pun intended J).
For help with your fly fishing fitness plan or questions about the content of this blog send us a message through our website SylvestreOutdoors.com or an email at george.sylvestre@www.sylvestreoutdoors.com
The bottom line:
You’ll fish longer, better, and more comfortably by adding a few simple exercises to your daily routine:
- Go for a walk – there’s no better way to start a day than watching the sun come up in the fresh air of a new day. It free, takes nearly zero equipment, and you can do it almost anywhere
- Stretch – another simple, easy, free way to improve your health that you can do while watching tv, waiting for the coffee, or during a Zoom meeting (just remember to turn your camera off)
- Resistance bands are a great way to add strength while working your range of motion, plus there are lots of helpful videos showing any number of exercises you can try (Tom Brady uses bands, you should too)
- Deep breathing exercises are great for relaxation and concentration. Find a comfortable and quiet place to sit, close your eyes, and take normal breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Picture yourself making the perfect cast to a rising trout. You know the rest…..