Fit & Healthy

You must know by now that Teise Membership is probably at least as good for you as a Gym membership, and a lot more fun. A recent study on the benefits of trout fishing, albeit in the Antipodes, has proved what we all know to be true: that trout fishing is great exercise and also very good for that modern obsession - mental health. Here's what they say:

New study shows fishing can support your mental health and wellbeing

Dear Fish & Game Licence Holders,

Many of you already know this but it's great to have research to back it up. 

Our research involving nearly 1,900 anglers, the largest of its kind globally, has shown that fishing can significantly boost wellbeing and mental health.

Key findings

Key findings from this landmark study published in Leisure Sciences:

Active anglers were

✓ 52% less likely to experience moderate-to-severe psychological distress

✓ 46% less likely to experience moderate-to-severe anxiety

✓ 52% less likely to report thoughts of self-harm

The research found a clear "dose-response relationship" - the more you fish, the better your mental health outcomes.

Specific elements of trout fishing that enhanced the benefits:

·         Wading in water

·         Fishing with companions

·         Physical activity from accessing fishing locations

·         Catching fish!

The benefits were consistent across gender and ethnic groups, including both New Zealand European and Māori participants.

Read our media release and fact sheet about the study here.

So you don't need to take my word for it any more. That must be why I am so fit and healthy and mentall well-balanced (well, these things are relative of course). You don't have to just rely on wandering up and down the riverbanks, or wading, and actually catching fish is optional . You can also supercharge the benefits of Teise Membership by joining the Work Parties, like the one we had today at the Reservoir.

Where else do you get to cut down trees in beautiful surroundings, and great company?

We did actually clear it away and burn it as well, so many thanks to Andy, David, Ian, Keith and of course Nigel with the great coffee. We also had very welcome guest appearances (and help) from John and Chairman Mike, plus a healthy snack of Doughnuts and Apples. No wonder we're all so fit and well-balanced.

Meanwhile, back on the river, you may have noticed last week that the water took on a remarkable clarity, revealing loads of fish, and presenting a great opportunity to examine the contours of the river bed. This is invaluable for revealing where it is safe to wade, but also the most likely spots for fish to hide and feed. After the weekend rain, it did cloud up a little bit, but the clarity is still pretty good, and it may well get even clearer as the dry weather prevails.

This is a great bonus for us, as October can sometimes be a washout, so try and take the chance to get down to the river before the end of the month when the trout season closes.

The clear water also means that the trout are more likely to see and rise to dry flies, so be sure to give them a try, even if you don't see any rises, especailly if you can see and target a fish. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a trout turn and grab your dry fly - a fantastic boost for your mental wellbeing.

Don't be afraid to try the Reservoir too, as the weed is dying back fast now, and is not much of a problem. Casting to the middle, where the trout were rising noisily all day today, may be more of a challenge for some. You'll probably catch some Rudd there anyway, and they're lovely little fish, so you can still achieve something even if the trout elude you.

Don't forget the fly-tying evenings which start again next Wednesday evening (email Keith straight away if you want to attend), and another healthy Work Party on Saturday 18th.

We should all be astonishingly fit and healthy and ready for Winter after all that.

Cheers

Peter