There is a children's song, which reveals the joy and fun in fishing. The song is popular, and fish have been on our planet for many millions of years and were probably the staple diet of prehistoric animals which roamed the earth. However, it is only in fairly recent times that people discovered that catching them could also be fun. And so, one of the most trendy sports of all time has developed. It is estimated that in England, on a normal Saturday afternoon, more people will be fishing than watching soccer. What is it about fishing that attracts millions of people all over the world to visit rivers, lakes and oceans each weekend? The answer is certainly not hunger. Some say it lies in the fact that fishing offers a great pleasure of achievement. The equipment can be expensive, but the thrill of catching a fish usually justifies the expense. However, it is most fishing fans' experience that they might have hooked a large or small fish once or twice. But in some cases, what they catch is an old boot, rarely with a school of fish in as depicted in cartoon stories. Others say it is the easiness of this activity that makes it appealing. True, but again only partly. Landing a struggling fish skillfully is more like an hour or more of frantic and hard work. If you have read Earnest Hemmingway's The Old Man and the Sea, you would know better than to assume it to be easy. The mystery which surrounds fishing is said to be another attraction. After all, when you have your line into the water you have little control over what happens next. You will spend hours watching your line in the hope that you will be able to land something better than the one you caught last time. In spite of this, you may never go so far as to dream of catching a charming mermaid, a gold-fish princess, or a magic bottle with some genius locked in! So none of the above mentioned is the most fundamental reason why I love fishing. I often fish for hours without catching anything--not even old boots. “You should give up fishing!” my friends say, “It is a waste of time and bait.” But they do not realize one important point. I am not really interested in catching something for my barbecue. Nor do I expect to have a romantic meeting with any mermaid or fish princess. All that I am fond of is sitting in a boat and enjoying the soothing effect it has on me. Even before going fishing, the planning is already diverting my mind from the stress and strain of my work. Where am I going this time? Will it be salt water or fresh water? What kind of bait will I be using? All these could very well relax a tired body and mind. And I believe this is the true incentive for most, if not all, fishing fans in the modern society.