Wonderful historic images from when trout fishing was actively promoted by the NZ Government.

When did you last see this happening?  Now tourism is NZ’s largest most important industry,they have forgotten about the importance of trout fishing to heartland NZ!

Following a discussion with inmates about the importance of trout fishing and to try to understand the changes I have just been perusing “The Facebook Guide for People over 50”.  (I only just qualify.)  As most TRM guests also qualify the this may be of interest when considering their retirement options..  To us ‘oldies’, how we can communicate using this social media stuff is quite amazing – it has changed the world.  It is just a pity we don’t understand it.

Under “Fitness & Health” – which all us seniors are supposed to be concerned about (?) – they suggest quote:

“According to most experts on aging, the four keys to a healthy and vibrant second half of life are having lots of social connections, keeping your mind active, eating well and exercising regularly.”

… and it goes on to say:

“When you’re over 50 maintaining or improving your fitness – particularly your flexibility, strength, balance, and cardiovascular health – is crucial.  Good overall fitness gives you more energy, a sharper mind, more stamina, and more independence, and has been shown in study after study to reduce the risk of many diseases and to prolong life.”

OK?  (Can’t disagree with that Stuart?  You can see where this is leading… )

Then they list all the facebook options available to achieve the above – such as Fitness, Exercise, Cycling, Pilates, Running, Speed walking, Strength training, Stretching, Swimming, Triathalon, Walking, Weight training, Yoga, etc.

Note what is missing?  The one essential activity which includes all the above key concerns to prolong life – trout fishing!  Not sitting down fishing from a boat, but river fishing involving all the requirements mentioned such as energy, flexibility, strength, balance, stamina, independence, walking, stretching (and perhaps even occasionally swimming?) etc.  That is why the Tongariro River is so important as a health mecca for retirees seeking longer satisfying healthy lives.

But then in a later chapter they go on to say:

“Millions of ‘facebookers’ list Sports as their interest on their profiles.  Similarly there are a dozen sports where at least 1 million Facebook users have declared themselves fans of sport.  In fact, here’s a list of the 20 most popular sports of Facebook (in descending order of fans):  (Yes, it is an American publication)

Soccer

Basketball

Fishing

American football

Baseball

Tennis

Golf

Volleyball

Snowboarding

Hunting

Skiing

Bowling

Ice Hockey

Cricket

Cycling

Track & Field

Rugby

Boxing

Sailing Table Tennis

Mmmm…  See how highly ‘Fishing’ rates – third!  Not surprising at all really.  If you have read this far you are a ‘senior’ angler.  Obviously the only thing you are doing wrong is not practising the key exercises enough…  SWMBO is only concerned about your health of course.

But it is interesting to observe the relative importance of Fishing to Facebook readers and retired folk.  Work is so over rated.  Once you can get rid of that boring ‘daily grind’ burden then fishing should become the priority – if only in the interests of your general well being to prolong life…