Fly Fishing Leads to Good Ideas

I recently read a business article on coming up with good ideas. It talked about how research and several examples show that the best ideas frequently come when someone is relaxed, engaged in an enjoyable pastime, or is performing menial tasks. It talks of how ping-pong amongst the nerds at Google is encouraged for productive thinking. I find that during fly fishing the brain tends to relax and focus purely on fishing. However, in so doing, occasionally brilliant ideas pop into my head with such clarity that I assume I'll never forget them. These ideas, however, usually take me by surprise, materialize into perfect action plans, and then just as quickly they float off into the ether, never to be recalled again.

Now I go prepared, ready to whip out the voice recorder on my phone or the memo pad function, and jot these things down so I can get back to focusing on the fish. I'm generally impressed, and even a little proud of myself, when I review these ideas. Most are pretty good, well, on a relative scale anyway. I'm no Einstein.

Remember that pastimes that allow for free thought, problem solving, and relaxation, especially fly fishing, will actually help you to come up with good ideas and will improve cognitive function overall. Be ready to record your thoughts at all times and you could just be surprised at what you come up with standing knee deep in a river and waving a stick.