Self-Isolation and Fishing: Some Tips on How to Do this
Ever since humanity adopted a sedentary lifestyle, people have not had to resort to fishing for the fulfillment of basic necessities. Since then, it has become a recreational activity; one that people all around the world partake in to relax, and get some distance from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic currently raging all around the globe – this is just one of the many aspects of our usual lives that may be altered. Is it safe to fish while self-isolation measures are being enacted? We’ll tell you all about it right here.
Safe Fishing Practices
When it comes to how you’ll conduct yourself during the coronavirus pandemic; while there are some broad instructions for everyone, each of us will have to adapt our own daily routines in specific ways. That being said – generally, you can go fishing even while the current health crisis is raging. Of course, the specific limitations you’ll have to respect depend on your location – and on top of that, you will have to obey some general safety guidelines.
Luckily, most fishermen spend time partaking in their favorite activity precisely because it provides them with a meditative time; one that’s not disrupted by droves of other people. Considering that, most local health authorities actually encourage the fishermen in their jurisdiction to keep doing what they love; provided they respect the currently enacted guidelines and regulations. It’s important to remember that fishing is a great opportunity to mend your psyche and tend to your mental health. So, you can still go outside and keep enjoying yourself – but you should bear some of the following points in mind.
Basic Guidelines
Before you get those reels spinning, you should think about whether you have any potential coronavirus symptoms. Sure, self-isolation measures are not necessarily in conflict with your fishing activities; but that’s true only if you’re completely healthy. If you do feel like you have some symptoms of this global virus, it’s simply too risky for you to even go fishing. You could still endanger others, or contaminate some equipment or surroundings. Remember, this is a highly infectious disease, so you shouldn’t fool around with that.
The symptoms in question include a heightened fever, heavy breathing or any other respiratory issues, as well as coughing. Should you feel any of those in even the slightest way – make sure to stay at home. Your fishing trip can wait for better days, and general safety and health are paramount right now.
Self-Isolation and Fishing Trips
On the other hand, if you feel like you’re totally healthy and exhibit no visible symptoms – you can still go fishing! Just make sure to have social distancing in mind. If you really want to go fishing, it’s advisable to avoid coming within six feet of anyone else while the pandemic is still in full swing. And if you’re not sure how you can measure this distance – that’s where your fishing rod will come in handy! As long as you’re able to extend the pole and turn around without hitting someone, you’re keeping them at a safe distance.
Of course, even if you do something as solitary as fishing – you might still run into someone, or have the need to interact with them. Sooner or later, you’ll run into someone at your favorite fishing spot, or on the road there. Perhaps there’s a store where you need to get supplies, and you might run into someone there. If that happens, the rules on social distancing that we’ve described above still stand. Furthermore, you should do all you can to avoid any kind of physical contact or touching.
Even in this dangerous situation, people cling to formalities like hugging or hand-shakes. While these greetings may be something you want to keep doing – like a high-five to your fellow fishing buddy – try to avoid them as much as possible. There’s no need to expose yourself any more than you already are by being outside of your home. On a similar note – try not to touch yourself while you’re outside; to be more specific, your face. If you have an urge to scratch yourself or to clear your nose and eyes, refrain from doing so if you haven’t cleaned your hands before that. When such a contagious disease is concerned, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Keep Everything Sanitized
Speaking of cleaning your hands – it almost goes without saying that you need to clean your hands as often as you can. If you have access to soap and running water, make sure you spend at least 30 seconds each time you wash your hands. Of course, these aren’t the amenities you’re likely to encounter on a fishing trip; which is why you need to prepare in advance. Take some hand sanitizer with you; alcohol-based in this case. If you don’t have soap available, a sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content will do the trick.
So far, we’ve only talked about how you should avoid unneeded physical contact with people. But estimates show that this virus can sustain itself on other surfaces for hours as well; making contact with surfaces that have been touched by an infected individual contagious as well. Pay attention to stuff like handrails, doorknobs, or other people’s fishing equipment. If you don’t need to, don’t touch them, and use a fish bag to keep your fishing trip sanitized. And if you absolutely must try to sanitize your hands right away afterward; naturally, without touching your face in the meantime.
Speaking of company, seeing as self-isolation is recommended by most national and global health organizations, we don’t recommend organizing huge fishing trips. Instead, only drive up to your spot with your closest family members if you must – and only if all of them are completely healthy and sure of their COVID-19 negativity. Also, once you arrive, you don’t want to touch anyone else’s fishing gear either; while a communal spirit can be a great thing on fishing trips, this is definitely not the time for physical sharing.
