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The Great Reel Life of the Fantasy Fisherman
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Overview
There’s nothing better than whiling away many hours on the water, hoping that you catch that fish that’s long eluded your clutches. Before you know it, on the horizon you see the sun setting which means it’s about time to call it a day and go home. Tomorrow you’ll do it all over again. Such is the life of the fantasy fisherman.
The occupation of the fisherman is one of the oldest, one of the first people did for a living when they learned how to catch fish. It is also one of the most important, for it helps provide food for a number of people, helping them to eat a different kind of food that they otherwise couldn’t.
Being a fantasy fisherman isn’t for the faint of heart. There are some qualities so crucial to this occupation that without them, fishing would be more difficult and nearly impossible. Indeed, these qualities help separate those who are prime candidates for fishing from the vast majority of people who just aren’t a good fit.
The ocean is a whole new world, ripe with all sorts of treasures waiting to be discovered. These treasures range from the many species of fish that dwell under the waves to priceless objects like pearls that fetch a pretty penny. The best (or worst, depending on your perspective) part of fishing is that you never know what you’ll catch!
At first glance, it seems obvious that the purpose of the fantasy fisherman is to catch fish that will be used for a variety of purposes in the world which is its main purpose. However, it also has others and they help make this occupation stand out from all the ones out in the world.
This is the thirteenth article in the series chronicling the various kinds of fantasy occupations. If you want to see our other articles, they can be found on our blog page!
Qualities of the Fantasy Fisherman
Every occupation is best suited for certain kinds of people and the fisherman is no exception. This applies mainly for those seeking to make a living off the sea, not those who are interested in fishing as a hobby. The best fishermen in the world have many similar qualities that make this tough occupation a tad easier and more bearable.
The number one quality needed is patience. A fantasy fisherman doesn’t expect to catch a fish within moments of putting his rod or net in the water. He instead sits and bides his time, hoping that a fish will try to bite the bait. He doesn’t know when or if it’ll happen but he has no other choice. There’s always the potential of simply moving to another spot which he will do when he concludes it would be better to fish somewhere else.
Secondly, he has to be fond of the outdoors. Fishing is an entirely outdoors occupation, meaning that those who don’t like spending time outdoors ought to look for a different job. He has to contend with insects and creatures like birds and lizards who also feast on fish and if he doesn’t like that, being a fantasy fisherman just won’t work.
The third quality a fisherman ought to have is the quick capability to deal with unpredictable situations. This encompasses a sudden change in weather or wind speed which will impact how he makes money or an unexpected large number of birds and other animals at his fishing spots. He has to make decisions right away since these situations will affect his livelihood, for better or worse.
Fourthly, he has to have a competitive spirit. A fantasy fisherman is never alone on the sea; there are other people hoping to catch the same fish as he is. He has to work assiduously to catch as much as he can. That means he has to invest in the best tools that enable him to get an edge on his competitors and create his own bait that will attract the fish he wants.
The Fish the Fantasy Fisherman Catches
The sea is full of all kinds of fish. Some are as small as a hand and others are gigantic, towering over even the largest ship. Does that mean all of them can be caught? It would seem so but it depends on what fishing technology is available at the time.
Most likely, one of the first fish a fantasy fisherman will catch in the sea will be either bass or salmon. These two kinds of fish appear in many locations across the sea and are a popular addition to many dishes. Their massive numbers means there’ll be plenty of them to catch throughout the year.
Tuna is another common fish that a fisherman will capture. Tuna can range from small, weighing several pounds to being over a hundred. Like salmon and bass, tuna is used in many delicious dishes, making it an excellent part of the human diet.
While not as common as the first three, lobsters and crabs are a top target for the typical fantasy fisherman. Due to their being a tad more rare than the others, appearing only in specific spots at certain points of the year, they sell for more than them. When handling them, the fisherman has to be careful, lest he get pinched by their powerful claws.
Another aquatic specimen that the fisherman will catch at some point is the octopus/squid. These eight-legged beasts are featured in several dishes and their ink can be used for a variety of purposes. However, the fisherman has to tread carefully with them since they can easily wrap their tentacles around him and squeeze him to death.
There are a ton more fish besides the ones mentioned above. The beauty of creating your own fantasy world is that besides using the aforementioned ones, you can make your own. Your audience will enjoy learning all about them!
What the Fantasy Fisherman Brings to the World
Fishing is an important resource for civilization at all points of development. It provides an essential source of food for people as well as income for those who make a living off it. So what specifically does the occupation of the fisherman bring to the world?
Its number one contribution is to catch fish that will mainly be used for sustenance. The human diet requires a number of different foods and fish provides things like protein that help people have the energy to do what they need to do. They also help to satiate their hunger. The fish that can be caught depends on several factors such as the part of the world, the local climate, the weather, the part of the year, and so on.
Fish isn’t also used for consumption. It can be used in other things as well. The fish the fantasy fisherman catches can also be broken down into bait. Some fish, especially rare ones, are held in high regard and are prized as trophies, being placed in aquariums where people can come learn about them.
The various kinds of fish the fisherman captures helps increase awareness of what species resides in the area. People are always working to learn about the world’s many creatures and knowing which species of fish live where gives them the chance to study their behavior to gain a better understanding of them.
The fisherman also brings in income that helps keep the town/city afloat. In some places, the fishing industry is an influential part of the community and should it go under, the community itself will fall apart. The income generated by fishing goes to local businesses which helps keep jobs.
Tying it all Together
The career of the fantasy fisherman is one of perseverance. He has to sit and keep trying to catch as many fish as he can all the while knowing that some will get away. Moreover, he has to catch the right kind of fish, the one he’s looking for. He does it over and over again.
Out of the qualities needed to be a fisherman, patience is the most important. This occupation requires that he remain in the same place for long periods of time with his rod in the sea, hoping that a fish will take the bait. The fish he pulls out might not be the one he’s looking for which means he can either throw it back in the water or take it and try again and hope that the next one that he catches is the one he came out to capture.
The sea is awash in plentiful treasure, just waiting to be plucked. The fisherman has many options to choose from, from oysters to shrimp. In addition to incorporating real world fish, you can use your imagination to come up with your own and bring them into your world!
The fisherman is an invaluable part of worldbuilding. It helps bring a wholly different source of food for people, increasing the diversity of food available. Furthermore, the fish he catches can be used for many things like for medicinal purposes, which is always a plus!
Haven’t given much thought about the occupation of the fantasy fisherman? You can change that by starting today. Bringing it into your world can make it feel more real and gives your audience a glimpse into a part that they don’t see all too often!
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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