A young girl learns how to fish. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

For the record, I’m never going to fish.

I’m not opposed to fishing. I eat fish. I’ve gone on fishing trips. I join my husband plenty of times in a boat while he casts a line. Please don’t take this as a challenge. Fishing time, to me, is reading a book and enjoying a hot tea while immersed in nature. We know our places in our relationship. My lack of interest doesn’t mean I don’t see the benefits of learning how to fish.

Over the years, my husband has taught our children, family members and numerous visitors how to fish. Fishing requires patience, resilience, perseverance, problem-solving and an appreciation for nature.

Fishing is also a life skill, providing people with the ability to feed themselves. The proverb, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime,” still rings true.

New York State Free Fishing Days will take place this weekend, June 24-25, as well as Sept. 23 and Nov. 11. These days allow anyone to fish in New York waters without a license. Held annually on the last weekend in June, this event started in 1991 to encourage people to try fishing. Since my husband already has his fishing license, he often uses the annual Free Fishing Days as a chance to introduce visitors or our non-fishing friends to the sport. Keep in mind that children under the age of 16 don’t require a license.

A fishing license is necessary even if a parent assists a child in taking a fish off the hook. For residents of New York state, a one-day fishing license still costs $5 and has been reduced to $10 for non-residents. There are other licensing options ranging from a whole week to a year. Please check in with the experts at the local angler shops for the latest information. Any revenue from annual and short-term recreational licenses goes directly to the New York State Conservation Fund to support programs to manage fish and wildlife populations.

Sitting in a boat and relaxing while others fish is what fishing is to me. Sometimes it isn’t about the catch but the process of getting there. So get outside, and see what all the fishy fuss is about. It’s free!