Fishing — the art of trying to catch a fish — is very different than catching — the act of landing a fish and having it under your care, custody and control. Smart anglers know the difference. They appreciate both and never confuse them.

Recreational anglers would do well to learn to enjoy fishing. It’s difficult to consistently catch fish, no matter the species. Fish move, they go dormant, they eat different things even when they’re active and, most of all, they have an extraordinary survival instinct.

They may not know what fishing line is, or what a hook does, but they know it’s not supposed to be there if they see it. They’ll shy away every time. Even the best anglers on the planet fish more than they catch.

And so, as spring warms and we all spend more time on the water we should learn to enjoy the experience. It isn’t all about catching fish. Sometimes it’s about watching a raccoon wash his food on the riverbank or a spying on a snake as it slithers along looking for a small rodent, its tongue flicking in and out with a rhythm that would make a drill sergeant jealous.

One time I saw a buck swimming across the river just below the power plant discharge at Aberdeen-Maysville. I’ll never forget seeing his head and rack above the water as he slowly made steady progress towards his goal — the other side of the river.

I watched him for well over a half-hour and had a wonderful time doing so. I was out several hours that day without a bite. Nevertheless, I still remember it years later, and smile every time I think about him.

To the day I die I’ll wonder what was in Kentucky that he couldn’t find in Ohio. It must have been important, to him anyway. The river’s wide at that point. It’s a long swim, especially for a deer propelling himself forward with nothing but skinny legs and tiny hooves. They can’t possibly move much water.

You don’t have to catch to have a good day fishing.