There is the adrenaline rush of the fight and the satisfaction of the catch. You can act as God and give the fish back his freedom and life, or you can exercise your ultimate right as a predator and kill him for the table. Life and death, another lesson not easily learned. Perhaps that is why I release almost all my fish now, I deal with death in my real job every day. There is always the anticipation of a new day, a new adventure.
Every trip is different with unexpected challenges to be met .
The walk to the stream, scanning the water for rises, checking the bushes for prior hatches. The first step into the water, the approach to the lie, the deep breath before the first cast. Each action, a ritual behavior we follow which comforts us. Flycasting itself is a pleasing sensation. It is relaxing.