That question is for all you deep thinkers to ponder. I already know my answer.

I got a serious humbling over the weekend. I did my annual frozen-foot February steelhead trip to the Salmon River.

Here's how the numbers panned out:

Hours fished: About 12, give or take one or two.

Miles driven: About 350.

Number of fish landed: Zero.

Number of fish hooked: Zero.

Regrets: Zero.

If for no other reason, I got my dog out of the house and on the river, where she got to romp and roam and escape city life.

I hung out with my fishing buddies, and I visited one of my favorite places in Idaho.

Yeah, it was cold, and the trip wasn't without its annoying moments, like getting my drift boat stuck in the snow (long story).

But the reason I don't regret it is no two fishing trips are alike and that variability is what keeps things interesting.

Maybe I would have landed the fish of a lifetime. Obviously I didn't, but I knew it wouldn't happen if I stayed home on the couch.

So if you're wondering whether to go fishing or stay home, I can't tell you which you should do. But I can tell you there are a lot worse things in life than getting skunked on a river on a cold February day.

Next time I am out fishing and the weather turns sunny and the fish start feeding like they just came off a hunger strike, I will appreciate it that much more.

So think about that, and if you're wondering where to go, check out details on fishing derbies on page O4.