It's the whole experience, from deciding where to go, what to take and then the getting there. Most trout don't live in ugly places..so... There is usually a great scenic view, I get to shoot the breeze with a buddy on the way there and back, or I can go alone and I get to forget about anything other than how to outsmart a fish, I get outdoors, I can play with the equipment on the lawn, I can try and tie some flies, its fun, I don't have to take the fish home with me (that pleases them too), there is a limitless supply of toys that I can spend my money on and oh yes there is also a limitless number of opinions on what to buy, what to use , when to go (on the last one I'm usually a week to early or a week to late) and of course where to go..'nuff said....
It's also the only place I can smoke a cigar and not get yelled at!!