By yourself or with a partner?
- This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated May 6, 2010 at 7:49 pm by
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hey billy,
interesting question…i think for me, it is a solo endeavor…after all the time we have to spend with people all day it is nice to just be alone i think….i do enjoy fishing with friends once in a while, but more so on organized bigger trips…special occasions !I fish alone most often, too, especially since much of my fishing is in the creek behind my house or other nearby waters, fished midweek when the crowds are down.
But then, if I had someone to fish with like Lauren, I’d want to pair up as well.
Interesting topic and one that comes up in the car on the way to the water many times. I think many folks approach the question in stages. When one’s newer to the sport and filled with discovery, they are more likely to share the experience with close friends and family extended. Like a new convert to an outdoor religion. Fish days are easier to come by and since you’re just getting started too, teaching your new gospel and learning is a joy. Sure, you may be a little obsessed and fish more often by your lonesome out of sheer passion. But those days when you can get a friend to join you are welcome on a fellowship level even when you have to help them along and loan them half your gear. As one grows older and acquires more skills, meanwhile gets more commitments and less time on said water, the thought of ‘sacrificing’ a day to teach your sisters boyfriend, for example, how to fly-fish, can cause heartburn. I know that sounds terrible and you’re thinking ‘what a conceited a$$hole!’. But the concept is out there. Haven’t you had the same in-transit conversation with your own circle of trust? Things change, and so do fishermen.
That said, I rarely fish alone these days. I’m lucky in that the folks I go with put my sorry skills to shame any given day so I learn from them. (But they don’t tie on my flies ect. for me ha ha). Plus, most of them look dy-no-mite on camera =). I guess I’m at the point now where capturing a great photo is almost more important than landing a fish. Almost. And getting good images is tougher alone. Does that make any sense? Sorry about the ramble but you got me thinking.
db
Douglas –
I think that’s an interesting concept. I would probably draw up the progression like this:
(1) Learner. Fishes with others, who sacrifice their time to teach him to fish.
(2) Enthusiast. Fishes with friends when possible, alone when required. Lots of skills to learn so goes back and forth from learner to teacher. May teach others even when he has no idea what he is talking about (guilty – ask Lauren).
(3) Loner. Seriously getting good at this, feels inadequate about level of experience. Very results oriented; usually toward big fish. Will fish alone, or with others, but socialization takes a back seat. Uses terms like “tactical,” “game of chess” and “blood sport” a lot.
(4) Teacher. Spends a lot of time holding #1’s hand. Often buys a boat even when no one around him knows how to row. Generally glamorizes the struggle of (1)-(3), has forgotten how hard it was to learn to cast. If naturally patient or unusually well-married, stays here for life. Otherwise, see (5).
(5) Guide. Believes in the hooker’s adage: never give it away. Will probably give it away anyway because they’re usually still nice guys. Spends hours staring into mirror, practicing thousand-yard stare, cultivating facial hair. Typically refers to himself as “a turkey/elk hunter” rather than a fisherman.
🙂
Zach
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