Sharing a fishing adventure with a compatible partner or two can add to its enjoyment — some interesting conversation, a little humor, and good natured teasing. You can also compare notes and improve success. “Did you see any hatches?” “What did you try?” “What worked?” None of us is as smart as all of us. There are also strategic aspects to fishing with a buddy in crowded situations. The two of you can more easily secure access, if not secure runs when steelhead fishing. There is strength in numbers in these competitive situations. And you have a photographer to snap the picture of a treasured piscatorial scene. An added benefit is that a buddy can get you excited and committed to go on a trip that you might otherwise find reasons or excuses to skip.
But fish’n’ buddies become more important as you age. For the aging angler, having a fishing companion or two can add some needed safety, security, and assistance. I am approaching 80 and still fly fishing. I can wade in relatively less challenging conditions, but the physical limitations I face make it more of a struggle. Having someone close enough to notice trouble and help or secure help is reassuring. Fortunately, I can still get up from a kneeling position without aid, but I am unable to bend forward very far due to a degenerative spinal condition. To compensate, I often use a fold-out grabber to pick up items. I am under a 15-pound lifting restriction. My balance is suspect, as well. In spite of these issues, I still find great joy on the water. Going camping with my pop-up trailer, though, has physical demands that are challenging. Setting it up involves pushing up on the front and back sections to lock them into place. This strain on my back far exceeds my limit. The problem is not that I can’t lift things, it is the aftereffects, the sciatica pain, that I have to endure. I have looked into other campers, but mine fits my constrained maneuverability and storage requirements. Fortunately, I have had fishing companions who were willing to lift the sections of the camper into place. These have been friends who, like me, belong to a fly-fishing club. I’ll trade dinner for the help. I offer to pay for the camping fee. Or the beers are on me, and we’ll use my vehicle.
I no longer lift fully loaded coolers, either. Mine goes into the SUV empty. Then I fill it in position. This takes longer, but many tasks can be reengineered to work around lifting limitations. If we are taking a different vehicle on the trip, a companion transfers my fully loaded cooler.
Going on a fishing trip alone and staying in a motel is problematic. Lifting loaded luggage in and out of a vehicle and into a room is not something I should do. If I take a solo trip, it is usually to a lodge where luggage assistance is included. A willing buddy would make all the difference. I can still hike, but what if I fall, injure myself and can’t get up? What if I get a flat tire outside cell phone range? I have had situations where I needed to step over partially collapsed sections of barbed wire fencing while wearing waders. A fishing friend steadied me so I had sufficient balance to complete the maneuver safely.
A friend, Rick Davis from Walnut Creek and Ashland, Oregon, is more physically challenged than I. He has been coping with MS for 30 years. Weakness affects his entire right side. He uses a walker or a cane in many situations, but he is still driving — and he is still fishing. He regularly sends me his grip-and-grin photos from the Bahamas, Belize, and Alaska. The airlines supply assistance with his baggage and the trip to the gate. Guides provide the help he needs to get in and out of boats. He has used a walker on the saltwater flats while wade fishing. His single-handed fly rods have been modified with an extended butt so he can cast them two-handed, Spey style. He is an inspiration. He often runs into other anglers who offer help. Rick’s advice is that in spite of your visible challenges, do not let your ego stop you from fishing or from accepting assistance.
Rick has a good friend who must be sent from heaven. This person has a boat and takes Rick fishing, helping him in and out of it and giving whatever other assistance he needs. Rick goes stillwater fishing, occasionally in a U-style float tube, with his friend’s assistance. This friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, mentioned that tying flies on 15 inches of tippet with an end loop makes changing flies easier. The friend says that helping other fly fishers just seems like to right thing to do. Maybe it is paying it forward to the day when he needs the help. As is my experience, as well, being a member of an angling club has been a great help. Rick and his friend are members of the Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club and have known each other for years. Rick is also a member of the Rogue Fly Fishers. He receives assistance from other anglers, too. I don’t have adult family members who fish, so I find myself looking for a younger and stronger fishing buddy, preferably one who is willing to be my guardian angel. But what can I offer in return? Have I made deposits into the friendship emotional bank account? Are these sufficient to allow withdrawals in the form of assistance? At least I am able to swallow my pride, which might prevent others from accepting help.
In return, I can share information based on years of experience. I can identify spots on a map that are actually amenable to swing-style Spey fly fishing. I know places in the San Francisco Bay Delta that have been productive for striped bass. I have a boat and am willing to take people with me in exchange for help launching and retrieving the vessel. Would these be sufficient enticements? So far they have been. If you see someone struggling with a fishing-related task, you might consider paying it forward. It just seems like the right thing to do.
