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I spent last weekend, Canada Day, out on the ocean with a skiing,
fishing, hunting, buddy that I have known for the last 36 years.
The weather was not great. The wind blew strongly, the rain came
down heavy at times, and it was cold for this time of the year.
The fishing was fair for three days, but it really picked up when
the high-pressure system came in on Wednesday.
Fishing Partners
We did well with the salmon, coho and spring, caught halibut and
some nice lingcod. Years from now, I won't remember what we brought
home, how big the fish were, or the weather. What I will remember
is how great a trip we had and whom I was fishing with, because
after all, that is what fishing is all about, the partnership of
fishing friends. We had a great trip because we had great fishing
partners.
Herb, my long-time friend gives 120% all the time. Darryl I had
met previously, but never had a chance to fish with. Unfortunately,
we didn't get much chance to see Darryl as he picked up the "Revenge"
from somewhere. We nicknamed him Scoot as most of the time that
he was on land we saw him scooting for the bush. He became the butt
of many jokes, but retained his sense of humor through the whole
ordeal. About all that he did retain.
Al, I had skied with years ago but it was nice to touch bases
again. This was a new experience for him and the first time on the
wild north coast. We shared many jokes, good-natured ribbings, our
view on various world topics, and all the other important things
that happen around campfires everywhere.
Good partners?
It got me thinking, what makes a good fishing partner? One of my
main trout fly-fishing partners is a great example. Dave and I don't
really remember how we started fishing together. We may have been
talking one day in the shop about our favorite places on the Blackwater
River. So one day, one of us said, "...we should get together
on the river".
When I picked Dave up he placed a twenty dollar bill on the dash
for gas, said he had packed a couple extra sandwiches and might
have a cold one stashed some place after day was done. Dave fishes
mush faster than I do, I tend to fish very thoroughly covering every
square inch of the prime spots, but Dave would wait for me to catch
up at the next pool.
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(We are changing
the publish date to Fridays)
We worked downstream, taking turns at the hot spots, never in competition
with each other, or getting caught up in the numbers and size game.
At the end of the day, the day was that much richer enjoying each
other's company than it would have been alone, and we have been
fishing together since.
Newcomer
One day Dave asked if it was OK to bring a fellow worker along
and I said it would be fine with me. The guy seemed nice enough
and he had fished the river before. After a twenty-minute walk,
cutting across a bend in the river, we arrived. The newcomer immediately
stepped into the river and started fishing down. The next time we
saw him was at the car seven hours later. He said there were fish
in every pool, that we should do it again sometime, and he had a
great day. Dave and I did not have a great day. The newcomer had
hit all the pools without thought for his fishing partners and now
wanted an invite back for another trip. Dave and I both agreed that
we would call him again when the government gives you all your money
back that they have spent unwisely and when all the politicians
start working for you, and when hell freezes over, and, well you
get the picture.
Most important
The good fishing partner is, of course, dependable, on time, pays
his portion of the expenses, carries his share of the load and all
those expected things but there is a lot more to it than that. It
is a genuine love of the sport, the sharing of the experience, the
same ethics and working on the same wavelength that makes a good
partner. If you don't have a good fishing partner find one, because
that is when you will have your best fishing.
The fishing
Coming back from Prince Rupert I noticed a lot of anglers along
the Skeena, a few of the sandbars are now exposed, and the river
is dropping and clearing slowly. Most important though is that the
salmon are there. The Kitimat was in great shape midweek and a lot
of salmon are in the river. The Kispiox is also quite fishable although
still high.
Today's tip: Troll in lazy 'S' curves. You will cover more
water. The outside rod will rise and move faster, and the inside
rod will slow down and work deeper. Remember which rod is working
best and adjust your tackle accordingly.
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