When I Fish Alone, I Prefer to be by Myself

[Letort]

With regards to George Thorogood and his bad habit.

I started a thread on fishing in retirement and saw more than a couple of responses that folks lost fishing buddies for whatever reason and that limited their time and / or enjoyment on the water.

Reflecting on my fishing, I choose to fish alone 95% of the time. And even when I take someone along, I head in the opposite direction with plans to meet at the end of the fishing time. I make exceptions when I take new or inexperienced fly fisherman that are learning.

Probably not always the smartest move, particularly when blue lining in some remote area, as I don’t even tell anyone (wife) where I am going. Figure if it hits the fan, someone will notice the buzzards circling overhead.😉

I self-identify as an introvert and I imagine that plays into it a bit, but I do enjoy golf in a foursome and other human interaction (within reason).

How about you and has that changed over the years?

 

[troutbert]

I like fishing small streams, and I like fishing with someone.

But fishing small streams with someone can be tricky, because there is just one small stream, and two people.

Not everyone agrees on the best way to share the stream.

 

[riverwhy]

I like both. I am an introvert as well and often fish with my brother and another friend. Quite often I fish in the opposite direction as the other two, be it on Penn's or a smaller stream. I think it's mainly because they fish dries more than me! It's also easier to lie about numbers and size🙂 But I do like fishing on my own. I also like being the one to decide when to call it a day or when to explore further. Can't beat the beer and food afterward either tailgating or back at the campsite!

 

[Bamboozle]

I am with you 100% on this style of fishing...

I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it and fish the holes, pools, ponds, runs, riffles for as long or as short as I want without someone breathing down my neck...

Like you, IF I am fishing with someone else we split-up and go our separate directions and regroup at the end of the day or at lunch time. However, I have been utilizing a couple of FRS walkie-talkies for a long time as a way to stay in touch, just in case. 😉

The ONLY exception to this "rule" is if I am fishing from a boat with a partner, sitting in a chair on the bank or the few times I've been teaching someone to fish.

Interestingly enough, even as a kid when I used to take public transportation and/or hitchhike to streams or lakes I went alone or had someone drop me off...

...and that includes the very first time I went fishing in my life and walked 500 yards away from my friends to figure it all out by myself sitting under a tree.

The weird thing is I am an extrovert, a musician, an actor and I love being around people...

...except when I fish.

 

[JeffP]

I like both. I am an introvert as well and often fish with my brother and another friend. Quite often I fish in the opposite direction as the other two, be it on Penn's or a smaller stream. I think it's mainly because they fish dries more than me! It's also easier to lie about numbers and size🙂 But I do like fishing on my own. I also like being the one to decide when to call it a day or when to explore further. Can't beat the beer and food afterward either tailgating or back at the campsite!

Riverwhy we know you don't lie. You hardly ever catch anything. Seriously, I think exactly the way you do. Maybe being twins is the reason? There is something about being on your own and reporting back your adventures. There is also the comradery and being able to say "holy ****' did you see that and to yell fish on to your buddy even though he can never hear what you say.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Reflecting on my fishing, I choose to fish alone 95% of the time.

That is me too, so I hope that means I will fish a lot in retirement some day (I am 54 and have one that still has to go to college in a couple years, so wishful thinking).

I know my father talked about fishing every day when he retired, but he was not an introvert and I had a job and he lost fishing buddies, so he basically shopped for fishing gear and fished very little until he passed.

I get my social fishing in each fall chasing bass in the surf with a small group of buddies, and I do have a select fishing partner or three, including my son, that I enjoy spending time with. But overall, when I think of fishing it is alone time with the fishes and the other wildlife.

 

[wildtrout2]

I am with you 100% on this style of fishing...

I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it and fish the holes, pools, ponds, runs, riffles for as long or as short as I want without someone breathing down my neck...

Agree with this too. I'm almost exclusively a solo trout chaser. I love not seeing another fisherman for an entire day. It's good for the head.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Agree with this too. I'm almost exclusively a solo trout chaser. I love not seeing another fisherman for an entire day. It's good for the head.

That is heaven. A trout stream to yourself all day. It happens less frequently these days in my neck of the woods, but it does still happen, and it is def therapeutic...

 

[rrt]

Like Posters 7,8, I like to fish alone and almost never fish with another person. In the past I fished with a few people, but they either died or drifted away from fly-fishing. I do not fish for long periods of time, a couple of hours mostly, and I appreciate the times that I do not encounter anyone else on the water. As WT2 wrote, "it's good for the head."

 

[wildtrout2]

That is heaven. A trout stream to yourself all day.

Yep, and this Wed I'll be on such a stream. Can't wait! In the 40+ times fishing this particular stream, I've seen another fisherman two times.

 

[Kyle]

i like to fish with like minded people in the fly fishing community. i run into the same guy often and although we are not good friends we still trade flys and talk about how we made out that day. i dont even have his number we just always run into each other. nice guy. hes a die hard because i run into him during the cold winter months. so hes out there for the same reason i am.

" winter fish are solitary creatures, nothing wrong with a little alone time"

 

[greywolf]

With regards to George Thorogood and his bad habit.

I started a thread on fishing in retirement and saw more than a couple of responses that folks lost fishing buddies for whatever reason and that limited their time and / or enjoyment on the water.

Reflecting on my fishing, I choose to fish alone 95% of the time. And even when I take someone along, I head in the opposite direction with plans to meet at the end of the fishing time. I make exceptions when I take new or inexperienced fly fisherman that are learning.

Probably not always the smartest move, particularly when blue lining in some remote area, as I don’t even tell anyone (wife) where I am going. Figure if it hits the fan, someone will notice the buzzards circling overhead.😉

I self-identify as an introvert and I imagine that plays into it a bit, but I do enjoy golf in a foursome and other human interaction (within reason).

How about you and has that changed over the years?

Same here. I have a stressful job that requires long hours every day and working weekends, that includes a lot of time dealing with customer and employee issues. So when I get time to trout fish I like to get out by myself and relax with nature. I do fish with others occasionally but I avoid the people who want to make it a competition.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

I could go either way on this. I have some fishing buddies but generally like my space. It's also enjoyable to fish with others when you maybe can learn from your buddy or if local knowledge is appreciated between friends. I also prefer a fishing buddy to enjoy kielbasa or smoked dogs on the Coleman grill/stove without all the fixins. And having a good sense of humor is important in a fishing buddy.

 

[Kyle]

I could go either way on this. I have some fishing buddies but generally like my space. It's also enjoyable to fish with others when you maybe can learn from your buddy or if local knowledge is appreciated between friends. I also prefer a fishing buddy to enjoy kielbasa or smoked dogs on the Coleman grill/stove without all the fixins. And having a good sense of humor is important in a fishing buddy.

now your talking with the kielbasa on the coleman! kielbasa and sour kraut is great. i prefer it with dijon mustard

 

[wgmiller]

I fish by myself almost exclusively. It's nice to be able to pick up and go when and where I want and not be bound by others. That's not to say I don't enjoy the company of others, but time on the stream is sacred to me. It's nice to be able to work a stretch of water at my own pace and be able to pick apart the areas I want to fish.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Loner for sure. I like to run n gun n bushwhack. These 56 yr old knees have seen better days but till I can't do it no more I'm still running n gunnin and swinging for the fence lol lol 😂

 

[JeffP]

Yep, and this Wed I'll be on such a stream. Can't wait! In the 40+ times fishing this particular stream, I've seen another fisherman two times.

Where is it? Maybe I'll meet you! 🙂

 

[caddisflyer]

I like fishing with others and also alone. I will say I have had some almost mystical experiences when alone on certain streams. I felt like I was in a meditative trance which was very pleasant. Nature can be wonderful like that.

 

[dryflyguy]

I enjoy fishing with friends.
But have no problem fishing by myself if no else is available.
Just enjoy getting out either way

As for small streams -
I use to hike in to remote spots by myself.
And have had some wonderful experiences doing that.

But as I've gotten older, and have had some health issues develop - prolly not a good idea for me to do that anymore.
In fact I've promised my wife that I won't do it unless I have company

 

[goose54cdd]

Either way is fine with me. I Enjoy trips alone because I can speak with unsuspecting people that cross my path, haha. It's always nice to have a buddy with whom to compare notes.