When I Fish Alone, I Prefer to be by Myself

[dryflyguy]

I think getting old still beats not getting old.

My fishing skills are starting to diminish some now.
Can't wade like I used to.
And tying small flies is a challenge.

But I'm still getting out and catching fish..........

 

[salmo]

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?

I strongly agree, but at 73 I will send my son a dropped pin when I fish the more remote locations.

 

[Bamboozle]

I strongly agree, but at 73 I will send my son a dropped pin when I fish the more remote locations.

Technology is great but...

One thing I always did/do when fishing remote locations, even when fishing with others was to leave behind a note in the cabin, tent or car each day with the names of the creeks I/we planned to fish. That note included stream coordinates, as well as the make/model/color & license number of the vehicle(s) we were in, cell phone numbers, the contact info for significant others and the channel of our FRS radios.

I created pre-printed 5" X 7" forms with all the pertinent info that I keep on a small clipboard specifically for the purpose and would usually leave that form on the kitchen table of the cabin or the driver's seat if it was a day trip. I also left a similar note with my wife before a trip with an itinerary by day that included stream names and coordinates, as well as the other information.

I also checked-in at least once a day if I had cell service.

Another thing I/we carry in the remote places is a small signal flare pen and spare flare cartridges. This idea was born out of a situation when fishing partner got disoriented on Slate Run in total darkness and I was back at the car trying to help him find his way off via walkie-talkie.

Neither he nor I knew if he was upstream or downstream of a known trail to get off the creek so it was difficult to determine if he passed the trail end or hadn't yet waded that far upstream. It all turned out fine, but a flare sure would have relived a lot of anxiety and saved time that night... 😳

Also, in a pinch if you don't die or die of fright beforehand, flares can also double as "bear bangers." 😉

Which brings me to another thing that is ALWAYS part of my routine whether fishing alone or with others, especially if the fishing will be after dark.

WHILE IT IS STILL LIGHT...

I visually identify a place where I know I can easily get off the water and loiter around that spot as it gets close to darkness. If I have an established spot where I typicality get off the creek, I'll start downstream and fish upstream towards it and make sure I am in the vicinity or within sight of the spot before it gets dark.

On places I fish often after dark, I also mark trails and places to safely ford the stream with reflective "fire tacks." Those puppies have saved my a$$ more than a few times in the dark in the middle of nowhere...

Besides the obvious safety implications, IF all fishin' partners would adhere to the "identify your exit while it is still light" discipline, you wouldn't have to sit around waiting forever for some doofus who got lost or had a longer, tougher hike off the creek than you... 😡

I guess that's another reason I like to fish alone... 😎

 

[Shawn Joseph]

I like to fish with nothing but my wading boots on… so yeah, I’m obviously going by myself.

 

[KeviR]

I have been fishing more from a driftboat the last few years, which often means you are fishing and taking turns with one or even two other guys. Sure we stop in wadeable spots from time to time, but there is plenty of time sharing opportunities in the boat. I have found that I really enjoy "guiding" as the rower. I enjoy fishing more, but rowing is not a burden. I have found that working together with the fisher to target seams, maintain castable distances and angles, etc. is rewarding in its own right. And I frequently narrate my plan so they know what I'm planning to do as we approach a new stretch. I find that I'm generally looking further down river than they are and I can zero them in on risers I've seen, or just guide them to hit a particular seam as we approach. And it's a gas when the plan works out and they get into a big fish that I targeted. It's almost as good as if I caught it. I have a few great memories with my most frequent fishing buddy where I pointed him to a spot and BOOM- fish on, right where I said. Very satisfying.
With that said, I also love fishing completely by myself, either in a boat or hiking into some remote spot.

 

[decieversteve]

In Pennsylvania's freshwater streams, I prefer to fish alone.

However, when fishing saltwater, whether on the beach or in a boat, I prefer to have at least one fishing buddy rather close. Especially at night.

The original post mentioned golfing with a foursome. Yes, this is fun. However, golfing solo can also be rewarding if the course isn't crowded. Typically, you play against the course (par) rather than another person.

 

[GoldFinch]

I lost my dad this year. He was my fishing partner my entire life. I still go out and fish without him, I actually fish more now than we ever did when he was alive. It can both be really nice and really suck to be out fishing alone sometimes. I prefer to fish in a pair, splitting up holes and runs, alternating who goes first, all the other options that have been discussed. There are some things that it's either hard or impossible to plan for when going solo. I am particular about who I take with me when I go fishing and would rather go solo than with someone that doesn't gel with me.