Uncategorized
Angling companions: Choose wisely
Published
7 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Patrick Straub EBS Fishing Columnist
In my 20s, I spent a lot of time fishing alone. From long day hikes to the meadows of Slough Creek to late nights fishing mouse patterns on the East Gallatin after the band at the Filling Station ceased playing, very few anglers could match my frantic fishing pace. Anytime I wasn’t working to make money to spend on fishing, I was wetting a line in our local waters.
As I reached my 30s, fishing became more social. Logging 130-plus days a year as fishing guide forced that hand a little, but I enjoyed a boat full of friends and beer more than the solitude of heading off on foot. Now that I’m in my 40s, having my wife and two kids with me in the boat is as good as it gets. When I do choose to fish with others, I choose wisely.
We can all use more friends, but choosing the best angling partner can involve a little trial-and-error. Here’s some insight for both you and your angling friend.
Similar angling interests. You obviously share a love of fly fishing. Be sure to choose an angling companion who shares a complimentary passion—chucking streamers, technical dry-fly fishing, hiking miles into remote waters to catch a native Grayling, into the carp game, and so forth. If you’re polar opposites, it will be tough to maintain the angling friendship. While fishing together you certainly fish differently, as it’s OK for one of you to deep nymph with a worm or an egg and the other to prospect with dry flies.
Not identical interests. Similar interests are one thing, but identical interests can be cause for trouble. If you both only enjoy fishing size 10 dry flies on secluded waters, you might be vying for the same hole every time you fish. I enjoy fishing with others who have a slightly different take on the best ways to catch fish. It allows me to learn from them, and if what they’re doing isn’t working, it’s a feather in my cap that I’m doing something right.Don’t choose a cheapskate. A day of fishing usually entails burning some gas to get to a river. There might also be a sack lunch during the day or après fishing cocktails or dinner. Choose a companion who offers to drive every now and then. One who doesn’t flinch at buying a round when you catch a 2-footer. And, always look in the mirror—make sure you’re the guy driving some and buying some. This also applies if you have a friend with a boat. If you can row, row your fair share. If you cannot row and you’re fishing in your friend’s boat, you better learn to row if you want to be invited back.
Secrets are for loners. A surefire way to always fish alone is to catch fish but never be willing to share the love. I’m a firm believer in fishing karma and sharing information is a foundation of good fishing karma. If your angling companion is one worth keeping and you’re always catching and they are not, share the good news. Tell them what fly they’re biting on…but also let them self discover; you don’t always have to tell them what size tippet you are using and exactly where to place the fly.
A dog also counts as a fishing companion. Most of our fly fishing, at its core, is an experience between an angler, a river and the hope a fish will rise. Bringing your dog on a fishing trip with other anglers is not always the best idea, but an angling session with just you and your dog is often ideal. A dog will never comment on your back cast, is always happy to go fishing, and will most likely fall asleep on the way home.
With a family and two businesses, finding personal time to fish—where it’s just me, the river and the flies I choose to tie on—is hard-fought time to come by. I’m lucky because I can fish anytime I want. I’m unlucky because I’m too choosy about fishing companions but I’ve also had well over half my life to find out what I like and whom I want to enjoy it with.
Pat Straub is the co-founder of the Montana Fishing Guide School and the author of six books, including “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing.” He and his wife own Gallatin River Guides in Big Sky and he co-owns Montana Fishing Outfitters.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour
Event Details
Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour of the studio, meet our instructors, and meet other artists of all levels in our community. We’ll be getting creative and you’ll have the chance to make your very own artful button pin.
Stick around for our Volunteer Appreciation and Social beginning at 6:30 p.m.!
Time
(Thursday) 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location
BASE
285 Simkins Dr