Choose your fishing partner wisely

When planning any fishing outing it is imperative to select your company with care. We all have fished with folks that we did not mesh with, and come away from those experiences with a little disdain. Fingernails on the chalkboard. A bad taste in your mouth that can only be washed out with vast amounts of cheap bourbon. Fishing with the correct companion can elevate the entire experience creating an environment of bliss. This decision needs to be taking very seriously, especially if you are fishing with a guide and scheduled to be trapped in close confines for the space of a week. Drift boats become suddenly smaller if your fishing compatibility level is near zero. Ask yourself these simple questions before embarking on a trip of a lifetime and therefore eliminating the chances of fly fishing hell.

• First and foremost; Do you enjoy their company outside of fishing? Are you good friends? Have you fished together before? Are you the type of person that loves to see your buddy hooked up and are the #1 back of the boat cheerleader? If you aren't, consider not choosing this individual.
• Will you let your buddy cast at the only large brown trout you find all day? Do you achieve equal enjoyment witnessing and participating in his successes?
• Are your fly fishing styles compatible? If you happen to be only interested in Head Hunting, but your fishing pal is a nymphing machine? Your worlds may and will collide.
• Is he an expert and constantly casting over you and to your fish? You are a beginner and don't have a competitive bone in your body? This may not work.
• He talks incessantly about a number of topics you could care less about. You are quiet, introspective, and fishing for you is a time to slow down, absorb the scenery around you, and the catch rate is secondary. Not the right mix.

These are but a few questions that you should ask your self before planning any destination trip. The main rule is to fish with people you like and enjoy. Bar none. We take fishing trips for a variety of reasons. A little soul searching will help you understand what you would like your vacation to achieve. Don't make the mistake of choosing the wrong partner. I have seen trips go south a few times and it can conjure up unnecessary tension as well as uncomfortable feelings for all involved. Just choose your fishing partner wisely and have a real bang up time!