Fishing Companion, Will You Be Mine?
As bizarre as it may sound, not all significant others are as into fishing as you or me. When asked for dating advice, I always recommend letting them get to know the “real fishing you” early in the relationship.
I was fortunate because I met my wife on an electrofishing research project. I got to witness first hand her love of the water and fish. This does not necessarily translate to my same fanatical level of fishing with a rod and reel, but we have come to an understanding; she loves to accompany, even if just to read. A suggested wedding gift idea: his: a collection of lures, and hers: a novel and folding chair with a cup/rod holder. (Or vice versa!)
Still, not long ago I heard this question: “If I go fishing with you, will you sew with me?” Below was my response to consider, should you ever have to field a similar question.
“In a way, I already sew,” I began. “When I fish, I’m always trying to figure out a ‘pattern’ of fish behavior. If I am bass fishing, I might seek a weedy ‘patch.’ When fly-fishing I constantly have to ‘mend’ the line for the fly to drift convincingly. If I am fishing for catfish, I keep an eye on the float to make sure it is still ‘bobbin.’ And if I miss a fish, a ‘darn’ may even enter the conversation.”
Depending on your relationship, it may be wise to follow a response such as this with some chocolate covered strawberries, or you might have to keep warm in your ice fishing shanty.
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day has been known to cause friction in relationships. For example despite the name, it is not an excuse to go pike fishing at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Nebraska. However, a great Valentine’s Day gift is a gift of time together. Especially if that time can be outside, fishing.
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Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.