BY SCOTT HADDOW
There is a lot to be said about fishing buddies. Good and bad.
We all have those core friends we get out the most with year after year to try and bend a few rods.
We fish with them for one reason - they are amazing. Every single last angling partner is unique and a treasure to enjoy.
These people provide everything from comedic relief to support to the odd sandwich. They are with you, in a boat, on shore, on the ice or wading, to the end. You can count on these people to make you laugh and curse. Sometimes at the same time.
Yes, fishing solo is quite thrilling. There is no comparison to fishing with buddies. At the least, you have someone to get skunked with when the fish just will not go your way.
It can almost be like work. In the sense of you go to work for the people. In fishing, you go because of the people. I feel this way strongly. When I know I am going fishing, it is undeniable - I will make casts, troll, jig, do whatever it takes to try and get a hook up.
Who I go with completely alters the experience surrounding the actual fishing.
I have some buddies who are nuts to go into backcountry lakes by punching our way through portages and over beaver dams. A different breed of fishing friend all together. These are the type of pals who you can trust to get you out of a bad spot from way deep in the bush because you can do the same for them.
I have friends who love to focus on walleye and others who put their sights on trout or bass. I have others who pride themselves on going low-key and on a minimal budget, while some enjoy a few more lavish trips from time-to-time. I have some friends who are older or same age or younger than me I go with. (Fishing is awesome that way in how it crosses over generational gaps.)
For me, it doesn’t matter who I go fishing with. I love being out there.
Even though they are different, most