Rich Uncle or a Monkeys Uncle?

FAOL Community Sound Off
1

B^)

At what point do some guys start believing that their time on the water should be subsidized by their fishing companions?
How much bologna have you put up with, or been pitched by other anglers?

Have you traveled with the type of guys that always seem to have a bladder control problem when you pull up at the pump. Vowing they’ll get the next tank, but never seem too?

Are you the one that always plans the fishing excursions and does all of the research and leg work for your partner(s)?
Is that because you’re all knowing or have the inside track?
Or is it because, if you didn’t take the reins, that horse would never leave the stable?

Have you ever taken a week long trip with someone who proclaimed that they’ve been tying flies for fifteen years. Yet when you arrive at your destination and you get a glimpse at their “fly box”, singular. They have all of two flies to show for each of the fifteen years they’ve been tying. None of which are remotely useful for that piece of water.
Ah’ but you’re a good Joe and you’ve got a few to spare…on every trip.

Maybe it’s this New Math that I heard so much about some years back, but when did half of a thirty two dollar tab become six bucks and a brisk walk to the restroom?

Have you ever traveled with a guy who in three years of trips, never once offered you or anyone else, so much as a can of soda?

You’ve been at the wheel for the past three hours, everyone in the vehicle knows there is a toll bridge coming up. At the last moment, the voices in the vehicle fall suddenly silent and you find yourself wrestling with both your seat belt and hip pocket to come up with a buck for the toll taker. All the time, the guy next to you gazes out his side window at the water.
Or even better, as you approach the toll booth, four grown men all go grabbing for their bill folds as if it’s a race to see who can come up with a buck first. Yet somehow, it’s the only guy in the car who happens to have his hands full at the moment ( the driver ) who happens to come up with money…
Of course this exercise in deception is always followed with the words " Next time, let me get it. "

Have you ever pulled up in front of a new fishing acquaintances house to pick him up, to find his wife standing in the doorway, literally screaming at the top her lungs. That, if he goes off fishing, he better not try to come home. This while throwing his gear out onto the lawn?
Talk about your quiet drives to the river…

Why is it some guys simply can’t bring themselves to say these words. " I can’t go ".
Instead, they’ll jack you around for weeks about what day they can leave, which may or may not ever come.
Or they’ll wait ( I guess, fearing an altercation ) until the last possible moment to spring the trip on their spouse.

What about that week long trip you’ve planned, tied, equipped yourself and saved for all year.
There you are on the morning of day one, you’re rigging up and the other guys whips out his reel with what looks to be a dusky, heavily scuffed and frizzled remnant of what once might have been a leader.
So you ask: What length and X value is that Joe?
He replies: I don’t know, it’s whatever was on it the last time I was here ( four years ago ). Then he sheepishly looks your way and says: I don’t think I’ve got another leader, what do you think I should use?

When you hit the road with other anglers, is it always in your vehicle or do you split up the wear and tear between your partners vehicles and yours?

When it comes time to book lodging or reserve a camp space, is it always you that makes the reservations, with your credit card?
Do you get fully reimbursed for their portion of those expenses or merely some portion of their share?

How about a guy who can’t swim at all, that has bought himself a top of line float tube, pontoon boat, fins, waders, etc, but always needs to borrow a life vest?

Do you know the type of guy who needs reminding in the beginning of the year to get his new fishing license? Who tells you, he has. Only to find out when you get to the water, that he did go out and buy a license, last year.

You’ve traveled on " your own coin " for years. In doing so you’ve finally accumulated sufficient airline miles and hotel points to warrant a " free" round trip and a weeks lodging.
While making plans for a group fishing trip, it’s pointedly suggested to you by another group member, that since you have comp’s that you can use, you should split the cost of the other guys airfares and rooms.

Since I’m not rich, that leaves a Monkeys Uncle.

I’m told that expressing ones frustrations can be cathartic, so please feel free to add your own experiences to the list.

Dave

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2

Wow, I think I would find new friends. I dont have these problems but then I fish localy and dont make long trips.

Good luck with this

Eric

3

The answer to these “types”, is very easy and obvious…ONCE!
Over the years, I’ve probably met and fished with, all of the types you listed, Dave. And, like I said in the beginning, “I’ve fished with them, ONCE” and that was it.
Fishing time is too precious, to have trips ruined with these types of clowns, I’d rather go alone.

4

Frustrations huh? I have plenty of aggression stored up right now, so why not? It’s a different experience, but it is an experience.

Have you ever paid for a service that was served in a half-a** manner? Have you worked hard to pay for this service only to find that it isn’t worth no where near what you paid for it? Have you spent so much time and money in this service only to find that it is doing you very little good whatsoever?

Have you sat in a classroom to actually learn something only to hear that your teacher isn’t showing up for the fifth time? Have you had a teacher come in extremely late with blood-shot eyes smelling of alcohol? Have you had a COLLEGE teacher treat you like you were a high schooler by threatening you with failing grades the first night if he doesn’t get his way? Have you had another teacher tell you and the rest of your classmates that you are all idiots and don’t know how to learn?

Have you ever traveled to a campus 80 miles away for a required class that actually goes for a half-semester only to find that your instructor isn’t showing up? In that same class, were the computers taken away at the last moment so you couldn’t finish any of the lab work assignments?

Have you had a teacher read straight from the book for his lectures? Not just once, but during every class…

Columbia State Community College is where I have been going since 2005. Fall 07 was my last semester there not because I graduated, but because I haven’t got my tuition fully paid yet. During my time at this school I have experienced all of this and more. I don’t care who knows what school I’m going to right now, because I really want to ruin this school’s reputation. It isn’t a college, it’s a money making scheme and half of the instructors there are just drawing paychecks…

Well… I don’t feel any better… As a matter of fact, I think my blood pressure just went up… D’oh!!!

5

Like stated previously, you may need to find a new buddy to roll with or go alone!.. I do find myself planning almost all of the outings that my friends come with me on, but I would rather have it organized and dialed in (when, where, set-up, camping, maps, flies) so everyone can relax, have fun, and hopefully get into some fish. I require my buddies to have their own gear, split booze and gas…I am always upfront about giving a ball park figure on the individual costs before we even leave town. I think my fishing buddies realize that when I take the time to set something up they know they are in for a great time, thus I have never had an issue getting them to pony up the cash. I dont mind providing flies, in fact really enjoy having them catch fish on my home grown ties. Life is definitely to short not to enjoy your outings, and I really have a great time sharing it with friends!

6

Dave,

Sounds like I am blessed with great companions. I always organize the long haul trips, sometimes involving traveling across 4 or 5 states to fish 3 or 4 different rivers. My groups range from 5 to 12 people. I do this once or twice a year.

I always let people know what the cost is prior to them signing on. That includes a guess as to the gas costs. I give them the figures for the guide fees and motel rooms.

We start with a kitty, everyone knows they have to put $100 cash --well, maybe this year it will be more-- when we first start off and all fuel expenses come from that. If we use it all up, then everyone kicks in more, but evenly.

I do reserve all the hotel rooms, if I didn’t we would have a mess at many of the places. However, I do not pay for all of the rooms. At the start of the trip everyone knows who his or her bunk partner is for the trip and it is up to them to split the costs of their room.

All costs of food is on each person, eat as much as you want, you are paying for it.

I remind people that each person needs enough cash on hand to give a decent tip to each guide for each day on the river.

When we first arrive in Montana, I make sure we stop at the Clark Fork Trout & Tackle shop in St. Regis and buy our fishing licenses. I also point out to everyone that now is the time to buy any needed fishing supplies, like flies, leaders, split shot, strike indicators, etc.

I let people know what time we will be gathering in the morning to meet with the guides and then suggest a time to meet for breakfast.

I don’t mind doing all this and I don’t mind having to act as a referee sometimes when tempers may flair between two people, but that hardly ever happens. We are all going on a rather expensive trip for the purpose of having fun, catching fish and enjoying the company of everyone else in the group.

As was pointed out, JUST ONCE. Yep, if we end up with a person who does not blend in well with the rest of the group, then that person simply is never asked again to go on a trip.

So far, I guess we have all been lucky because we have all had a great time.

Larry :smiley: —sagefisher—

7

My fishing partner and I have traveled and fished together since the mid 70’s
I make the plans, the campground reservations, and pay for the campsite
We split the food. I do breakfasts, he does lunches, we split the dinners.
Most years we’d take who evers car was running best.:rolleyes:
He pays for the bulk of the gas
It’s worked for over 30 years
We’re off on another trip next week :smiley:

8

i had 2 fishing partners (15+ years) but after being screwed over by them about a fishing trip to the bighorn river in montana, i now value the benefits of fishing alone. i go when and where i want.

9

I’m a good planner/organizer, so I don’t mind planning and organizing the fishing trips I take with friends. If you don’t pay your portion or are not prepared properly, or do foolish things that grownups should not do, don’t plan on traveling with me again. All the begging in the world will not get you a return trip with me. I’m not your mother, wife, girlfriend or other caretaker, so don’t think I’ll put up with the crap that they do when traveling.

So, if you plan on traveling, camping, or fishing with me, you’ll know up front what the expectations are. Needless to say, I only travel repeatedly with a handful of friends who are tried & true and pull their weight. Also, when invited to go with someone else, I treat my host with the same respect and support that I expect, and go out of my way to give 110%.

Joe

10

I tried to ‘con’ my best friend on a steelhead trip into doing all of the cooking at the cabin I had reserved for us on the Pere Marquette river in Michigan if I wouls see that the dishes were taken care of. He agreed so I confessed that I understood there was maid service, we didn’t have to do our dishes. He sputtered but accepted the duties. That same first day they informed us as it was a holiday; no maid service! That evening for dinner he added a ‘tossed salad’. He ‘tossed’ it from every bowl in the cupboard to the next. Used every bowl in the place. Never got my hands so clean. :slight_smile:

11

LOL, it goes to prove that what goes around, comes around. Funny how ‘scheming’ always seems to bite us in the backside.

12

PRICELESS, JC!! Thank you, I needed the huge laugh, today!
But, question…“Don’t you have “special magnetic signs on your car”, that PREVENT you being treated so harshly by peons?”

13

JC,
Your lucky that there is a % of the population that doesn’t have a sense of humor, that takes everything literally. Those folks actually think you ARE the “Grand Poobah” of some Lodge somewhere. They might even pause or stand at attention, when you drive by. :smiley:
Doug

14

Ahaaa JC,
“Tis a fun to laugh but devine to laugh last”

Mark
PS: That’ll learn ya.

15

I have been called anti-social on more than one occaision. That is simply not the case. I just love to avoid all the horror stories that I have read about here on this thread. Many of the poor manners (and thats all it really is ) have been shown to me over the years.
Im not scared to go cam[ing and fishing alone. The night doesnt scare me any more ,I’m all grown up and the bottle streches a lot further when theres only one tapping into it.
Still in all there is a lot to be said for reliable cohorts.
When I find one Ill invite 'em along.

16

Yes, I have.

17

I am very lucky. The people I fish with (just 2) and family members are all very good about paying their way. Last time we all fished together I causght all the fish and did not pay for a thing. Felt really bad about that but they would not take any money back. Course these are the same two gentlemen that if require would lay down their own lifes for one of ours.

18

I guess I’m also in the lucky crowd because I have a big mouth, big attachments and friends who understand my Mediterranean sense of reciprocity.

In other words, you give back to those who give to you REGARDLESS of the amount you have to offer. Simply put a steak dinner can be repaid with a cheese sammich if that’s all you can afford but free rides are not in my rule book more than twice! Those that are always on the receiving end with nothing to offer are shortly told MY rules and there after cut-off if they don’t get it. I rather fish alone than with a bunch of ungrateful cheapskates.

I organize all of my group trips with an upfront cash expenditure on my part because it is the simplest way to get things done. I really don’t mind the hassle or initial expense but we split the cost of everything and I urge my gang to submit every item that is shared so no feelings are hurt. We typically use one vehicle for travel to and from fishing spots and we pay the driver mileage at the current IRS rate and pay him 100% of any incidental expenses to compensate him for being our chauffeur. We also split the chores and responsibilities which also is part and parcel of my world.

I NEVER go to dinner at someone else’s home and NOT bring bottles of wine or some other offering. If that same person comes to my home empty handed; I ain’t goin’ fishin’ with them!

…it’s just the way my father taught me it should be.

19

I often used to take people out in my boat a 30 foot Campion. It was equipped with 6 berths a full galley and a stand up head. On cold days I could throw on the heat and be warm as toast. My cousin described it as being like fishing from your living room.

I always told guests that they needed to bring nothing to eat except their favorite soda pop. In fact I made a point of telling them not to bring their own gear except their own personal life jacket because it would just get in the way. For lunch we’d always have barbecued Kokanee or trout, fresh caught if we had been really lucky we would have a Burbot fillet on the grill. For the odd person who didn’t like to eat fish I would bring a steak or pork chops. The guest runs the bbq while I work on a nice risotto in the galley . A tossed salad and its perfect. I would run a small cage with 6 soda cans in it on the down a downrigger line for 4 minutes. Then bring it up icy cold.
After one memorable incident I made it a No alcohol on my boat ever rule!
No keeping over your limit. And never, ever, under any circumstances touch my line or net my fish for me. I would make it perfectly clear before we left the dock.
I always told them that It took $10 bucks in gas to run the boat for a day on the water. ( I would leave the dock on the kicker and very seldom ever even turned the main motor on ) Their half of the gas is $5.00. I always made it clear what time I planned to leave the dock and how long we’d be out. I always said, If you are late you need to find another ride.

People would show up drunk with a bottle of hooch in their hand.
They would have no life jacket.
They would have a ton of gear with them.
They almost always had a lunch with them.
They would show up late.
They would complain that they had expected a boat ride up the lake ( 90 miles long ) but all we did was either troll or anchor and fish.
They would want to go home after and hour or so on an all day fishing trip or announce that they had an appointment in town so we should go ashore. Man I hate that.
They would insist that we use their method of fishing even tho I would explain that it wouldn’t work.
Don’t bring your Kid because He/She is a brat. ( Predetermined )

For the above problems I had simple solutions, show up late or drunk with or without the bottle and you stayed ashore. No exceptions. Bring the brat. Same thing. You and brat can fish from the dock. I’ll be back in 4 hours or so.

Show up with all manner of gear and you put it back in the trunk of your car. Show up with a simple lunch and I would take it off you and place it in the fridge at the marina for you to pick up on your way home. No life jacket, well I did have a few but it one of mine didn’t fit you properly, you could buy one at the marina for around $15.00 or stay ashore.

Didn’t like the boat ride. Trip wasn’t up to your standards as the sightseeing trip of a lifetime? These guys I’d give a marina pamphlet outlining exactly how much the trip they had just gotten for $5.00 gas money would actually rent out for. It was approximately $60.00 per hour for rental of a smaller 16ft boat. This always shut them up.

Don’t get me wrong, I took lots of kids out fishing, most had a good time and would ask to go again. But I didn’t tolerate a Brat. More than once I put back in to unload the offending Child and Parent. Twice I put ashore to drop off someone who had omitted to buy a fishing license. Once I caught a fellow nipping from a flask and by then was quite tipsy. Him I put ashore at Sunoka beach 10 miles from the dock. I phoned his wife to come pick him up.
Smoking only on the aft open deck. Surprisingly this rule was never broken, I guess smokers are used to rules.

My rule on the boat was, only two lines trolling at a time. Outriggers And planer boards are not allowed by law. Three or more lines often resulted in many tangles, hence the two rods only rule.

We worked on a rotational system each person taking his or her turn in line at the next fish hooked. Guests were always first in line for a fish. Kids had priority.

I don’t like a lot of rules but on a boat you have to have some or you can get in a lot of trouble in a short amount of time.
Most of the people I took out over a 30 year span did everything right and we had a wonderful time.

5% were idiots who never went again.

Probably 2% were so darn boring I just never asked them again.
Lots of wives who went along for the ride never asked to go again but their husbands did. I’d put that number at over 50%
5% didn’t pony up the $5.00 They never came again and were given the reason why if they ever asked. I did not accept retroactive payments.
Another 5-10% or so got seasick and were never asked nor did they want to come again.

The three stages of sea sick are:

  1. You think your going to die.
  2. You hope your going to die.
  3. Your desperately afraid your not going to die.

The only cure for seasickness is to stand on dry land.

My wife came out almost every time I went. She is a good sailor and a better fisherperson than I.
I am a better captain of the boat than She.

It was usually her vote that banned you from our boat.

One idiot actually thought he could order Her, a mere woman around.
It was the late 60s and women were still treated as not quite equal. ( The guy by any standards was a real male chauvinist pig ) I cruised within 10 feet of the beach and She tossed him bodily off the boat for the 3 mile walk home. That is still the highlight of my sailing career watching that fellows splash-down.
He had the most astonished look on his face as he flew over the rail. Her “Hasta la vista baby” added to the hilarity of the situation. :mrgreen:

All I could manage to squeak out was " You can keep the life jacket"
He gave me the finger.:stuck_out_tongue: Made my day.

20

Gnu Bee, My Friend, I like your style. Our compliments to your wife, wish we could have seen the look on the guys face.