Being a Better Freshwater Fishing Partner
Being a Better Freshwater Fishing Partner
When sharing a drift boat, experienced anglers know that they are part of a team made up of two anglers and the guide. Therefore, to ensure a safe, successful, and fun float everyone in the boat needs to be aware of what is going on around them.

Here are a few suggestions on how to be a good fishing partner when fishing from a drift boat on a river. Next time you are out fishing freshwater with a friend and/or guide try these tips with the goal of making yourself a better fishing partner.
  1. If you expect your guide to give you their full attention, afford your partner the same opportunity. If you are both fishing hard, don’t engage your guide (or your partner for that matter) in idle chit-chat. This will distract the guide and lessen his/her ability to concentrate. Let the guide find fish by focusing on setting the boat up for each stretch of water. If your partner wants to take a less hardcore approach that’s fine, chat away, but give your partner the opportunity to choose which way they want to fish.
  2. Pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs isn’t only for the benefit of the fish, it’s also for the health and safety of your partner and guide.
  3. Center-up on the seat. If you are not in the center of the boat, it makes it harder for the guide to row. If you want to stand and cast and/or search for rising fish, center up then as well. If it is very windy, ask the guide if it is okay to stand. It may be harder to row in a stiff wind with you standing. If the guide is working harder to row the boat, it may be more difficult for him/her to spot rising fish.
  4. If you get out of the boat to land a fish, use the bushes, or take a photograph make sure you clean your wading boots before re-boarding. If your guide is muttering about your muddy footprints, they won’t be focusing on finding you fish.
  5. Try not to confuse the guide’s instructions to your partner by adding your own. Yes, it’s exiting, but two sets of instructions may make it harder for your partner to decipher. If you know your partner is hard of hearing, make your relayed translation of the guide’s instructions concise.
  6. The angler in the back of the drift boat can see the angler in the front, but when you are in the front of the boat and focused on landing your cast in the perfect spot you cannot see the angler in the back of the boat. For this reason, the angler in the back of the boat is responsible for timing their cast so as not to interfere with the cast of the angler in the front of the boat. That said, when you are in the front of the boat and it is time to recast but the angler in the back is in mid-cast, give them the chance to get their fly on the water!
  7. In most situations the angler in the front of a drift boat has the best chances for picking up fish, before the back of the boat even gets to the ‘sweet spot’! In prolific waters both anglers should fish to slightly different spots in order to maximize hook-up opportunities. However, if you find yourself in the front of the boat with hook-up after hook-up consider switching places with your partner so that they have a chance to get first shot at the fish. You can also switch places at lunch time or, on multi-day trips, you may want to alternate days.
Most importantly, have fun, cheer each other on, make memories and enjoy your time together On The Water!

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