From time to time I like fishing alongside a friend. Being in the woods and on the water is often pursued for the purpose of solitude. But there are plenty of reasons for being within earshot of another human being that you happen to know.
Yes, you get camaraderie and all of the good things that accompany shared angling experiences. There are also reasons why you might want to not be alone, even if you want to be alone. You can also problem solve with twice the efficiency. Pragmatism might not be your first reason for fly fishing with a companion, but it should be something you capitalize on.
At the simplest level it looks like this: “How about you fish a dry and I fish a nymph?”
An arrangement like that allows a team of people to ascertain what fish are interested in eating. If angler A has more success than angler B, B can snip off his fly and follow A’s lead. With even the most rudimentary and limited communication an incredible amount of information can be relayed. The trial and error of depth, color, and speed can be accomplished twice as quickly.
Accountability is another benefit. I’ve been ribbed for fishing the same flies over and over again. I’ve called friends out for impatience. I’m often told I move too quickly. I’ll yell “mend” if a mend needs to be made. There’s a fine line between being helpful and being obnoxious, but constructive criticism should always be palatable. You can’t see yourself fish. Even if you could, you’d have rose-colored glasses and make up excuses. Another set of eyes might help you iron out your poor technique or your lack of patience.
Notice that both of these examples necessitate communication. Your preference might be to say “good luck” and go wade off in different directions. Working together means fishing together. It doesn’t mean casting within a rod’s-distance of each other. Conversely, you shouldn’t be out of earshot. Or, if you have the means, walkie-talkie shot. Fishing together and fishing parallel with one another are two completely different things. Fishing together isn’t holding hands or having a day-long conversation. It is bits and pieces of intelligence shared regularly in order to foster a two better experiences.
As simple and hokey as it sounds, communication is the key to good communication. Articulating a plan establishes the angler A/B scheme outlined above. Asking for feedback greases the skids for giving and receiving criticism. Even planning to check in at certain intervals just helps everyone to get onto the same page. Talk about talking. It is only awkward if you make it awkward.
Fishing together isn’t for everyone. Even for those who fish together, other people who “fish together” might not be a great fit. Just like in all other spheres of life, there is a chemistry factor that can’t be overlooked. But that should be embraced. Although using a friend for the pragmatic purpose of hooking into more fish is fine, getting to know someone who is a little (or a lot) different from you is an excellent auxiliary benefit.