I was recently listening to a Tackle Talk Podcast episode and someone in the Mail Bag section asked: how do you find new people to fish with? That question reminded me of how I got to meet on my best friends. His name is Matt Cavanaugh, and I am a better person and angler because of him. Now a former collegiate angler and a rod builder, Matt, Erik, and I have been friends going on ten years now.
The story goes, a group of us, Erik, our friends Robby and Jake, and I were going to the grand opening of a Gander Mountain. Yes it was Gander Mountain at the time and not Gander Outdoors like it is now. Dean Rojas and a couple other pro anglers attended the opening to sign autographs and shoot promos. That's when we met Matt for the first time. No one thought anything of it and no numbers were exchanged. He was someone who was just, there. The second time we met Matt Des Peres Park here in Saint Louis. We were both fishing for bass and Matt came over and asked what we were using. The conversation seemed to flow from there, The friendship continued to grow after we exchanged numbers.. Now we've caught hundreds of bass together. Matt, despite not being a groomsman in Erik's wedding, even got to attend the bachelor party down in New Orleans.
Now back to the original question: what is the best way to meet people to fish with? There are several places that come to mind when I think of places to meet like-minded people: tackle shops and at the lake. Boat ramps and Bass Pros alike are both going to have fishermen. It may take some courage if you're introverted like me, but asking someone what they're buying or what they are using is a great conversation starter. Usually conversations spiral on from there. They should end with, "Hey, you seem cool, we should fish together sometime." Lots of times these are other people who are also looking for fishing buddies as well. You might even get access to some private waters you didn't have access to before.
Obviously look for people who are similar in age to you. They will make the best partners and relationships. I can also say that all of my fishing buddies have become lifelong friends. It's these people I have the the best memories with.
Moral of the story, go where fisherman are, and don't be afraid to talk to other people. Fishing does a great job of bringing people together. Don't let your shyness keep you from building a lifelong friendship.
As always, Love the Adventure
- Paul Hoffman