Club Pros and Cons

Camo Clad Warrior

Camo Clad Warrior

Smolt
Good Day All,

I understand this may be a bit of a polarizing topic as a lot of fisherman don't care to interact in a fishing Club setting. There seems to be a lot of great clubs in the state and near me( I live in Skagit valley). I am at a place in my life in which i could use a few more fishing partners, and conversation with like minded fisherman. This has me thinking about dedicating some time and joining a fly fishing club. I have a particular one in mind near me but that is not important.

What would you guys say are the pros and cons of joining a fishing club?

I would also be interested in some first hand experiences from you all, of course leaving club names, and individuals out.

Thanks CCW
 
I belong to a local club and it's basically because I have 0 local fishing friends.

I have one buddy that I fish with but he lives 3 hours away. I almost exclusively fish alone and none of my friends or family fishes (except my 4yr old but thats a different story).

We have monthly meetings where theres usually a presenter. I get to learn a little bit, and actually get to talk about fishing without my wife or friends eyes rolling into the back of their head (granted, Im easily the youngest member by 15-20 years).

We have monthly fish alongs but I tend to only make those in the fall and winter because I'm usually out backpacking/camping/fishing on my own the rest of the year.

That's pretty much thats all that is expected for you, its not much of a commitment.
 
mcswny said:
I belong to a local club and it's basically because I have 0 local fishing friends.

I have one buddy that I fish with but he lives 3 hours away. I almost exclusively fish alone and none of my friends or family fishes (except my 4yr old but thats a different story).

We have monthly meetings where theres usually a presenter. I get to learn a little bit, and actually get to talk about fishing without my wife or friends eyes rolling into the back of their head (granted, Im easily the youngest member by 15-20 years).

We have monthly fish alongs but I tend to only make those in the fall and winter because I'm usually out backpacking/camping/fishing on my own the rest of the year.

That's pretty much thats all that is expected for you, its not much of a commitment.
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Thanks for the reply. This is what I had hoped to. I attended a monthly meeting at the club that interests me the most years ago and enjoyed the dinner, and speaker greatly. may be worth the small time investment to be a part.
 
I spoke last evening at the Fidalgo Fly Fishing Club which merys at the Farmhouse on Hwy 20. Pretty raucous group of men and women (possibly because they meet at an Irish pub). They had me tie some of my poppers which was a first for me in all these years. There are some good tiers in this club. I have always believed in clubs especially if you want to tie flies or learn/improve your casting. It’s one on one and infinitely better than trying to learn online.
Leland
 
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Clubs. I'm a joiner, I guess. I belong to at least 4 angling organizatons, and I'm active in 1.

I enjoy it, it's kind of more of a social organization bound by our love of fly angling, fly tying, and the general outdoors.

We've monthly meetings, with dinner and a speaker. We're recovering from the Covid-time, zoom meetings didn't work very well. The in person meetings are more what the club is about. We do dinner and drinks, and a speaker. I don't know how sustainable that business model is. Kind of spendy, and kind of an anachronism in these days of youtube. See, for example "Bowling Alone".

By virtue of some of the membership being truly influential sportsmen, we're attracting some new younger members, which is good. The club members put together small groups for some truly epic trips, I went on one to BC this spring which was a gas. Though I was the youngest on the trip.

In general, I recommend it, at the very least your annual dues alone support (usually) some local enhancements to angling facilities, or some local watershed improvements which help fish, too. We do everything from signage to benches to launch site repairs to hatchery fin clipping, as well as staffing and assisting on local youth free fishing programs. WDFW would have a hell of a time doing what they do if they didn't have volunteers, mostly sourced from local clubs.
 
I was in a club, in my home country. There was limited fishing opportunities in the area and zero publicly available infotmation. The club was a great source of knowledge and also gave me an outlet for my hobby, when actually going fishing meant driving for hours/days at a time.

Since moving to the PNW, neither of those issues have applied; info is easy to find and there is water everywhere. I would rather go fishing than hang out in a club.

That said, I have zero fishing friends. I've tried to convert a few friends, but they usually only go once or twice. Maybe I make it too easy; I make sure they all catch fish and have a good experience. Having to put in work, for my first fish, definitely made me more invested. Anyway, that's the only thing that would motivate me to join a club. However, I feel like the probability of meeting someone that I actually want to hang out with is too low to bother; millennial nerds don't really go outside, let alone interact with humans.
 
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I've been to most of the ones in WA, each has its own vibe and demographic but they're all good. 4th corner comes to mind since Whatcom is in striking distance - that's probably one of the more diverse groups in terms of age and other factors. Plus they have one of the better turnouts.

At any rate, you can just show up and sit in at any club's meetings to feel it out. They're all friendly.
 
I joined a club and quickly realized at this time in my life I need fishing to "get away" and I fish alone as much as possible. People would paddle over to me or walk up to me on the stream and start talking, because we met at the club. As I am working less and don't have people in my face 10 hours a day...I am more inclined to join a club and even thought about going to a meeting.

Based on your comment I think you would like a club...I'm still a few years away.
 
Tim Lockhart said:
I've been to most of the ones in WA, each has its own vibe and demographic but they're all good. 4th corner comes to mind since Whatcom is in striking distance - that's probably one of the more diverse groups in terms of age and other factors. Plus they have one of the better turnouts.

At any rate, you can just show up and sit in at any club's meetings to feel it out. They're all friendly.
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Thanks for the feedback. I didn't want to mention any clubs just to not open a can of worms, however since you did :). The meeting I mentioned that I attended above was a 4th corner meeting, and you happened to be the speaker. Big fan and have read the book a few times over since then.

I was thinking about joining their club.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.
 
mcswny said:
I belong to a local club and it's basically because I have 0 local fishing friends.

I have one buddy that I fish with but he lives 3 hours away. I almost exclusively fish alone and none of my friends or family fishes (except my 4yr old but thats a different story).

We have monthly meetings where theres usually a presenter. I get to learn a little bit, and actually get to talk about fishing without my wife or friends eyes rolling into the back of their head (granted, Im easily the youngest member by 15-20 years).

We have monthly fish alongs but I tend to only make those in the fall and winter because I'm usually out backpacking/camping/fishing on my own the rest of the year.

That's pretty much thats all that is expected for you, its not much of a commitment.
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Is this the oregon bass and panfish club?
 
A practice that alot of forum members here used to do on the forum is a simple "open seat vacancy" threads, "new and headed to the skykomish if anyone wants to join" type threads. Its how pretty much all my friends started. Also dont be shy, private message those that you think you would get along with and offer your interest.
I think the idea of a fishing club is pretty cool but if you want social time with some buds AND fishing at the same time, this forum can be a very powerful tool.

Goodluck sir!
 
I used to be a member of Fidalgo Fly Fishers. It has been a number of years since I was a member but I figure it is still much the same now as then. Good group. The meetings were fun and informative. I would suggest them for anyone wanting to meet other fly fishers, to increase their overall knowledge of the sport, learn more about fishing the local area and far away places. There were many members that traveled to fish and shared their experiences with the club.
 
Was a member once. Wasn’t a fan myself.
I don’t need others to go fishing with, don’t like big group outings and hate meetings (same for work).
I have friends who are members that enjoy it.
When I retire I’ll have more time so I plan to volunteer more on projects and programs I enjoy and support rather then joining a club again.
SF
 
I have had a few fishing buddies in my life and always enjoy meeting new fishers.
I'm not a join the club kinda guy, I like to fish alone.
I want all the water to myself.
I get a little upset when I find others boot tracks in some of my favorite little blue lines.
I am a "Trout Unlimited" member and I support dam removal and other conservation issues.
 
mcswny said:
I belong to a local club and it's basically because I have 0 local fishing friends.

I have one buddy that I fish with but he lives 3 hours away. I almost exclusively fish alone and none of my friends or family fishes (except my 4yr old but thats a different story).

We have monthly meetings where theres usually a presenter. I get to learn a little bit, and actually get to talk about fishing without my wife or friends eyes rolling into the back of their head (granted, Im easily the youngest member by 15-20 years).

We have monthly fish alongs but I tend to only make those in the fall and winter because I'm usually out backpacking/camping/fishing on my own the rest of the year.

That's pretty much thats all that is expected for you, its not much of a commitment.
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You and me, we need to go fishing some time then.
 
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