Solo fishing

[JayB]

I've fished solo most of my fly fishing career, excluding all of the floating of the Sky and OP rivers, plus the Yakima of course. I carry the 10 essentials, plus cigars and whiskey, with at least 2 cigar lighters! A pdf is always with me now, and a small first aid kit in the car, that i will carry with me when I get a bigger waterproof sling pack!

I do now, at 59, prefer to fish with at least one other person when timing works out. I have balance issues and some health issues that make it preferable. When I am alone, i don't wade aggressively, usually keep it no higher than my knees and always have a wading staff with me. I may get an Inreach device so that if i do go off grid I can reach someone. I use an android phone, so am not sure about the satellite capabilities of it compared to the iPhone. Might be a reason to switch, but I prefer not too at this point as I'm sure it will be available in the not to distant future, if it isn't already...

One advantage of the Garmin (and might turn into the only advantage once satellite capabilities become widespread on phones) is that if you find yourself in an emergency you just have to hit the SOS button to engage a global 24/7 emergency response center, and if you are a subscriber you can get $100K of rescue insurance for $40/year.

 

[Coach Potter]

I like to fish with friends, but more than anything, I like to fish. If I've decided to go, I'm going regardless. Same deal with hunting. I have been doing this since before I got a derivers license. I've never considered not going based on accompaniment. I read where some guys have set some self imposed safety measures and that's probably good idea. Everyone has their own comfort levels and ways of looking at things. I think those are personal choices.

I just do what I would want to do whether with a friend or not. I've been doing this for a long time and I'm very comfortable doing what I do. I'm still in my 50's and without any physical limitations but I'm not dumb...I know limitations will show up at some point. When I remember, I carry an inreach and have carried a gun from time to time but rarely. Do what makes you comfortable. I'm sure my drive to and from anywhere I go is the most dangerous thing I do on a regular basis.