The scene:

First light on a PRIMO run fishing winter steelhead. Seclusion and it's only me and my partner. We KNOW the fish are there. We get out of the truck to pull waders on, eyeballing each other the whole time to see who would be ready first and thus, get first crack at the water. You've all been there and know the drill. You want to come across as gracious but you also want to be first to cast.

On this morning, I play it casual and offer to let my partner start first. He doesn't hesitate and upon making his first cast, watches his entire rig part ways with the mainline and go sailing into the trees. I say "bummer!" and cast, hooking a fish right away. He was displeased to say the least. Amazing what a carefully constructed nick in the mainline can do to an overzealous partner. After laughing for an appropriate amount of time, I clued him in and made sure he was given time to even the score with the next fish. We both limited so no harm done.

Now, I always see him running his fingers on his mainline before we start.........priceless.