I'm in the minority here. I don't think my wife should be allowed to fish. I guess by implication that means no (non-fishing or trainee, married) women should be taught to fish (with their husbands/ boyfriends). This is for the good of the marriage. Let me explain. My wife is a rank beginner. I am a fishing fanatic. My wife could be coaxed to fish only using the strongest arguments. I can easily imagine that we'll be on a steelhead stream and I'll hear one or more of the following lines (a) "I have a snarl or backlash . . . help me pick it out"; (b) "I'm snagged, help me get the lure back" or the dreaded (c) "I'm tired/ cold/ bored and want to go somewhere warm." (This last one cost me a girlfriend when I was 20. The bass were biting at dusk, and so were the skeeters. Beth was dressed for a beach or a bar, not fishing. Never saw her again.)

My response to each of these questions -- then and now -- would be a growl and a "Leave me alone! Can't you see I'm in the heart of the drift." (Grunt and violent strike) "Damn! Your talking made me miss him!"

I've lasted 15 years with a wonderful lady precisely because I practice my obession well away from her and in the presence of other nuts who view freezing (or broiling)their butts off for 12 hours a day for a week at time as 'normal'.

For those women who already know how to fish, please carry on and don't outfish your husbands/ boyfriends/ me so badly that our little boys'egos take yet another beating.