Find some new friends! I've never owned more than a rowboat for marsh hunting, but I've enjoyed many a day fishing salmon on sleds. I offer to pay gas even with guys I've fished with since childhood! Some of my buddies feel funny about taking cash because they'd be out there with or without me. Then I offer to bring the food or do the driving next time we don't need the boat.

You have to work it out with whatever is comfortable for you. There should be a little give on all sides, whether it's handing over some cash or picking up some bills along the way.

Just a note for all you guys going along as riders... offer to bring lunch and do it right. A bag of Doritos and a six pack won't cut it! A buddy back home has a 24' sled and would never take money for gas. I brought lunch for all four of us. Lunch included a couple buckets of fried chicken, a cooler of sodas, some potato salad, a couple bags of chips, a bag of peanuts, and a homemade chocolate cheesecake. That doesn't include the box of donuts and coffee I brought to the launch.

Where I come from, you take care of good friends like they're family... even if it means leaving them at home to learn a lesson about manners!