I've heard a few guys tell of the same as I've experienced - my wife to be fished quite often with me when we were going together, even on rainy days; and often all day! After we got married it quickly became the rare day she would go fishing, and usually on sunny days for a half day. I guess it's kind of common to have to start to beg for 'things', like going fishing , after we've been married for awhile? The norm or not? (The answers are going to either make a lot of guys feel better; or maybe worse, but I doubt that ).

Edit: BTW, for you guys thinking about getting married, scientists have discovered a food substance that strongly reduces the female sex drive - it's called wedding cake.

[ 04-17-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

lol RT it isnt that she has lost interest
Its a condition called Sperm poisoning --- a few friends and I couldnt figure out what happended after that fatal day and it seemed it got worse ---the only thing we could summon up and gather evidence on a regular basis was -well so she didnt go left wing on ya --its just Sperm Poisoning

by the way nice to see ya on board --enjoy your writings and humor ---keep up the good work and keep that reel oiled

Will

psssst been married 16 yrs now so have had alot of research

My wife used to wake me up at 3am to go fishing when I would try to sleep a little longer after shutting the alarm clock off before we were married.Now if I suggest getting up early to go she kind of wrinkles her nose but reluctantly does it anyway.Actually my wife has shown more interest in fishing the last couple of years and rides in the front of my driftboat as long as it's supposed to be a nice day out.My wife is very understanding about my all day driftboat trips most of the time. The first time I took her down the river in my boat she caught a 32lb springer and now thinks she is an expert.

[ 04-17-2001: Message edited by: Sand Shrimp ]

I figure it will be the other way around for me. When Bob and I get married is he going to slak off (sleep seems to be an important thing to him now with so few days off???) and quit taking me fishing? I better have it written into the vows!

Well I have been hiched for 20 years. Wife was not in to fishing. I broke it to her very slowly. I fish and there is not much you can do to stop me. Well now she knows it makes me happy so there is no problem. God I love my Wife. She will come along when the sun is out. But most of the time it is " why don't you just go with Zak my son" see you later dear. I work nites so I can fish all day. I must say I love strong coffee.

Kalamabama,

I work from 6pm to 2am and can fish when ever I want. Its nice to have that flexability but it does catch up with ya. Ive gone out five days in a row with 3hours of sleep each night I end up almost dead and have to hibernate for two straight days. But when the fish are in I can make that sacrifice.

I live with my girlfriend and she dosent have a problem letting me go fishin whenever I want. When I start feeling guilty is when I slow down she never tells me its to much.

Fishgal-
I dont think you'll have a problem finding someone to take you fishing if Bob ever slacks off...I think pretty much everyone on this board would quickly offer up a day on the river with you.

Fishing is a very touchy subject with my wife. She blames her dad for "abandoning" her mom and fishing too much. Mom used to fish with him (quit about ten years ago). They fished as a family when they were growing up.

She feels that a husband should stay home and take care of the family first. I agree that the first priority should be family. However she accepts my fishing. I just don't go very often. She prefers that I take my son when I go. I enjoy and look forward to fishing with my boy. We'll be hitting the river often in June. The father/son bonding thing is good.

I have a great under standing with my wife when it comes to fishin.I've always have been
able to just get up and go,when I Met my wife
I told her flat out that I have no plans on slowin down my fishin time period.She was and is still cool with it.As long as I don't
break plans with her or the family.She delt with it for five years before we finally got
married last fall.She likes to fish her self
so we've takin a charter trip out of westport
once a year for the past six years and I also
take her to bouy ten for a day or so of fishin.I took the family to Carson last week end for Easter and a little fishin and it was
great.All though I'm married with two little
girlies and my wife,I still basically fish when I want it's just more well planned out,
that's all.The moral to the story is get it straightened out before you committ.By the way, After getting married last Sept 23rd I was gone fishin and huntin for four weekend's
in a row.I have a wonderfull wife and I'am
greatfull.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

My wife is kewl about my addiction and she part takes in it with me.

Fishgal rockin concert last week, eh.

My wife hates fishing. She rarely complains when my obsession becomes excessive. When she does it is usually to the affect that we do not spend enough time together so then I threaten to make her go with me then and it usually ends there.

Like Rich G., I usually slow down when I start to feel guilty too.

[ 04-18-2001: Message edited by: MasterBaiter ]

My wife is really cool when it comes to fishing. She loves to fish with me, but really doesn't care for the rain, early mornings, long time inbetween bites, and being trapped in a drift boat.

A nice walk-in trip on the Quinault Reservation in December and a float trip with Saukit2em down the Snohomish for Humpies this October will keep her happy for the year. Toss in a few trips to the Sauk River Steelhead Ranch, and it's a done deal.

Good weather and lots of fish-on action are the keys to getting your wife to actually like fishing.

Normally, I split my weekends between fishing and my family. One day for the fish, and the other day for my wife.

Guess I'm the lucky one.I find it very hard to get away and go fishing with out her.One time a friend and I were going to Sewart to fish for buts,when I told her,she asked when we were going?This was after work on thursday.Told her we were going after work friday.She started packing to go fishing!I had to tell her she was not invited,she proceeded to tell me that if she can't fish I can't fish.So needless to say she got to go! Even when I have to work,she will get up early,grab her rigs,the dogs, and her 44. hike 2 miles into the little su,in the dark, just to be at her favorite silver hole before sunrise. The only time I can fish without her is when we fish all day and half the night,she will get tired and take a nap,that leaves me the rest of the night(king season only),But I will tell you, I would not have it anyother way One more thing I just got to say.You guys in the lower 48 get to fish year round,well it's our time to shine,summer is on it's way up here!!!!YESSSSS....FISH ON!!

My wife is pretty cool about my addiction. She knows that I'm going whenever I get a chance and that it makes me happy. I've tried to talk her into going, but she just isn't up for the 3:00AM Sat. mornings. She isn't really up for the "gross" stuff involved either. I don't think that she could bait up a sandshrimp if her life depended on it and you should see her freak out if I happen to bring home a fish (don't drip on the carpet!, that thing stinks!, take your boots off before you come in! ).

Another thing that helps is that I don't spend all my free time fishing. I usually spend at least one day of the weekend at home with her (no kids yet ).

If a woman pitches me some flack about going fishing I'd be like, "Hey woman. Go knit me a sweater." Or I'd be like, "Hey woman, get in the kitchen and cook me something to eat."

In the past, the girls I dated never tried to interfere with fishing, some participated. I found out though, that they usually only went fishing with me to land me, plus they heard how sexy I am when I fish It's people like RT and Osprey that I have to kick out of that grapevine

I would like my wife to join me but she is the type that would rather go to Nordys and shop until she drops. That is alright with me.
I have a ten year old son that I want to take but feel his patience level is about good for 30 minutes and then he is ready to explore the world- torture bugs, throw rocks as far as he can (when bankin), drink a six pack of pop (leaves pop cans half full)and in general do what 10 year old kids do! The good news is is that he does like to fish!
Back to my wife(whom I dearly love-seems to be the politically correct thing to say-just kidding)......
It is probaly a good thing that my wife does not go out with me and another fishing buddy due to the content of our conversations. You know, how cool we are,what babes are looking hot :D, how often we would like to have the squeeze box squeezed,how cool we are, an occasional profanity (never used around the wife), Mariners(she does like the Mariners), Seahawks and sports in general, not getting "it" enough , and slaming down some coldies (if she only knew how many we actually have I would think she might turn me in to AA), smoking good and bad cigars- gotta love those Swishers Sweets! Some major high levels of testosterone and great male bonding!
To some this sounds a bit immature but like fishing, life needs to be enjoyed to it's fullest ......with your wife on the river or without your wife!

Great Subject, My X wife liked to fish, when we first met it was up early and stay out all day, but as time went along it changed to I will meet you later or I will just fish the evening bite or I am not going to go if it is going to be ****ty weather.
Now for the best thing that has happend to me in a long time, My new girlfriend Pam, WOW this girl can do it all, She has only been steelhead fishing with me 4 times but she has caught 7 fish, How is that for an average. I had her casting a baitcaster right away and I just sit behind the oars and tell her where to cast6 and she does it to perfection and then I wait and listen for the fish on, she picked it up so quickly it is almost scary. I am sure that we are just going to slaughter the springers together and by the end of that season she will be wise beyond her years of experience as far as fishing goes. Not only that she is a great woman and we really enjoy eachother, I would definately say this is one to Marry.
She also wants to learn how to shoot a bow, another bonus!!! well If I do decide to Marry her, and she says yes, I don't think it would suprise anyone.
Peace Superfly

Hey Fly, does she have a twin sister!?

OFC, that funny my wife complains about the icky smells and kitchen mess too, but she is always the first one too suggest having fish for dinner! Sometimes I wish she would try fishing but Mac has a good point too.

I here you about that balance thing, I work a 4 day week so I get one at home and two on the water when things get hot!

Thomas

I did forget to mention one thing about Pam that definately gives her first seat in the boat besides be my girlfriend, and that is GIRL CAN ROW !! the first time out I let her get behind the oars and man, I was impressed, she did however tell me that I was telling her what to do to much, oh well, she has done really well and I cannot wait till she is really good because that is more time that I get to fish. Also her son her oldest son Tyler is going to be a great fisherman, I got him started on the right foot for sure, everytime that they are here at my house I cannot keep them away from the lake, the other day he was wacking the trout good, I told him to just wait until he gets his first springer!!
Peace Superfly

Hey guys Joe ain't telling no lies!!!! We were coming back from the Quinault and we saw Joe at the Satsop take and stopped to say hi. It had really rained that day, Pam was sitting in the front seat looking like a drowned rat (a cute one)I asked how they did, man you ought to have heard that girl go!!! I heard all about the fish she had caught, and how she had rowed the boat. and how Joe had left her alone with the boat in the pouring rain while they went and got the trailer. She said "Screw? them, I'm going to fish". It was great to see someone so excited about fishing.

I've been married 22 years and after that long I can go fishing when and where I like. I ask every once in a while if she would like to go. Never does, not a problem.

Fishhead5

Okay, my x loved fishing and went with me before and after we got married...then turned out to be a lesbian!!

I don't mean to indicate that a woman is that way just 'cause she likes to fish, but ya got to check out them tomboys kinda careful like.

Now my current girl friend, she is not too interested in fishing, so I get to go with the guys which I prefer anyways. I just have to make sure and spend some good time with her too.

I'll second the fact that Superfly's girlfriend is a super fisherwoman. She's hot, she can cast a baitcaster, hook and land fish, and ROW!!! WOW is an understatement!

I hate to admit it, but fishing comes first and women will always be second unless they are like Fishgal And I hate to admit it, but, gulp.....***** Courtney and Shelley would be awesome and how could I forget Yvonne Munson?

I have learned from my older, wiser, and married friends that getting married usually puts a serious dent in your fishing time. I'm sure that some women can be converted, but I'm not taking that chance by marrying any woman that does not share my enthusiasm for salmon and steelhead fishing. Already lost some super-fine gals because I fish too much I need a woman to help me rule The Sauk River Steelhead Ranch and she has be to friendly and outgoing. Is that asking too much

Maybe I'm just young and still somewhat idealistic, but I've seen the writing on the wall and I know better through the advice of my older, married fishing buddies. Fishaholism is a serious disease and when you find yourself passing up a great gal because the river is dialed and full of fish, then you're definately an addict.

Any of you older and married guys used to think like me when you were in your mid twenties? Please don't tell me it gets worse and I'll want to fish even more, because I'm never getting married if that's the case. Help before it's too late or find me a woman that lives to fish!!!

WANTED:
Woman who will cook, clean fish, bait hooks and has boat and motor. Please enclose picture of boat and motor

My X didn't like to fish. Her whole family was fishin' fanatics. I fit right in with them well. She did go one time in 21 years and hooked a summer steelhead, which she lost but was way excited about it. She would go with me camping while I fished and sometimes to sit on the bank in the sun. but she never liked the time I'd spend fishing or the bucks spent on it. Lifes a b---h then ya deevoorce LOL

Well, it has taken me nearly 27 years but exgirlfriend/current wife has finally taken to fishing. I nolonger even think about going with a friend as that is considered grounds for divorce. While she may not be the best fisherperson she is a lot nicer to cuddle up to after a long day on the river.

While this has some obvious advantages it also has some disadvantages. I can't come home and tell stories of how a fish nearly drowned me and that is why I smell so bad. Nor am i likely to get a day on the river with the guys. But on the other hand .. now that the kids are out of the house (mostly anyway) I know who my fishing partner is going to be and what to expect.

Now if I could just get the state of Nevada to put some steelhead in the local river life would be darn near perfect.

Hey Justin, sorry to tell you, unless you have a HARDCORE woman at the getgo, then you're SCEEEEEEREWEDDDDDDDDDD. If she says she likes to fish, go over to her house or check out her car for a working/functional rod/reel that LOOK fished. If not, you're gonna be setup for a DEEEEEVORCE!!!!

Here's my story. Always been a hardcore outdoorsman. Hunting, hiking, and fishing. Downscaled a bit, rarely hunt and do some hiking but still overcoming my back injury. But ALWAYS fished. Met my ex in a "friends" atmosphere. She was dating an acquantence. She knew from the getgo I was a hardcore fisherman. She knew I had alot of fishing rods, a driftboat, and tons of gear (I was only 19 when we met and was a fishaholic). She was a trout fisherwoman. Supposedly fished alot of rivers and loved it. So, she was all set on going with my Dad and I on our fishing outings. She went a few times. But more played in the water then fished. Couldn't read slots or anything. But still her Dad would rave about her trout fishing. Soon, whenever my Dad and I had a fishing trip plan, she either 1. had to work that saturday 2. wasn't feeling good 3. had something to do. Finally, and to this day I STILL don't know how it happened, we got married. TRUTHFULLY, one day we moved in together and the next I was walking down the aisle. I slipped the ring on the hand, and not only did she stop fishing, she made ME stop. I still snuck in a trip whenever I could, but I went from 180+ days of fishing a year down to about 30 days. Talk about shell shock. I grew up right near the Puyallup, and would fish it before and after school and weekends. Hell, I had one year I don't think I put in 20 days fishing. To say the least, I was living in hell. When I did go fishing, I would pay for it for at least a week, if not two. Then it would be a hold out, if you went fishing, you'd get no sex, if you didn't go fishing, you'd still get no sex. LOL. So, towards the end, I revolted. I wanted to take my kids fishing (which she fealt wasn't safe). I wanted to LIVE!!!!! Well, between myself standing up for myself and my ex being a worldclass ho that she is, I got my freedom. Now I have a girlfriend who loves to fish and goes whenever I go. She wants to actually LEARN how to fish. And like superfly's girl, she wants me to teach her how to hunt someday. Incredible. She actually tries to scout out holding water and read the outlines of the river. It's great.

So, good luck Justin. I do pray you get a real person, not a facade. My ex had a royally HUGE facade that cost me a 7 year stint of my life. Only good thing I got out of it was my children.

Thanks Ryan

Coho: Yes it was rockin!! You guys didn't happen to have a camera when you ran upfront? Next time I will be quicker

ha ha ha ha ha you fools. Naa just kidding. I have the opposite story. My wife and I didn't fish much at all when we were going together. She just didn't like to and she didn't mind me going. After being married for many years and working my way up to more comfortable boats she has learned to go and enjoys it more now. This Columbia springer season was great and she got a couple and now I think she is even higher than ever and fishing. My advice is the same for kids and wives. start them slowly by going on nice days for easier to catch fish and don't stay out all day. Let them work their way into it at theri own pace and it will pay off! Tight lines.

Hey Fishgal,

We had no camera-they were letting people take pictures. If she would have known Im sure she would have had it. You should have come up there with us. You had to be very discreet with the security dude. Already looking forward to next time,eh.

HI GUYS AND GALS, MY FIRST POST. I am a wife and mother of three. I also use to fish more in the beginning of my fishing life, but family(kids)seem to take up more time from us gals. Husbands can get away with just going off and fishing, while wifes HAVE to due the kid things, such as sports and running them here and there. It is not that we don't want to fish as much, but that we are just busier than before, so therefore, we are very tired! We also have to work on top of the kids, and that leaves very little time for fishing. Not to take away from you guys, because we know that you work very hard, but it seems to me that it is just easier for a man to get away than a woman, I love to fish and will fish for the rest of my life. Fishing is great for the soul!

Welcome to Piscatorial Pursuits. Your perspective from a mother who likes to fish but doesn't get the opportunity is insightful, and an eyeopener for some. Don't get mad at me guys for this suggestion: How about a gal's fishing group that gets a periodic weekend day to fish together while dad stays home with the kids? That's of course if the kids are too young or not interested in fishing yet. Perhaps localized groups would be easier to get together, but I would enjoy seeing some interested women, with kids and/or husband or neither, use this forum to establish women's fishing clubs. Maybe by areas such as Puget Sound Lady Angler's, SW Washington Lady Anglers, or NW Oregon Lady Anglers. You could hire a good joint babysitter or day care for those that can't talk dad into staying away from the river on weekends. I think that perhaps some guides or myself would be glad to put on a fishing how-to clinic for a group of women interested in getting started fishing. All kinds of ideas - enough so that I will make this a topic thread of it's own.

I am lucky as a Firefighter I dont have to fish weekends. The 24 hrs on 48 off works great for fishing. My Girlfriend is very understanding because I am home on the weekends with her and that is where I want to be. When the new drift boat comes in she will go on the nice days she says, I am looking forward to that. Last night she said she would rather row then fish, I said that is just fine then I can fish more we will see about that though.

[ 04-28-2001: Message edited by: Firedog ]

***** "bait" RT! (Good humour girl, now don't come a blastin')

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I row as well! I am not perfect yet, but they say, practice makes perfect. Keep fishing and be happy!!!!!!!!!