Many a friendships made fishing

From Wikipedia “Although there are many forms of friendship, some of which may vary from place to place, certain characteristics are present in many types of friendship. Such characteristics include affection, empathy, honesty, altruism, mutual understanding and compassion, enjoyment of each other’s company, trust, and the ability to be oneself, express one’s feelings, and make mistakes without fear of judgment from the friend.”
I was trying to determine how one might describe friendship. On Monday, I spent the day fishing with my good friend Phil. I have known Phil for almost 20 years and though our age difference is quite considerable, I really enjoy his company.
Over the course of many years, Phil has challenged me to become a better bass fisherman, and on Monday he gave me a lesson on fishing blow down trees on Lake of the Woods with long ribbon tailed plastic worms. I have always been leery of fishing those fallen rotting trees in the water having lost many crankbaits to the timber.
But patiently he rigged my line and taught me the fundamentals. I was his pupil and he was my teacher.
He has been our guest at our cabin for years and has introduced many new friends to us from Missouri.
In the Times this week, Jeff Gustafson, in his column talks about the friendships that have formed around fishing. It is quite a fraternity. At the dock early Monday morning, I ran into Joe Pritchard who for many years fished Fort Frances with his partner Hiram Archibald. Joe is a gentle giant with a passion for fishing and can give anyone a lesson on catching large mouth bass on Lake of the Woods. We greeted each other warmly as friends from the Fort Frances tournament.
The public landing at Sioux Narrows was filled with trucks and boat trailers. This week will again be a meeting of old friends. Age differences are unknown. Whether young or young at heart, fishermen gather to compete but also for the enjoyment of each other’s company. Competitive fishing is as much a social gathering as it is a competition.
Stories will be shared. Ideas will be exchanged. Up until competition day, everyone will claim the biggest bags of fish. Truth will find its way to the weigh-ins beginning Friday afternoon. By then, the community of Sioux Narrows will gather to mingle with the fishermen who come to their doorstep the weekend following Labour Day each year.
Many of those fishermen this weekend have become family to the community and will have shared meals in their homes and cabins in the days leading up to the tournament. Many of those fishermen have invited those same families back to their homes in Winnipeg, and the states for visits.
Fishing tournaments create lasting bonds and friendships. As I left the parking lot Monday night after a meal with Phil, we hugged each other and he said; “I have made such wonderful friends through fishing”.
I have to admit the same. My life is richer for the friendships that have developed in a fishing boat.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher