keeping my wife interested help!

dummy · 10-10-2001, 06:40 PM

so we got a driftboat and my wife all of a sudden likes to fish. which is great. i never knew she was just scared of breaking her back walking on the river rock. but that was this summer. how can i keep her interest going with out ruining the whole thing with over excitment. i get up later when we go, i dont wack as many fish just the ones that are mortaly hooked. and i try to not focus on fishing the whole time.

but before i mess up a good thing i would like the women of the board to give me more advice on how to make this as fun for her as it is me.

and for you guys thinking i am wipped i went fishing 25 days in september and not one complaint about how much time i spend fishing.

so please help me keep this good thing goin

Pete · 10-10-2001, 06:50 PM

I'm not a gal, but I think I can provide some advice. 1) Propane heater. 2) Good rain gear. Warm and dry goes a long way in keeping someone happy. Last time my wife rode in my drift boat she flipped herself headfirst into the river, getting her head and shoulders drenched. I'd just finished bicycle shuttling my truck to the take out and I wanted to fish. I gave up all my warm clothes, hat and gloves to try to keep her comfortable. It didn't work. She was unhappy and has never set foot in the boat again.

RW · 10-10-2001, 08:39 PM

I love to fish when it is 30 degrees and rained the night before, there is very little pressure on the river. Since I row I usually don't get cold so I will speak for my front seat fishing partners.

Like Pete said, the propane heater is great. Get her some Grundens rain gear, a good hat that is warm and water proof, some good fitting neoprene gloves. Don't have her wear jeans, have her wear good long underwear and polar fleece pants. On the top long underwear, turtle neck, polar fleece and jacket.

Why don't you take her down the night before and stay in a local hotel for a treat. Make sure you have a thermos of hot coffee and some Bailey's in it doens't hurt. Good Luck, RW

First Bite · 10-10-2001, 08:39 PM

Most important thing is to make sure she is comfortable. That might mean outfitting her with neoprenes & felt sole shoes or insulated hip waders. I purchased my wife womens insulated hip waders and then glued on felt soles and that works pretty good. A good pair of warm gloves is a good idea too. If she is comfortable then the rest will fall into place.

My wife starting showing more interest the last few months and it's a good thing. She has caught her first Chinook and just this last week her first steelhead.

Mark

Vinny · 10-10-2001, 10:22 PM

Don't forget that all important special dining experience afterward.

You lose points for fast food, gain points for someplace unique. Kind of an "our favorite place" after fishing.

No one mentioned it, I'm sure you're already setting up her gear, baiting hook, etc. (that's a no brainer! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] )

You lucky dog. and there's an "h" in whipped just like on the magazine cover.

Who's thread was that with the cover of Whipped Magazine! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

FEAR NO FISH! · 10-10-2001, 10:43 PM

Hey Dummy,
Buy your wife a mustang survival suit.
Get her the suit that is orange from
the chest up and from the chest down
it is black. It doesn't show as much
dirt. Extremely warm and has the
benefit of keeping her afloat if she
goes in the drink. I have had a little
trouble at times when I expect too
much out of her. When she buggers a
fish off or when she tangles lines, or
when she dumps the entire breakfast
you have just made for her onto the
bottom of the boat, or when she
forgets things like her fishing
license, try not to get mad at her.
Bring little surprises for her. Ladies
really appreciate them. If you do get
mad, the suit works really well. She
will bob around like a cork. That is
another story. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

StorminN · 10-10-2001, 11:17 PM

If she's anything like mine, you want a heater, heater, heater... if you don't have a heater, buy her a case of those handwarmer packs. Like the man said, make sure she's warm & dry.

Make sure you get to bed really early the night before so she might acually want to get up early the next day... that means start getting your gear together like 3 days beforehand so you're not up late the night before doing the finishing touches.

Hot chocolate in the Thermos helps, too.

-N.

AuntyM · 10-11-2001, 05:28 AM

A method for her to go potty! Even if it's just a coffee can. Choose carefully what you expect her to wear. If she is warm and dry, it won't matter.... if her bladder is about to burst! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

The gear thing is important. Don't be cheap! And make sure it is really hers. Take her with you to buy the stuff. Let her organize her own tackle. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Patience! Don't criticize her overly much. And if she gets any wierd ideas like a different rig or bait, let her experiment. She might be on to something!

Don't be alarmed if you come home from work and see her reading Ifish posts. She is merely looking for a way to kick your **** on the water. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

FishinMission · 10-11-2001, 09:58 AM

Near as I can tell...It's all covered pretty well here. If you haven't bought a heater yet..get one of them "Coleman" jobs. They're the best. Man...AuntieM's on the same "plane" as myself today. I'm always hollerin' at Jan to stick with what usually works, but the last two trips at Tillamook, when I'm not looking, she's slipped different lures down that I think wouldn't work at all, and she's gotten three fish. Other people in my boat are starting to pay more attention to her than they do me. I just have to remind them that I taught her well.

Keeping her comfortable is the most important thing, however. Be thankful you have a woman that likes to come along. Took me 15 years to find one.

10-11-2001, 10:14 AM

My wife was (still is) my favorite fishing buddy. Of course she grew up on Whidbey Island with her Dad "forcing" her to go as a kid, but she ended up loving it. MS and Kids slowed her down a bit, but a few Chinook over 40 pounds over the years have kept her interested, along with all the other "must be/must haves" listed above.

Like Mark's wife, she has always understood the need for the big ticket items, like boats and new motors as well. I am sure most fishing wive's also appreciate that they know what kind of slimey things we are chasing on the rivers, not the Tavern's and
always know where we are when we are not home. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Vinny · 10-11-2001, 05:05 PM

Aumty M's got a point.

Right now (starting yesterday) Bi-Mart has their camping potty(s) on sale, 20% off.
I own one and love it. Also buy a poncho to wear in a pinch (for privacy). I just leave mine in the back of my mini-van. I almost never have to use it, but when I do,
Ahhhh . . . [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
and, if you're camping and one of your little ones needs to use the potty, you won't have to walk him/her to the bathroom (if there is one) in the middle of the night. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

hoochie · 10-11-2001, 06:21 PM

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: hoochie ]

hoochie · 10-11-2001, 06:23 PM

Our first date was a trip to Bouy 10 starting at 3AM 15 years ago!

Niki's been my best fishing partner ever since.

My goal ALWAYS is to keep her warm and comfortable in the boat, keep her onto fish and listen to her suggestions even if I don't agree. She has kicked my butt and put 19# Hooknoses in the boat with her ideas.

Always have a 'potty system' available. Listen to your 'Aunty M' she knows!

There is nothing in this world I like better than fishing with my best friend. She's always willing to try some place new and try for fish we've never caught.

It's a lot easier to convince her to let you buy that bunch-o-tackle and rods if she gets to use them too.

dummy · 10-12-2001, 03:54 AM

wow thanks everyone. so i will buy a heater have a pottie system, warm clothes, anough cash for dinner on the way home, great gear and rain coat. and let her do her own thing. and if a accident happens like petes call it a day. and once in a while say in a small motel near the river. great ideas i will put them to good use thanks. oh ya little treats and hot coco.

hoochie · 10-12-2001, 07:39 AM

Just one more thing.
31-foot motorhome with HOT shower, microwave, stove, furnace, down comforter, TV, VCR, lots of movies, ahhh, have I forgotten anything here????

AuntyM · 10-12-2001, 08:01 AM

Hoochie,

Do all the cooking and cleanup. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] No woman can resist a trip where she can just relax!

Spoons · 10-12-2001, 08:43 AM

everything above, but spend the money and get Gore-Tex waders, not just breathable or neoprene but a good Gore-Tex. This way she can layer in the winter for warmth and much easier to pull down for potty breaks!

hoochie · 10-12-2001, 10:37 AM

aunty M, we have an agreement in that she cooks, I do the dishes. She keeps the inside of the motorhome ship-shape, I take care of the sewer hose etc. and all the outside stuff along with all the boat chores.

I get gourmet cooking, she gets heated boat rides and lots of fish to catch.

Doesn't get any better that that!

RC · 10-12-2001, 05:29 PM

HAVE HER BUY HER OWN FISHING GEAR. IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO WORK BETTER IF SHE PICKS IT OUT. LET HER CATCH THE FISH INSTEAD OF YOU. ASK HER TO GO FISHING BEFORE YOU ASK YOURE BUDDIES. GET INVOLVED WITH N.W. STEELHEADERS OR A GROUP LIKE THAT. TAKE HER STURGEON FISHING (YOU ALWAYS CATCH SOMETHING).MAKE SURE THE HEATER IS AIMED AT HER, NOT YOU. GO FISHING WITH OTHER COUPLES. AFTER 25 YEARS, MY WIFE GOES FISHING MORE THAN I DO! ENCOURAGE HER TO TAKE HER GIRLFRIENDS OUT IN THE BOAT, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. THEY LOVE TO GO CATCH SHAD & DRINK A FEW BEERS TOGETHER! GOOD LUCK.