Online dating, but with a difference

The internet is a hugely powerful tool, not only for meeting folk across the world but also for promoting our sport, writes Guy Maddocks

- Guy Maddocks

We are not talking about a clandestine romantic liaison here. Oh no, this is about hooking up online with like-minded sporting folk through the power of the internet with these incredible smartphone devices we all carry in our pockets.

Back in 2021, I had spent the day fly-fishing on the River Taw in North Devon and posted a few pictures on Instagram, as I do. A chap who was following me commented on the image and asked where it was. I was of course cagey with my answer, not being too precise about the location as you just never know. He came back and wrote, “I knew it, I know exactly where that is,” and added that he’d love to come fish it with me one day when he was in the area.

Like-minded people

Some years ago I had a surf business, and in the early days of Twitter and Instagram we used these platforms to market our products with some success. It gave me an insight into the power of these platforms and the ease with which you can make contact with any like-minded people and potential clients you wish to target. That venture has long since gone, but I continue to communicate through Facebook and Instagram and keep in touch with friends and contacts I have made over the years. I love it and enjoy seeing other people’s adventures and experiences.

The beauty of Instagram is that you can scan through a profile and gain a fair amount of insight into the person behind it. The chap who commented on my post was Tim; his Instagram profile was all about food and wine with a fair bit of shooting and flyfishing thrown in for good measure. What’s not to like about that?