Tremendous write up @A-Jay!
I'm all over the place with regards to stages but I would say stage 5 is most prevalent when Tresa(wife) goes. I fun fish and fish the way I want when I'm by myself but when Tresa goes I rarely wet a line.
There has been times when I over-teach and she lets me know that her goal is to catch some fish, have fun, laugh, and that we're spending time together. In other words it's not a fishing seminar. I'm good with that reminder.
i have mentioned many times before that I grew up in the very rural South and the majority of my early fishing years were for table fare. It was what all outdoorsman I knew did. It was sometime in my teens that Bass took over and as with most I became obsessed. I tournament fished for a number of years; I dressed the part, talked the part, and it was a great time.
As I have gotten older I simply decided to fun fish and have fun. I want to catch fish but if I don't I am content knowing I can still do something I love to do!
My grandson has caught the bug and pleads with me to take him to the swamp. He's been before but not in the boat. Its time. So for those trips it's stage 5 and I can't wait!
Lastly. In reading many of the replies it's obvious that whatever stage we are in (it's fluid) the majority still have those youthful feelings about fishing. Please never lose that.
