Day In The Life. Part One.

Recently while derigging near a river access, a fellow angler came over with some questions. The tailgate conversation went from fly patterns, techniques to river volume. My new friend asked if I was a guide. I answered that I was. His reply was that it must be an awesome job to fish all season and get paid for it. I chuckled at what his image of guiding entails. I will say it is awesome to guide full time. Fishing and guiding are two completely different animals. This is a sneak peak at the behind the scenes reality of a typical day for us.

Our day starts anywhere from 3:00-5:00 a.m. depending on where and at what time of the season we are guiding. First order of the day. Coffee. Good coffee. Make breakfast and check emails. Multitasking is high art during the peak season. Reply to questions, confirmations and inquires. Call for flow regime if we are working on a dam controlled river. Check USGS flow chart for another view of other waters. Check two weather forecast sites. Grab recharged phone and camera batteries. Start packing the truck. This can be a simple affair or complicated if clients are in need of waders, boots, etc. Pack lunches, snacks and drinks. This is either made by us or picked up on the road from one of the restaurants or cafes we work with throughout the season. Trailer up the boat if it's a float trip. Make a road coffee. Fuel up the truck, buy ice, pick some commute tunes and head to the put in. I am usually at the put in an hour earlier than clients unless I pick up clients en route. Deck the boat out. Rig two client rods with either a streamer set ups or nymph rigs. Stretch lines and rewind carefully. Take a water temp. Set up shuttle with the driver. Refill the java for the last hit. Wader myself up, sunscreen, buff, sun gloves, bug dope and hydrate/snack. If I have time I'll check out the shoreline for any remnants of yesterdays bug du jour. I'll also call future clients to confirm and check in about booked trips before meeting today's guests. A possible call for a lunch order later in the week. A call to a another guide for a report. Finally meet clients at appointed time.

Stay tuned for what's involved when we actually fish.