The Montana Dream

Having had a few days off...a couple weeks really, I figured I'd go down to the Henry's Fork of the Snake in Idaho to check things out. I've heard some great things about it and with the salmon fly hatch in full swing, I couldn't think of a better time to hit it. Plus, with having a friend in the Teton Valley, lodging was a breeze.

When we got there, the weather definitely didn't cooperate, the salmon flies were just finishing and golden stones were just getting started. With all that food in the water for the past couple weeks, the big boys were gorged and not eating. It made things tough to say the least. There were plenty of PMD's on the water but again, the fish were pretty much stuffed and not eating. We did manage a few nice fish but when it's all said and done, I'm glad I guide on the Mo.

So this week was my first big push and I'm happy to be getting a number of last minute bookings to fill the calendar. I will mention, however, cancellations have been stressing me out. I was canceled seven days in June alone by one outfitter...yeah, seven. I was able to re-book some of those days but it does bring up a question for me and that is of loyalty.

After talking with the outfitter and getting the response that he has to, "take care of himself first," I wondered just how loyalty is defined in the guiding business. I hear the complaints all the time that guides are becoming outfitters and stealing clients and that the days of the professional guides are over but what do you expect? Seven days? And it's not because the clients weren't there. In fact, two of the days were a result of the outfitter double booking guides because he didn't trust the original guide would show up. If that was the case, why book him in the first place? Also, for the days that a client didn't show up, the outfitter collected the deposit and instead of paying the guide for losing the day, he kept the money. Loyalty? Respect? Professionalism? I guess all these concepts come down to perspective and who's pocket matters most.

On top of that, all the outfitters are raising their prices due to cost of gas and food going up but not all of them pay their guides more. It's the guide who has the overhead; providing lunches, drinks, flies, gear, and transportation. Where's the loyalty there? I guess what it comes down to is my loyalty will reside with those that reciprocate the effort. There are outfitters out ther that do treat their guides well; more like partners than like equipment and I hope to continue doing business with them. In the future, I'd like to be able to pick and chose who I work with but right now I just need the days. And regardless of who's writing the check, my bottom line is always the client and their experience. Those who know me know this is true and respect that in me.

As for fishing, it's been good. The water has steadied and fish are coming up. Yesterday I had a single client that caught well over 30 fish with a couple really good browns. We managed to get a few eats on dries and in all, had a great day.

Keep 'em where they live y'all.