When I first started guiding my thought was since I’m out here in the dark, I might as well have it paid for.
Well that didn’t last too long when I realized that the reason I was taking folks out to fish for my passion was to get “the picture”. Taking a photo did a number of things.
First off, if I’m taking photos of people with fish, they accomplished what they came out for. Then secondly, there is no better advertising then a client holding a big fish in a photo. It does happen but there’s very few photo’s of me holding fish. Really who wants to see a guide holding a fish? Post enough people holding fish and the financial end will take care of itself.
I’ve said it many times “watching a newbie pull a big flathead or sturgeon up to the side of the boat is worth more money then the guide trip costs”.
The comments range from “that’s coming in the boat” to “damn that’s huge” to many things that I can’t type here.
Last night I took out Lauri and Marty, writers for the Agate magazine. Newbies to sturgeon fishing. I explained that it was a work day and I could only have them on the water from 6 to 9pm. They agreed to the short trip and were very pleased to get a chance at a sturg. In fact they were so excited, they didn’t even notice the sprinkle of rain we were getting.
Lauri asked why I would take them out for free. I explained that I’ve made money on these fish, they are a strong but fragile fish and having her write about her experience is my way of giving back to this fish. Her writings will reach a “different” audience then my normal circles and make people aware of the world class sturgeon fishery we have right here in Metro Minnesota. Oh yes, we talked a lot about fish handling which is really the only hazard to our catch and release fishing.
Well by 8:45 we had 3 sturgeon and one channel cat in the boat. None of the sturgeon were over 42 inches but they like the channel cat were scrappers, bending the rod down into the water. The largest (42″) was a tagged fish. Perfect timing! I’ve sent that info into the DNR’s tag reporting website already.
I had a great time with these two as they just soaked up the information but when I arrived home and took a look at the photos…I realized that Marty’s expression is the bottom line to “why I guide”.
As long as the smile is big, the fish doesn’t have to be. 
(I have a few donated trips for next year, but won’t be booking anymore clients)
Attachments:
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