A Guides Life

When fishing in Alaska, there is more to it than what you think.
Most believe it is an easy catch for

“THE BIG ONE”.

Most of the flies, and hook set ups, are tied by hand. The time invested in preparing for a guided trip is numerous hours, and doesn’t stop when the trip is over. As a guide, they start 3 hours before the first trip, which sometimes will be 3 a.m., and not end until 11 p.m. Where they finally get to go home and get cleaned up, make their lunches, take a rest and start all over again, in just a few hours

The scenery changes, daily, even in the same areas that we fish. The waters move objects in the river, just when they thought they knew where the obstacles were, a new pattern has to be followed. Avoiding fallen trees, sunken tree stumps, boulders, and the occasional moose being in their way, makes it difficult to have a daily routine, when guiding down a supposedly familiar river.

Finally after reaching their destination for fishing, they get their clients set up with the gear, hip boots and a short “HOW TO” speech. The clients trust the Guides to make sure that they are in safe hands, on and off the boat.

Watching a client, for the first time, especially the younger ones, with excitement, and knowing they are thinking

“I AM ACTUALLY FISHING IN ALASKAN WATERS”,

Is somewhat exciting for the Guides, as well, knowing, they are the ones to make it happen.

The clients are hooked up! Catching an Alaskan Salmon, seeing them fight that fish and most of all, actually landing it, is a very satisfying feeling, knowing they did their job well!!

Going behind the scenes of being a guide in “Alaskan Waters”, made me realize that the preparation is the biggest job of all. The fishing can be excellent all the time, but the catching can poor on a regular basis. And if the fish are not cooperating, it is not the Capt/Guide's fault. It just happens that way on some days. Either way, they try to make a great day no matter how the catching is. It’s not as easy as some may think.

Everyone brags about how big the fish are here in Alaska, and it can be misleading to some clients when instead of catching a 60Lb. King, they catch a 30Lb. King, or when they are out in the ocean, instead of getting a 300Lb. halibut, they catch a 60Lb. Yes we have great fishing days, and we all love to brag about how big the fish was we landed, but in reality, no matter where you are fishing in Alaska, and if you are with a decent guide, who knows their stuff, well, then, you are in good hands, and by god, your fishing in ALASKA!!! What could be better....

I know this, because, I too, am a guide. I know that long hours pay off, and that we have to take advantage of the great fishing that Alaska has to offer, when we can. Living in the dark winters and the constant freezing temperatures, isn’t a walk in the park. But, we sure do welcome our summers and the people who visit our great state of ALASKA!

Written by:

Terri

Fisherman's Choice Charters

Fishermanschoice@alaska.com