We are at the 3/4 mark of the season. August brings in the hot summer days, warm nights, early mornings, and the push to the fall.
Summers are fun. Lots of people out, hopper fishing, swimming… did I mention lots of people? It’s the busiest time of the season for outdoor recreation. Everyone is outside in some form. From concerts to camping, boating to fishing, hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, atvs, you name it; someone is doing it around here. Each weekend, the place fills with outdoor lovers.
I will say- on a side note to all the fun times of summer: it seems that a lot of people are on edge. So, just be courteous and kind to fellow recreators. Things are tough still. I just got done with a multi boat float with a lot of stressed out financial advisors and money people. They needed a day to unplug and catch some fish. You could feel it.
Stress is really noticeable when you work this gig and live this life. I don’t have a lot of it. And I’ve learned to manage it pretty well. But my lifestyle affords me less stress all around. I know I facilitate that kind of connection and unplug for most if not all of my clients. I may not understand the why or how or even care to know what the cause of the stress is. What brings you riverside and how you choose to communicate it- is up to you. I have a different and unique vibe with each of my clients and try and give them the day they need. I know it ain’t easy all the time. Shit gets tough, and let’s be honest, everything is f’ing expensive.
Sometimes, this lifestyle can show a very carefree kind of life. It’s not what you see on the gram and online that’s all queued and done up. It’s work. It’s a grind, but it has its perks and cons just like anything else. I get to fish and live this way, and it’s a choice. So I don’t complain much. Except when fish are being shits. I don’t take what I do for a living and where I get to fish and play for granted. I want every experience with clients to feel fulfilling and connective. It’s why I move clients around on the calendar when fishing is poor, why I get frustrated with fishing, and I work diligently to stay on top of things when it comes to guiding. I want your time in the boat to be enriching. Which means the river and I have to perform and produce. This gig is a mixed bag of things that come together to make good guide. But in the end it’s still 20% fishing and 80% people.
I don’t have a lot of work this summer. And that’s okay. Last year, I was incredibly busy. I worked almost every day. I’m okay with my last full-time season on the Yakima being slightly leisurely. I still want trips, but it’s also been a funky season river conditions wise. And sometimes those are just the cards you are dealt as a guide. I could say it’s climate change, or regs, or a multitude of other things that cause inconsistencies with the Yakima. It doesn’t get me anywhere, and sometimes you just gotta keep chunking away at it until it breaks, changes, or something is figured out. It’s not the first season the Yak has been real persnickety with anglers and guides. But those early mornings have picked up, and fish are hungry.
The hot weather and water is another reason to take August easy. Already, hoot owl and closures are blanketing rivers in the west. Four more rivers closed in Montana this past week due to low water and high temps. Closures in Oregon summer steelhead rivers just arrived due to low runs and 80-degree water temps. Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia has closed due to hot water and seeing dead fish. It’s not the greatest news. And also a reason to take it easy in August. The fall will come, and the fishing will be great. It always is. And it’s booking up. I’ll take a few days in August that book, but I’m not trying to cram days in the heat, and put pressure on fish that I want around this fall before I leave for the year. There are early morning half day floats open for August 11th-14th, 22nd thru 27th.
Yes, I am leaving in November. A lot is changing and happening over the next 12 to 18 months for my business, me, my future. It’s been in the making since 2019, then covid sent it back a bit. I’m gonna kinda skid and snake it into existence this year. I’m done waiting, and I need the change both personally and professionally.
My partner Kristen and I are headed to the southern gulf and Atlanta fisheries for the month of November. I have never fished or even been that far south. I am more than excited. I am also partnering with Hog Island Boat Works, which makes my 16 ft. LTD Driftboat that everyone rides in, and they are helping me with getting a 17 ft. Shallow Saltwater Skiff. It is basically like a sponsorship. I will be traveling to Florida to pick up my new boat this November, where Hog Island is going to be making their skiff. They are currently all made in Steamboat but mostly ship south. I’m procuring a motor and trailer for the boat and a few odds and ends and working on my captains license over the winter. The new boat and license will open more guiding and water up for me, which has always been the goal when I hit 10 years into guiding.
After Florida, I will be wintering in Michigan. I know- it sounds absolutely crazy to be in Michigan for the winter. Especially since I freaking hate snow and being cold. But there are other things afoot in Michigan waters that I am also chasing. I don’t want to live in Washington full time anymore. I have lived in a few places and Washington doesn’t have enough fishing for me. I want more. So Michigan seems like as good a place as any. Slowly over the next 2 seasons I will work the south in the winter, and split my trout season from April to October between the Yakima in Washington, Idaho if work opens up, and Michigan. Summers will shift to Michigan fisheries as it gets hot in the west. Bass, pike, and musky are now options, new clients, new experiences, travel trips for regular clients. And coming back to my homewater to fish and enjoy it with having done more and different which keeps the familiar interesting.
It’s a step. It’s a little scary, but it’s happening. I am also 37 and can’t row a boat forever. Plans to have passive income, retirement, and other ventures are more easily accessible elsewhere compared to Washington. Like I said, both personal and professional reasons.
And anglers… there is so much more fishing out there than this little slice here in Washington. I’ve had the privilege of traveling and bumming it up all over and getting to experience a lot of different fishing. From Alaska to Colorado and damn near all the good stuff in between. The Yakima is just a little bitty fraction of a fraction of fly fishing. I can’t tell you how much things change the farther east and further away from Missoula MT you get. Fly fishing is older back east. And down south, which I have little knowledge of, seems like a different planet and vibe altogether. Like Alaska is. Just mind bogglingly different. The Yakima has always been a bit of a black hole for angling here in the PNW being one of if not the only good fishery in the state. After 10 years and hundreds of trips, it’s just time. Never wanted to only guide the Yak.
I will, however, continue to guide the Yak. Business wise, it takes care of itself. I have worked very hard to build up a client roster and core clientele that book and fish with me. I won’t say goodbye to that or teaching and developing more clientele here on the Yakima. It’s just not gonna be the only river or place I do it moving forward.
I will run 75 to 100 trips on the Yakima River in 2024, probably 50 to 75 in 2025, and that’s where it will stay moving onward. Things change, but that seems likely. Eventually, most of those days will be booked prior to the season starting. Which has always been the goal. The dates will be set way ahead and during prime times like late March thru Mother’s Day Caddis and Labor Day thru Halloween. That should be plenty of dates and they will fill. Summers will shift to Michigan, especially May and June for Bass and other warm water species. And the late fall and winter will be down in the southern saltwater and freshwater. 200 to 270 guide days a year if I want to be busy but more than likely under 200 split amongst the places with other things in the works too.
That’s what’s happening and what I’m working towards right now anglers. Enough money to buy the motor and trailer for the new skiff, the winter cushion I usually have, and scoot through the winter fishing salt and lake run rainbows and tying flies like usual. Those will be up for sale this winter like previous seasons. Little more robust this winter.
There’s been a lot of questions and texts and sad faces, and I’ve been busy and quiet with responses while I plan things out. But heading east is a certainty. Now that we’ve got the winter planned, and I’m finalizing all the details with the new boat and Hog Island, I can answer questions more surely.
The schedule is pretty full. Maybe 10 to 15 more days booked between now and October, and that’s enough to get everything done. It really wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for the support and patronage of my clients and followers. You all have made this Trout Bum’s dreams a reality. I am excited to share it with you as it moves and shifts. Exploring new water, new species, new things, places, people, and I get to come back to the homewater and share new things have new perspectives, new stories and more options for all the anglers that come out.
There ya go anglers. Thank you again for all your support. Book trips, fill up those last dates and let’s end this season on a high note.
See you riverside anglers. And in new places soon.
Tamarack
Tamarack's Guide Service 