The Off Season is ending. It has been a mellow one. I have been hibernating here in Michigan patiently waiting for the Guide Season to come. March is only a few weeks away. Plane ticket is bought, guide trip schedule is almost full. The next few weeks are for preparing mentally and physically for the work. I get to tie flies for guiding, finish up the last few things like insurance, tippet and leader orders, and prepping clients for the new additions to the guiding program this year.
The winter or off season is always a bit stressful for those of us that live the guide life. We hope we have enough money to make it to the next season. We pay what bills we can, we hope we don’t hurt ourselves in the first few weeks of the season. The realities of guide season come with their own set of stress inducing things. Over the past decade I have grown very accustomed to this ebb and flow of patience finances, and mental stability. This life is not easy, especially when you live it real, no sponsors, no Instagram fame paying out dollars, at the end of the day its a service gig, with manual labor attached. And I love it. I work outside, use my body, get to share my work with others who appreciate the time and expertise I have garnered over my tenure as a guide. This gig isn’t for everyone. But it is definitely for me.
This year is a big one in a lot of ways. I am adding new waters and states to my summer guide program. I am slowly working on a winter time fishery. I am changing my guiding program up. I am adding soft goods like hats and stickers. I am adding a motorized boat to the guide program and new fish species to chase. I am also squaring up my business. By the summer my business should be debt free. That has been the small business struggle and the bane of my existence since covid. I can see that light at the end of the tunnel and that is pretty awesome. It is necessary as I venture into new and bigger business things here in Michigan with my partner.
I have owned a few businesses in my adult life. They are always a bit of a struggle and need a lot of love and passion to survive. With the current state of things in the world, running a small business is a real bitch. In all honesty we get screwed over. So finally being able to see true light at the end of the tunnel and be able to move into a new and bigger phase of business is exciting despite everything going on. I have worked very hard and I am finally close to the business side of things working they way they are supposed to.
That is due to all of my clients. I cannot thank you enough. This season had booked up so fast, you anglers keep me going. You inspire my passion and make me fall in love with fly fishing all over again every time I get to experience it with you. I am forever grateful anglers.
The next few weeks are always the hardest. Not being able to just head out and fish the weeks leading up to the guiding is a new thing for me. Not worried, just bummed I am not taking the boat out every other day as I get into March. I have a week before I start work when I arrive at the end of February and that should be enough time to knock the dust off and work out the kinks.
There are only 13 days left open for the Spring. And one Clinic with 6 spots open on March 30th. That is it. I still have fall dates open but I am focused on the spring as we get close to it. Clients that are already on the calendar will be hearing from me a week to 3 days before your trip for our pre trip program that helps you prep for your guide trip. We also have journals for each client that will be used for workshopping and developing advanced skillsets. I am really looking forward to it. As my clients and anglers have improved over the season so have I as a guide.
Thank you to everyone, the follows, the likes, the blog reads, and the trips. I am so excited to get back to it anglers. Only a few more weeks!
Tamarack
Tamarack's Guide Service 