"Guide"

It was one of those days where I knew I had made a bad call. The weather had turned to @#$* and we were 32 miles offshore trying to fly fish for blue water "anything". What was a bonefish guide doing out here with a client that was chucking his guts up and holding on for dear life?

I had overreached and in trying to provide what the client wanted, had made a very poor decision. Now I was paying for it. I looked at my very pale, wet, and cold client and said as humbly as I could, let's get the hell out of here, I am very sorry for taking you out today". His response was priceless. He said, "Clint, please don't apologize, I am having the time of my life." I laugh just thinking about it. When we finally got back to some calmer water my client who was a real trooper explained that this experience gave him a great story to tell when he got back to his corporate office where everything is so controlled and safe.

In the midst of the craziness of that day something bigger than catching fish was going on, we were both very aware of what it meant to be alive. I see it many times on trips; a client put the rod down and just dangles their feet in the water, or walks off on their own for time of solitude. As a guide I know people hire me to put them on fish and hopefully I do a good job at that, but the concept of a guide always has a larger context. What I do is facilitate experience, yes catching fish, but more than that, creating stories, moments of awareness, memories, the stuff you can't predict. Mell Kreiger talks about the humble way one should teach the student, realizing that we are all learners; it is in that spirit that I understand the consept of "guide". I am fortunate enough to be a part of so many great moments, life long memories, and epic days where clients, who become friends, have the best time of their life. Thanks Steve!!

Your guide,
clint

11.02.2008. 13:27