The Guide Life: Flipping Burgers

The Guide Life: Flipping Burgers

So, you’ve decided you want to put that hard-earned liberal arts education to good use and become a fly-fishing guide. Or, perhaps, you’ve had enough of the corporate rat race and earning a salary, and you’ve heard a higher calling to row a dory full time (the Peace Corps was option B)…

Well, I have just one question to ask: Are you going to become a well trained chef, or simply flip burgers?

A chef studies the craft. A chef innovates and teaches. A chef is all about delivering a total dining experience. To do it well takes hard work–sometimes years of learning and practice. There’s no instant gratification.

Merely learning to rig two nymph flies (three for a masters!), some split shot and a bobber, and you’ve basically put in the (fly-fishing) work to flip burgers at Carl’s Jr. Not that the world doesn’t appreciate good fast food, mind you. Goodness knows the appeal of a greasy burger can be right up there with wood fired oysters and leg of lamb, depending on where you are and what you’re craving.

But I think we all know that one meal is healthier than the other.

And I can attest the fly-fishing market appetite is much greater for chefs these days.

If you’re looking for guiding resources, and you should be, I’d check out the Guiding for the Future Program from the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana (FOAM), or even enroll in a guide school. The Sweetwater Fly Fishing Guide School (Flylab partner with 10% of all classes) has a great reputation, as well as WorldCast Anglers’ Western Rivers Fly Fishing Guide School. After that, head over to flyfishingjobs.com to find your next lodge or outfitter gig.

In the long run, investing the time and resources into honing your craft will pay a lifetime of industry, safety, teaching and on-water dividends, and your clients will thank you. – Kirk Deeter

There’s always a challenge: Aspiring guides should learn more about Captain Steve Huff, the first full-time professional fishing guide ever inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. His words of wisdom can and should galvanize you… 

Travel Guide: The Chalk Streams of England

There are roughly 300 chalk streams in the entire world, and most of them are in England–the others are in Normandy, France. They are fragile marvels of nature, pumping pure, consistently cool waters from deep within the earth through layers of ancient sediment. Some of these rivers, like the River Test and River Itchen, are where the sport of fly fishing arguably took root. Izaak Walton, who authored The Compleat Angler in 1653 fished these waters, and he is entombed in nearby Winchester Cathedral. Centuries later, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this is where Frederic M. Halford honed and advocated purist dry-fly fishing techniques; and where G.E.M. Skues engaged him in gentlemanly debate, professing the value of using nymph flies that imitate insects in their larval forms. 

Today, the vast majority of chalk streams are privately owned and managed, and thus require access fees in order to fish the best beats, and the property owners and hired riverkeepers maintain the rights to dictate how these waters get fished, vis a vis gear, flies, methods, catch limits, fishing hours, etc.

The fishing, in prime season, is predominantly dry fly, and is often very technical, requiring an ability to match hatches and make difficult casts and presentations. This is not a place to visit in order to stack up numbers or go trophy hunting. Rather, it’s a place to be honored and respected–the true value of fishing here has more to do with tradition, and methods and appreciation of the water itself, than anything else.

Read the entire travel review.

Product Buzz

We review the Ombraz Teton Armless Sunglasses. “If you’re in the market for a pair of sunglasses that stay on your face during lots of outdoor activities, but are also comfortable, durable and compact to pack, you owe it to yourself to check out Ombraz.” Patagonia announces their new line of Swiftcurrent waders. “Durable, comfortable waders built with innovative materials and intuitive features for a lifetime of hard use.” Watch the new promo video: Innovation Built on Exploration. Clay Nowak, the in-house creative at Far Bank, talks about conceptualizing the Redington Vice Miami fly rod edition: The Vice Miami Limited Edition. A first look at Costa’s Fly Line Sunglasses: “affordable and performance-driven sunglasses to the fly fishing world.” The Infinity X1 Headlamp review from MidCurrent: “one of those rare pieces of gear that actually delivers on its promises. You’re getting a premium headlamp that punches well above its weight class…” Mammut Selun FL Sun Hoody review from The Venturing Angler. A first look at the YETI / Mystery Ranch pack collaboration: The Ranchero Backpack. “My Life, In Waders” by Miles Nolte. “Quality waders change your relationship to fishing. Sure, you can gut out discomfort: leaks, frigid feet, overheating, poor fit, and for a while that might even feel like a badge of honor, but masochism has its limitations…” 

Fly-fishing News

Check out Tim Romano’s photo series Tailing Loops: Twenty Years of Flipped Boats, Punted Fish, Misfits and Semi-luminaries. It’s awesome. Oliver White on Guiding, Fishing and Adventure: “Walking into South Fork Lodge, you wouldn’t know that Oliver owns the place. He’s there to greet you, offer a drink, and talk fishing…” The Mission Issue 50 is out. “We have interviewed so many wonderful people, from the fly fishing legends we grew up hearing about to hard-charging youngsters, curious innovators and low-key DIY aesthetes…” From Todd Tanner: Can Fly Fishing Change Your Life? “At its heart, fly fishing offers an intimate connection to the natural world. That’s a blessing for anyone who believes that modern society suffers from too much chaos and too much stress…” Joining the Club from Greg Thomas: “Choosing to chase permit is a commitment to fail–a choice that says you’re willing to battle it out in your head, trying to keep that white flag at bay. It also demonstrates that you understand challenge and reward, the power of keeping faith, and stars eventually aligning.” A great interview with Captain Greg Dini on the Millhouse Podcast. “Louisiana has to be the best redfish fishery in the world…”

Recent Press

“Great piece on fly-fishing guide Patty Reilly–her contributions to the sport are truly inspiring.” – Western Rise

“Hey guys. Nice recap of the show. I agree with the previous person who commented that Flylab  always tells it like it is without the BS…” – Flylab Fan

“Can you guys onboard some fly-fishing lodges from Montana and Idaho? We’re looking for summer recommendations.” – Sally, Interested Traveler

Sally, we’re working on it…

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

Scouting Report

We’re hard at work hunting down the coolest new products, brands and partners you’ve never heard of.

Alaska Rainbow Adventures

Alaska Rainbow Adventures, owned and based in Wasilla, Alaska, specializes in exclusive Alaska float fishing adventures. For over thirty years, they’ve led anglers to the most productive rivers in Southwest Alaska and the Bristol Bay region, including the Alagnak, Kanektok, Goodnews and Arolik Rivers. Their guides are not only experts in fishing, but the Alaskan wilderness. They will share stories, knowledge and create truly immersive experiences. They prioritize safety and comfort with top-of-the-line equipment, spacious Alaskan-made tents and exclusive access to remote, pristine waters.

Flylab discount: 5% off Kanektok River July float trips–perfect for top water mousing.

Partner Spotlight

Fishwest

Fishwest is a full-service fly-fishing outfitter from Kamas, UT, offering flies, apparel, fly-fishing essentials and a multitude of educational resources, including classes, guided trips and events. The shop staff has the knowledge and experience to point anglers in the right direction for a successful day on the water. The shop is surrounded by some of the most productive waters in Utah at the base of the Uinta Mountains.

Flylab discount: 10% off all products–does not include already discounted items.

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.

Aspiring guides should learn more about Captain Steve Huff, the first full-time professional fishing guide ever inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. “When someone is paying for an experience I think you have the responsibility to try to the last measure, to the last drop of sunlight–everything you can do to produce that thrill.”