We are now kicking off our 2019 fishing season and I think it's time to share the rest of the story. What is it truly like to live in the guide world? Here is your behind the scenes take. When last we left off, I was describing spring and it's trials and tribulations. Amongst the chaos is a zest of excitement, winter fades bringing the first glimpse of warmth and renewal of spring into the exuberance of summer. Full on guide mode, here we come!
You may ask, what is "guide mode?" It is the fishing frenzy of summer! Full speed ahead, often times 20 day runs on and on until fall. Here in Western Montana, we are blessed and cursed with several rivers close by, those being: the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Rock Creek, and Missouri, to name a few and our most common haunts. Sometimes floating a different river with several miles in between each day. All depending on conditions, boat traffic, and variety for our guests. This means that it is fortunate the sun is up a long time to accommodate the long days. When our kids were little (okay, and now too) we were eager for Brooks to have a day off and we were ready to float! This was probably one of the last things he wanted to do, as he had been rowing so much I was surprised his arms weren't just bloody nubs tied to the oars. Often times we were quite happy for a picnic or shooting targets. Anything, as long as we were out together. If we had guests that cancelled last minute for any reason, we could be ready in the blink of an eye for some family time. I remember one not so quality time though.
My sweet Mother-in-law bought our kids a swing set. I was sure I could put it together myself, but when I got it home most of the pieces weighed more than me and would require at least a small army to hold them up and bolt them together. After seeing the pieces stacked so nicely, and the climbing wall so inviting, our kids were eager (and so was I) to get it up and running. I should set the tone here, this was July 4th or 5th, in the middle of a heat wave and Brooks had worked every day for several weeks. Finally a day off! I think he had dreams of lounging in the shade sipping lemonade. Mine were of that, yes, while the kids laughed and played ON THE SWING SET. I was sure it would be a quick set up if we put our heads together with a mellow relaxing day to follow. What really happened was a scorching day of confusing Hell! The directions were a mess! Nothing seemed to fit together the first time, or the second time. We did eventually get it after several hours of tears, toil and angst. I think that if there is anyone in the market for efficient methods of torture I could hook them up with some ideas.
As summer scorches on there is a certain burn out at the end. When fall and the end of the season are peeking around the corner, tempers flare and tend to be short. Guide chats and interactions that at the beginning of the season were quite civil and often times jovial become terse and quite frankly catty. Home life is much the same. The end of the season being so near with cooler temperatures and typically great fishing grouped with a whisper of renewed sanity are almost within reach. I think this seasonal work could be compared to childbirth. That once the season is over, you are proud of your perseverance to get through it all yet your brain glosses over the more subtle Hells you've endured. Leaving you with a certain zen when faced with the upcoming season.
If your husband also guides hunters or travels to warmer climates to continue...well, that is a whole chapter that should enjoy it's solid own place in the limelight. I hope you have enjoyed the read. If you have, don't despair, the season is just beginning with plenty of tales that will need to be told.
Comments
Post a Comment