GUIDE?

guide

n.

   a. One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising.

   b. One who serves as a model for others, as in a course of conduct.

I tell people all of the time, "In life, you either are a guide or you are not."

Some folks gravitate towards teaching others, no matter what they are doing. That certainly has been the case for me, whether it was coaching wrestling, teaching students & residents, guiding patients, or guiding fly fishing adventures. One either lives to teach or they don't.

I was talking to a young man just getting into the guiding business a few weeks ago. It was a great conversation. He has all of the tools be be a great fishing guide.

Even if you are not a guide, stay with me...it matters to all of us in the end.

The young man was concerned about the actions he had observed in other guides. The first thing I told him was that you cannot control the actions of others. So spending time losing stomach acid over things you cannot control will only make you sick and not help the situation.

Most importantly, we discussed the role of servant leadership. The way to change the world is not to scream, yell, and bully others into your view. In fact, the way to change your world is to lead by example.

I told him we all make mistakes along the way, but what matters is that we pick ourselves up and get better tomorrow from today's failures.

A most important concept for a guide of any type to embrace is that it is NEVER our job to judge clients (or other guides for that matter). Clients come to us with a variety experience and backgrounds. Some have never picked-up a fly rod. Some have traveled the world. Some are just easy to be around. Some are difficult to spend a day with.

Whatever their experiences and attitudes, our job is not to judge them, but to guide them. Our job is to lead the way and find a way to lead them. Our job is to find common ground to reach them and relate to them so that they get out of the day what they need.

Our job is never to compare our experiences and worry about whether we could have caught more fish, handled fish better, or just had a better attitude in general. Our job is to gently lead.

One of the hardest notions to get past as a guide is that the client should meet our expectations. We have to enter every day with only one expectation and that is to meet the clients needs for the day. A client will likely never meet our expectations because they do not have our experience. Spending your day irritated because a client does not know everything you know should leave you considering a different vocation. In saying that, quite often it is important to be able to reset a client's expectations for the conditions of the day as well.

There is a joy in servant leadership. There is nothing better than watching a client start feeling the load of a fly rod and then begin moving line efficiently. It is so satisfying to share a moment with a client when they land that fish they have been after for years. Sharing in someone else's journey is simply satisfying.

As I shared these things with the young man, he said, "You should write this stuff down and share it." I hem and hawed around about it for awhile and decided to do so. While I hope it will help others refine their thoughts on guiding, I hope it will help fishermen in general.

One of the things I see on the water all of the time is fishermen judging other fishermen. We spend way too much time worrying how others fish and if we are better or could have caught "that" fish...when we should really just be enjoying the day. 

My encouragement for the day is live and let live on the stream. No one else on the stream needs to meet your expectations. If they fish a certain way, why do you care? Let them be. There are many ways to catch fish and they are all valid. If folks are doing something illegal, call the local authorities. Otherwise, take a deep breath and enjoy your time on the water. That time is far too limited to be irritated about how others fish or be worried about whether you are a better fisherman.

Now...LET'S GO FISHIN'!

Fall Steelhead Tips!

The early Fall steelhead season is upon us across Ohio and Pennsylvania. The weather and water is

still warm and the fish are HOT! Here are a few tips to get them in your hand.

1. Back off that drag. Set the drag tight enough to keep your reel from backlashing. Keep it light and let them run. You can palm the reel when necessary or increase the drag if you feel it is necessary after the 1st couple of runs.

2. When the creeks are low and clear, look for fast deep runs for active fish. Sure, there are fish in those holes with no flow. And for the most part, you want to pass them by. If you must, strip a streamer through those pools a few times and then move on. The fish in those pools are very spooky. Your presence, shadows, and plopping your fly in the water will usually scatter them. You are not likely to catch those fish. Just move on. 

When you find fast deep cuts, they will likely hold fish. The fish are less spooky because they feel concealed by the moving water and they are more likely to feed in moving water.

3. If you have ever wanted to try swinging flies...now is the time. These early fish are very aggressive and with the warmer water temperatures, they will chase a swung streamer a long way. And, you don't have to have a 2 handed rod to swing flies, it works just as well with single hand rods. Position yourself at the top of a fast run and cast your streamer (down stream) across the stream at about a 45 degree angle. Then just let the streamer swing across the flow. The early season conditions afford you your best chance to have a big day of multiple fish on the swing. Just be ready, because when they hit, they might pull your arms off. And of course you can catch them swinging flies during any season, this is just an exceptionally good time if you are new to swinging.

4. Streamers mimicking emerald shiners work exceptionally well in the early Fall. BUT, don't hesitate to downsize your offering when conditions are low and clear. Simple hare's ear and pheasant tail nymphs always work well. And steelhead are always suckers for single egg patterns, even when there are not any eggs around just yet.

5. Do not hesitate to downsize that tippet in the low and clear. 4x is a good choice and at times 5x is not out of the question if the fish are being stubborn. That being said, landing a juiced-up fresh steelhead on 5x can be tough.

Happy Birthday!

Rosey is 10 today. She wanted to catch her 1st steelhead on her birthday. So how could I turn that down? A quick 2 hours on the water and she hooked 3 fish. Not a bad birthday at all.

I'm proud of my baby girl because of whom she is becoming. And, it's pretty cool that she likes to hangout on the water with her dad. I hope her passion for fishing persists. I realize it may not. I will always cherish the memories we have on and off the water. But you're right, I hope I have a lifelong fishing partner and I hope her children have the same passion. Either way, I am so proud of my girl. She's growing up waaaaay too fast.

Perfect 10!

Kicking off the Spring steelhead guide season has been long anticipated with this extreme Winter. Early in the season, you never know what to expect. Water temperatures are generally still pretty cool, but early stonefly and hex activity have the fish on the feed. Guiding new clients also keeps you on your toes for the unexpected.

Today was unexpected indeed. Most of the tributaries across Ohio and Pennsylvania began to open up over the past week and the rain we received 2 days ago really got things moving. And luckily, we found some water that had dropped enough to take a swing at.

John and Matt were primed and ready to hit the water. Matt is on his final weekend home for Spring

Break, so we had to make this day work. And work it did.

We hit the creek early and within no time John had hooked into his 1st steelhead. With a little coaching we were able to get it in the net. John was hooked!

Matt hooked several fish and had short battles with them, but they gave him the slip. Finally, BANG...Matt hit a serous gamer that ran him up and down the creek and this one did hit the net. Matt was now hooked as well!

From there, the water was on fire. By the end of the day, these 2 coaxed 10 fish into the net. As we walked back to the truck I reminded Matt how special this day really was because he spent it with his dad. They will both look back fondly 20 years from now at these memories burned into film. There is not much better in life than being able to guide a father and son on the water for a day and just watch them enjoy each other.

Want to make some memories on the water with a family member? Call me. LET'S GO FISHIN'!

Think Spring SALE!

I can't take this cold any more!  We need to think Spring!  Book a Spring 2014 Guided Steelhead Trip between now and January 31, 2014 and save 20%.  That's $220/day for one fisherman or $300/day for 2 fisherman.  A little planning for some Spring CHROME should warm you right ups.  Shoot me an email at patrick@fomoutfitters or Call Me.  LET'S GO FISHIN'!

Fall Steelhead Season 2013 Wrap-Up

We had a great season on the water this Fall.  Many folks complained that the numbers were down, across Ohio and Pennsylvania, but were sure landed a lot of fish.  Great clients and great fishing equals great memories.

Don't forget the Winter steelhead season across Steelhead Alley is fantastic if you can handle the cold.  And, the Spring season is booking fast.  Call me!  LET'S GO FISHIN'!

Christian Men's Retreat: March 21-23, 2014, Girard, PA

WHAT:  Christian Men's Retreat.  Join us in Girard, PA to fish the Lake Erie Tributaries of Ohio & Pennsylvania to chase steelhead on the fly on Steelhead Alley.

We will host a total of 8 men for this retreat, so don't delay in getting registered if you are interested.

WHEN:  March 21-23, 2014.  We'll meet in Girard during the morning of March 21, 2014 and depart in the afternoon of March 23, 2014.

WHERE:  Conneaut Creek Outfitters, Girard, PA

COST: $250.00 Includes your room (2 nights), meals (2 breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners), and the Men's Conference.  $125.00 deposit is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot.  Registration will close when 8 men are registered.  The remaining $125 is due by February 15, 2014.  All registrations for the retreat are 1st come 1st serve.

FISHING:  Conneaut Creek Outfitters is situated on Conneaut Creek in Girard, PA.  The property features 2 miles of private access to Conneaut Creek and is within 10 minutes of Elk Creek and Walnut Creek.  Pennsylvania's Miles Creeks are within a half hour drive and you can easily access Conneaut Creek in Ohio and the Ashtabula River within half an hour.  The Grand River and Chagrin Rivers are both within 45 minutes to an hour as well.  And last but not least, New York's Cattaraugus Creek is about an hours drive as well.  THAT'S A LOT OF STEELHEAD WATER!

We'll fish during the day and incorporate some serious "Iron Sharpening Iron" time in the mornings and evenings  The goal of all of our retreats is to meet up at a fantastic fishing destination, and go home a better man.  We are staffed with great fisherman and even better men of God.  Join us for some great fishing and prepare to be challenged!

Late March is a great time to chase steelhead on Steelhead Alley.  With all of the water available in close proximity, something will be prime for your style of fishing.

**All of the fishing on Steelhead Alley for this retreat will require wading in moderate flows.  All fishing is at your own risk.

**You will be responsible for getting your own Ohio, Pennsylvania, &/or New York Fishing Licenses for this retreat.

GEAR:
6-8-wt Single Handed Fly Rods
7 or 8wt Switch or Spey Rods

FLIES:
Egg Patterns: Pink, orange, yellow, cherise, fire orange/red, chartreuse, white. Sizes #10-#14 depending on the water conditions.

Streamers:  Leaches, Egg-Sucking Leaches, Zonkers, Woolly Buggers. Sizes #4-#8 in black, white, olive, and purple.

Nymphs:  stone flies, hare's ears, pheasant tails, Prince, Copper John. Sizes #14-#16


STAFF:

 

Patrick Campbell:  Steelhead Alley Guide and Men's Ministry Fanatic

 

 

 

Scott Brooks:  Senior Pastor, Freshwater Community Church

Fresh

It's great to be able to get out on the tribs of Steelhead Alley during the mid-week for a day of fishing.  My buddy Greg decided to take the day off and asked me to get out on the water with him.  I agreed as long as I could go along for the ride for a change.  We piled in his car in the darkness of early morning and headed to Pennsylvania.  Our old friend Elk Creek was calling and we obliged her ring.

If you would like to see some of these fresh chromers in your hands...call me.  LET'S GO FISHIN'!

This little guy was hanging along side a newly fallen tree compliments of Sandy.  He kicked our day off nicely.

Shelves...look for shelves.  And when you find them, drift along them.  This fellow will be waiting for you.

Greg had seen enough fish in my hands.  A small green egg caught this hen's attention and he was on the board.

Greg had caught a fish out of this run earlier.  It was a challenging run because it was short, deep, and fast.  As we came back to the run, I told Greg I wanted to take one swing at it.  He told me I would need to get my bugger down quick.  Watch this....  I took the indicator off my line and made one cast just above the hole.  BAM!

Ramping Up!

The numbers of fish in all of the Steelhead Alley tributaries are ramping up nicely.  The rain over the weekend helped bring in fresh fish and push fish further up into the creeks and rivers.  I was on Elk Creek this morning from daylight until about 9:00am and landed five nice fresh steelhead.

As I headed back to the truck I heard time and again about how there were very few fish around.  The fish were right where they were supposed to be this morning.  If you would like some help sorting that out, call me.  LET'S GO FISHIN'!