So You Want To Be A Fishing Guide In Alaska

Many young men come north every summer with stars in their eyes. They dream of 100 fish days, endless daylight and having all the comforts of home. While its true fishing can be incredible, most who come here aren’t prepared for the hard work for hours and days on end.

Opening Camp
I was fortunate enough to have commitments at home that kept me from most of the most strenuous days. Usually there are a variety of building projects: maybe a new deck, window installations, or walkway construction. Last year the lodge I work for built two new cabins in ten days. We hauled gravel, 5-gallons at a time, from downriver to cover up soft spots around buildings and paths. Every boat and motor must be gone through to make sure it won’t fail at the wrong time. Boats are cleaned and re-carpeted. Tons of materials are brought in and put away. Everything from tools and paint to food and toilet paper are stowed. Trash is either burned or hauled downriver to the dump. The main lodge and guest rooms are cleaned. Tackle is sorted and distributed. And then there’s the constant upkeep of all machines, water and sewage pumps, motors and other equipment. Hopefully you can find the right tool or part you need as you can’t just run down to Ace Hardware. If you need it right now, expect it at least a week after you order it. Oh, and expect it to be twice as much as you’re used to paying.

Washing Out
I came over to Togiak Village with a young guy who was hired to help around camp and guide later in the year for Silvers. He was worried about how much he’d get to guide since there seemed to be so many guys ahead of him. I told him it was likely that not every guide would make it through the season. And it didn’t take long. Through his own weakness and immaturity, one of the guides ended up quitting and going home. He had the dream of fishing 7 days a week and catching tons of fish every day. What he didn’t realize is that guiding isn’t about catching fish. Guiding is about responsibility, safety and being a team player. His ego prevented him from accepting advice and moving on, and $800 to change his plane ticket didn’t stop him either.

The guide who washed out wasn’t the only one to leave camp so far. One of the young guys hired to help out around camp had personality conflicts with the chefs. Throwing 18 people together who don’t know each other is bound to cause conflicts. Every person is just not going to get along with everyone else. This is where maturity and inter-personal skills come into play.

Bugs and Weather
So far, the weather here has been cold and rainy. The sun pops out every now and then, but soon disappears. Its nice in a way because it keeps the bugs down. When the wind dies and the sun does come out, billions of biting insects are ready to suck the life out of every living mammal around. Mosquitos, No See Ums and White Socks (a small biting gnat) will find you no matter where you are.

There’s plenty to fall in love with here and the rewards too many to mention. The quiet and beauty of the bush make up for the hardships. The personal lessons learned from sticking it out will last a lifetime. The volume of fish in the rivers is incredible. But it takes someone with character to make the most of the experience.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson