It does not seem like the Middle

It does not seem like the middle of summer, I just got started.  Were not the Walleyes and Lakers just shallow in cold water, what happened?  I guess, I just follow the fish right on out and never thought to much about the change in seasons, just went fishing. 

This year, guiding so far has been fun with lots of kids and family trips. It really is the middle of summer and I can see the cool season coming.  What must I do to prepare?  I think a lot of the prep is just follow the fish as our bait grows in size. 

On the lure front, PK I mean, its finalize placement with the distributors and get the new pricing out. Wait 'til Aug 8 or so for the new colors and the PK Predator to arrive at the warehouse and continue enjoying the relationships with our pro-staff. I love connecting with these guys, in different states or locals and fishing and being excited about the lure company. 

I continue to be surprised with what Pat O'Grady comes up with and always enjoy testing new products and variations on the spoons and crank. I am looking forward to this Ice Season as I have pulled myself out of the guide Queue ( Ice Trips upon Special request ) and will focus on lure promotion and travel ( Fishing New Areas with New Folks ).  I can't go wrong with that.  

And I continue to be blessed with a great wife, good friends, new folks and opportunities to share in God's creation of the outdoors while making a living doing so, could it get any better????? So much for the middle, its all good. 

Challenges and Changes

Challenges and Changes are what it is all about this week and last. A big shift has taken place with Bernie Keefe and myself.  I have shifted my entire fishing experience to the waters of Grand Lake. It is a cool place to fish with a variety of things to entertain ourselves with, with antique Chris Craft Boats, Bears on shore, oh and fish: Lake Trout of all sizes with most being 15"- 20", Rainbow 12" - 14", Brown trout from 12" to a few larger at 18". 

The challenge is that this is a shift form my standard lake trout bite at Lake Granby. I am loving it, it feels like practicing for a tournament. It will take a few more trips and experiments to create some additional comfort on my part. As I experience Grand Lake boy am I glad I use the Trokar hooks provided by Eagle Claw. After beginning to use these hooks a few years back I have the confidence that if the fish has the hook in his mouth he is in da boat.
 :  ) 

We are catching 8 to 10 fish in a day with a mixed bag of techniques. So far all of the clients to experience the lake with me have been really happy. Here are two testimonials from this weekend:

7-7-13 Bob C from Kentucky, " Steve was a great guide - took us to where the fish were. He was helpful with casting and jigging tips. Personable & lots of Fun."

7-8-13 Kerry H from Colorado, " I had a great time with my two young nephews!! Steve is a wonderful guide and great company."

The dark spot in the upper middle of the photo is a large male bear 
strolling along the shore.

Fishing Is Such A Wonderful Metaphor For Life

Folks, 

This is a sad blog post for me, my family lost a close friend, more of an angel recently.  He had been ill, we all had prayed and wished, but God said it was time. I always find it interesting how fishing is such a wonderful metaphor for life.  I guess it is my coping mechanism. 

I truly have little to say about fishing this week and more about how a man can live quietly and touch so many lives.  BV lived in East Texas, I knew something was up when I could never beat him to a door to open it for others, this is the quiet type of politeness folks now call pay it forward and crap like that, for BV that was how a man was given the opportunity to love someone before himself.  It really is that simple.  Thank you  BV for being such an angel to our family, your family and most of all your lovely wife D.

Ok I gotta put a little fishing stuff in here, so if I am to fish the way BV would have it would be:

1. BV would say "Cast right there I just caught one over by that stump."
2. When asked at the dock how was fishing, I would tell em how to catch em. ( there is enough fish for all of us.)
3. I would let the other guy have first crack at the spot.

Thanks for reading and please take sometime to think of those who teach us by example how to live and fish.

Thanks to Eagle Claw and staff, PK Lures and staff and Fins Premium line for the relationships which make this lifestyle possible to touch other folks lives with the craft of fishing.

Thanks,
Steve G


Oh P.S.
You want a good laugh at a professional moment of a fishing guide with lots of experience?  I was guiding an existing client and her sister whom had never caught a fish in her life. Well I got so excited when she caught her first fish, I knocked it off with the net while netting it. Now that is a professional moment.  I keep telling myself passion for the sport is far better than being calm, cool, collected and professional. : ) 

                                          It's about the time we spend together!