"Larry" wrote in message
...

"MajorOz"


I have dwelt in each of these worlds, and, though it may be just age, I
am now mostly in the "help others go through these stages" stage.



I happen to know a much sought after guide because he has field trial dogs
and friends. I've never fished with him, but we have chatted many times.
One time I commented to the effect that I felt a little sorry for him out
on Hebgen, always paddling to get the canoe in position for a good cast,
never actually making the cast. His reply was somehing along the lines
of, " I actually enjoy helping people catch fish as much or more than
catching them myself." Bet that is why he is booked years in advance.

I have some real advancement, maybe growing up ;-), to do before I could
say that. I'm not much of a fisherman, but I've been asked to accept
money to take people waterfowl hunting ( i.e. guide ) several times....
I've always said no very firmly ... I can't think of a better way to ruin
a beloved activity.


I love canoeing and canoe camping, and when I was a guide I always felt
lucky that I was able get paid for doing the thing I would be doing anyway.
Of course, with clients along it wasn't the same experience as if I was
solo, but I loved showing them the ropes as much (or more) than being out
there by myself. Eventually, however, what killed it for me (other than the
low income) was that I didn't leave enough time for myself in my schedule. I
got tired of always being on someone else's vacation.

--riverman