I moonlight as a fly guide.  It's one of the best jobs I could imagine.  

Granted, you bake in the sun, or freeze in the wind, and sometimes those fish don't cooperate. No doubt, you can make a lot more money as an orthopedic surgeon or a trial lawyer. But the thing is, when people come to see me on the river, they're always in a good mood.  When people go to see the doctor or the lawyer, they're usually not in a good mood.  

In fact, just a couple days ago, I had the pleasure of fishing with Mary Ficco (pictured here).  Turns out, it wasn't any old trip... that fishing day was a Christmas present.  You tell me who wants to go see the doctor or the lawyer (or visit the Department of Motor Vehicles) as a Christmas present.  Some ladies want Santa to bring the bling... Mary wanted to catch fish on flies.  How cool is that?  

Oh, Mary caught those trout.  Often.  Great time. Great day.  And it reminded me how lucky I am to get to spend time on the river with good people.  

So Happy Holidays, Mary.  

And here's hoping you all put a little fly fishing something on your holiday lists. Naughty or nice, I hope you get it.

Anyone have fly stuff on the wish list already?

Deeter 

Comments (8)

from Alex Pernice th... wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Well, A Helios would be awesome... (Not gonna happen)

Yea, I am getting some more boxes (Took on to using Plano bass boxes for big streamers...)

Looking into reels for spey, and still am trying to figure out how the heck the sizing method works. (Spey lines have a belly the size of a 14 or so wt line) and it needs a LOT of backing room. (Any suggestions???)

And of course, always looking for leaders and tippet. (I just buy large bulk spools of mono for tippet) I have a hard time finding leaders under 5 bucks around here, found some steelhead ones at Cabelas for 77 cents each, bought about 50.

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from buckhunter wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

I have the equipment. I just don't have the time.

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from tobewan77 wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

/\ buckhunter - what he said

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from Alabama Flygirl wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Well, Merry Christmas to Mary. That is a nice fish! Sounds like a great day. Fly fishing trips/stuff dominate any birthday/Christmas list in this house!

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from Sue Melus wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

You said it Kirk. My husband Glenn probably can make more money at his painting business, but guiding is a passion for him. He loves seeing people who thought they could never do it get a fish on the line. We have lots and lots of pictures of his clients with smiles on their faces. That's what it is all about.

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from texasfirst wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

I'm with buck. Extra time to fish would be really nice. Three day weekends are a nice. Except weekends, esp. three-day kind, are packed with other anglers.

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from aragonnapoles wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Fly fishing guiding is the job of my dreams.

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from donaldg wrote 5 weeks 5 days ago

You go girl, I hope cliff diving is not on the Christmas list. Did you keep the fish?

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from buckhunter wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

I have the equipment. I just don't have the time.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Alabama Flygirl wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Well, Merry Christmas to Mary. That is a nice fish! Sounds like a great day. Fly fishing trips/stuff dominate any birthday/Christmas list in this house!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sue Melus wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

You said it Kirk. My husband Glenn probably can make more money at his painting business, but guiding is a passion for him. He loves seeing people who thought they could never do it get a fish on the line. We have lots and lots of pictures of his clients with smiles on their faces. That's what it is all about.

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from donaldg wrote 5 weeks 5 days ago

You go girl, I hope cliff diving is not on the Christmas list. Did you keep the fish?

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from Alex Pernice th... wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Well, A Helios would be awesome... (Not gonna happen)

Yea, I am getting some more boxes (Took on to using Plano bass boxes for big streamers...)

Looking into reels for spey, and still am trying to figure out how the heck the sizing method works. (Spey lines have a belly the size of a 14 or so wt line) and it needs a LOT of backing room. (Any suggestions???)

And of course, always looking for leaders and tippet. (I just buy large bulk spools of mono for tippet) I have a hard time finding leaders under 5 bucks around here, found some steelhead ones at Cabelas for 77 cents each, bought about 50.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from tobewan77 wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

/\ buckhunter - what he said

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from texasfirst wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

I'm with buck. Extra time to fish would be really nice. Three day weekends are a nice. Except weekends, esp. three-day kind, are packed with other anglers.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from aragonnapoles wrote 5 weeks 6 days ago

Fly fishing guiding is the job of my dreams.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.