River Code Part I.

    I have never fished Tiger Woods but my boys down in Dutch John, Utah have and know a different Tiger.  There is a silent code of ethic on the river among fishing guides - "What is done or said on the river stays on the river".

   As a fishing guide, you are eyes and and an ear.  Eyes to point out fishy lies and an ear to listen to your client.  One thing is for certain, you are not a mouth.  They don't want to know about you unless they ask.  He or she may be on that fishing trip to escape the stresses of everyday life or escape the pressure of living a life not exactly molding to its design.

   I have a client who would often show up early for the fishing and more often late.  He was easy to read.  "Early" meant a long adventurous day on the river and probably some exploring new territory.  Most likely it would be a shot way up high on the Yellowstone, down low on the stone for whatever the river felt like dishing up or over to the Missouri R. Headwaters for the ultra sporty carp.  Maybe even a hit or miss jaunt to the Jeff?

   If it was getting late, we were sure to be behind the boat traffic and my client probably really just wanted to drink a beer or two, smoke a cigar and slam of few angry browns.  On those days when we were on a mission to "Get the job done", it was guaranteed that I would hear some stories and fish were to be caught.  I learned a lot about this guy, his business, family, extra curricular activity and the rest will have wait for Part II.