The excitement is building as the 2024 steelhead season quickly approaches. Winter is finally loosening its grip and giving way to Spring. Life is returning – birds, vegetation, and fish. And for us it means pre season preparation is in full swing.
Each year we look forward to this moment. As most people know, winter in Alaska means shorter days, worse weather, and not much opportunity for fly anglers. For us in southeast Alaska, on the line of winter and spring, everything changes and our favorite species, wild steelhead, arrive.
Before we’re able to head out on our first trips, there is a lot of behind the scenes work that needs to happen in order to make sure our April trips are a success. All of the boring admin stuff happens around this time (and then is usually somewhat neglected once the weather gets nice).
The list always seems to grow faster than it gets checked off, but it’s a necessary and important part of being able to provide the service that we do. Many people think an outfitter’s work only takes place when they are out on trips and the rest of the time they are “off”.
In reality, that’s just the only time payment is coming in, but the work is non stop and year round. The offseason is when most of the work outfitters and guides try to avoid by becoming outfitters and guides needs to happen.
For us, it means a lot of paperwork. Figuring out all of the business finances, accounts, and taxes (which will forever be the most confusing thing in the world). It also means updating any certifications or licenses that are required.
It’s also important that everything is in order for our permits and other documentation that allows us to guide in the areas we do. Like taxes, this can also be a confusing and sometimes frustrating process but it’s important to remind ourselves of the days in the field that make it all worthwhile.
While trying to categorize expenses it can be easy to forget about the weeks spent on Sally Girl visiting new rivers and seeing whales, porpoises, bears, and moose. They “why” keeps us going though, of seeing the Tongass National Forest, of helping people experience this amazing place, and the unmatched feeling of seeing them hook a wild fish.
Then there is the advertising and marketing – a skill we are still learning. In 2024 we will be featured in the Petersburg Visitor’s Guide for the first time, and we also made a trip to our first trade show at The Fly Fishing Show in Bellevue.
The show was a lot of fun and we met a lot of great people. We weren’t sure what to expect, but even though the travel from Petersburg was expensive, in the end it we’re glad we attended. We were able to catch up with some old friends at Emerald Water Anglers and make some new ones at Whitepine Outfitters, TroutMount, and Wildman Lodge.
Along with the admin items, there is also the mechanical and gear related pieces of getting ready. Boats are the opposite of “set it and forget it”. It takes constant work, upkeep, and maintenance to keep them going.
For us, that means keeping up on several boats, the main one being “Sally Girl”, our 45 ft. Liveaboard that serves as our home during the multi-day expedition trips. There are the standard mechanical systems that need to be maintained, as well as plumbing, electrical, and cosmetic work.
This year, she received some updates on the roof that required serious work – chopping part of the roof and re welding large pieces. In the end, it will help with hoisting the jet raft we carry along, but it doesn’t happen magically.
The skiffs also need to be taken care of. Luckily, we use those even during the winter so they’re usually primed and ready to go, but there is also some work to be done.
Next, it’s the gear preparation. This means taking stock and inventory or all items we need – waders, boots, rods, reels, lines, leader, tippet, flies, etc. If we do need anything, it needs to be ordered sooner rather than later. Things tend to take a little longer getting up here.
And of course, as the season nears the urgency to finalize our prep increases, but so does the urge to get out and do some fishing. Nice weather days can be torture when you are prepping, but you know there could be fish in the rivers. It’s even more agonizing after waiting months and months through winter.
Even with a large to-do list and no fish around, we’re still able to get out and enjoy the outdoors, it’s usually just without a fly rod. It can also be the perfect time to travel.
This last year Kevin was able to spend a week fishing Sanibel Island in Florida where he caught his first snook. From Florida, he traveled to Mexico and spent 10 days in Xcalak fly fishing.
It was an incredible trip and the sun and warm weather were very welcomed. To top it all off, he also caught two permit and can’t wait to get back down again during another off season.
We also spent time out crabbing, searching for Tanner and King Crab. Last winter was extremely successful and we were fortunate enough to enjoy a crab dinner almost every weekend – this winter was the opposite.
There was also some cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and a lot of time indoors enjoying the company of friends and family.
Overall, it was a great off-season but we’re beyond excited to get back out there and see some rivers. Here’s to 2024!