Dennis,
I just got back from 2 weeks in Montana and Wyoming camping and fishing with the family. The ideal trip. Upon return I checked your website as I usually do each Sunday. It is part of my Sunday evening routine. I have learned much from your website and even more from your guided trips. As you know, I have been on your guided trips to the Grand Ronde, Skagit for Pinks, Neah Bay, Skykomish for Winter Steelhead, and Stilly for Summer steelhead. I have since shared my knowledge with my friends and kids and had some great experiences. Thanks for the information you have provided. I look forward to this years Pink fishery. This will be the first year I can apply what I learned from you 2 years ago. This year I plan to fish the river with my 8 year old and twin 6 year olds. They all are really starting to enjoy fishing. Kids have much more fun fishing when they catch fish and thanks to what I have learned from you I have know doubt we will be successful. I must confess I kept your trick fly for catching pinks on the floating line: however, out of guilt I promise not to share the fly with anybody but my daughters. Just as since first fishing the cop car 4 years ago I have never shared it either. Just thinking about the Skagit fishery reminds me of a funny story. You will probably remember the incident as it is one of the negative sides of being a guide. Just lets say do you remember the pair that showed up 2 years ago prepared to fish but had no waders? I still laugh about what you and Mike had to deal with that day. I am already planning my annual trip to the Grand Ronde with my Dad. We will be floating from Bogans to Heller. Hope to see you on the river.

Take care,
Brian Person


PS, will you be fishing Alaska next year?

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for the heartfelt letter. The Cop Car and Humpy Skater are for you. Thank you for your discretion.

Years ago when I first started guiding, I thought it was all about the fish.
Then I decided it was about beautiful surroundings and the fish.

I finally decided it was the wonderful friendships I have developed over some 17 years of guiding. The places and fish are almost a bonus. Many of my closest friends, are clients I have grown up with in my fishing business in these past years. Thank you for being one of them.

I can put up with crazy way our WDFW manages our fisheries,sometimes. I can even handle the character bashing, I sometimes hear about, by the wise and wonderful who prowl the boards informing guys of who is popular, and who (at least in their mind), is not.

The good stuff for me is my friends & clients I have developed over the years. You represent the guy I care about. Thanks for being you.

The clients with no waders? Oh yeah, I gave them their money back, but those kind are rare. Mostly I see nice people.

Best of fishing,

Dennis

PS Alaska: Yup, May for steelhead, June for Kings, August for Rainbows