I’m always up for a challenge. Not to say that I wouldn’t like things to go smoothly and easily, but when it comes down to it, I try to rise to the occasion and take on the challenges that come my way head-on. As a busy fishing guide, there are plenty of challenges. Let’s be clear, though–we’re talking about challenges that are nothing when compared to some of the life’s challenges that many people face on a daily basis. My challenges are putting deserving customers on fish, dealing with wind, dealing with heavy seas at times, dealing with boat issues. Again, these are nothing when compared to the true challenges in life.
A Traverse City Bass Guide Service customer of mine a while back was a cancer survivor. He’d been in remission for a short time, and was trying to take full advantage of what a second opportunity meant. He and his wife were in the area for some much-deserved rest and relaxation. Full of laughter and smiles, it was a real pleasure to share a boat with this gentleman.
My struggle as a guide was to try my best to make sure that the experience was a great one. Fishing out on Grand Traverse Bays, the scenery is tough to beat. The fishing was difficult, though. And the wind was pretty strong, creating a lot of current, making accurate casts tough. The smallmouth bass that we were targeting weren’t nearly as cooperative as I would have liked for this particular customer, but nevertheless, he journeyed on. As a long-time angler, he certainly knew that fishing doesn’t always mean catching. We boated some nice fish, including several pushing the 5 pound mark. Not the numbers I was hoping for, however.
After fighting the wind, the waves and trying to put my customer on fish all day, I was tired by the day’s end. So was my customer. What he said to me as we parted, though, will stick with me for a long time. “I know you thought that today was a bit of a struggle. And when it comes to the fishing–it wasn’t easy.” Then he leaned in and said “but you know, it’s these kinds of struggles that put everything else into perspective. This is exactly the kind of day that I needed. It was fun–we got some great fish today. You worked hard to find fish, and keep us on fish, and for that I’m appreciative. But truly for me, it’s just being out here that matters. That’s what makes a difference in my day–just being out.”
And he’s right. Yes, I wanted him to have an easy time catching lots of fish. But working hard for something makes the rewards even greater. And for him, a cancer survivor, he was just happy to be outside on a beautiful day. As long as God’s willing–I’m sure we’ll be fishing together for a long time to come.