Guide seminar

As I wind down the season and year I plan to spend a few days thinking about the future of Maine Outdoors. The first step for me is to gather the information that I will need. I like to see the financial stuff and the thoughts of my customers and of course I have a few thoughts of my own about what works, what does not and which directions to move in over the next season or two. Of course I am already committed to continuing some services by buying a new boat. (Not that I would consider for a minute not striper fishing)

I spend time regularly thinking about the business of being a guide. Not only because that is what I have for a business but as I think about teaching others in my seminars I pretty carefully think thorough what it takes to make it all work. After 22 years at it I have a pretty good idea of what a successful guide looks like, From this perspective it has been very interesting to read the comments on the Plum Creek zoning plan submitted by various environmental groups, which I am doing as part of my role representing the Maine Bowhunters Association.

As I sit on the deck and write this there are an even dozen bluebirds sitting on the power line in front of the house. I assume that they are flocking up getting ready to migrate. More bluebirds than I have ever seen at any one time in one place. Today is a gorgeous autumn day, puffy white clouds and a pleasant northwest breeze. The last week of the summer season was a gradual slowdown from what has been a very busy stretch. I had one day with three trips but others with one or two and a couple of days off on the Labor Day weekend due to last minute cancellations.

I learned this week that the Bangor Savings Bank will be partnering with me in delivering my small business seminars for guides. The relationship is part of the banks commitment to work with the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine at the new SAM conference center in Augusta. I held two seminars at the center last winter and am working on the schedule for coming sessions this fall and next winter.