Wow!  After nearly 10 days of sun (and a little rain and wind, if
we’re going to be honest,) fun, fishing, four-wheeling, and generally
taking it easy, I’m back where I belong.

While out on the river, I encountered a good friend who’s a fishing
guide on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.  He’s one of the best
guides in these parts, and he’s in high demand all summer.  “It must be
great being on the river every day, watching the moose and the deer and
the swans and swapping fishing stories all day long.”

“You make it sound pretty romantic,” he replied.  “And I suppose
sometimes it is like that.  But what about those times when the winds
blowing so hard you can’t keep a fly on the water?  And what about
those times when you have a complainer, who’s never satisfied with what
he’s catching (or not catching?)  What about those times when it’s 45
degrees and raining cats and dogs and you have nothing to look forward
to but a four hour float with someone you’d ordinarily not choose to
spend time with?  I”m not on the river fishing every day.  I’m on the
river helping someone else fish.  I’m not on the river having a great
time every day.  I’m on the river ensuring someone else has a great
time.  There’s a difference.  Believe me!”

Which leads us back to the quote by Curt  Bourne:  “Be careful what
you wish for.  Because when you start to get paid for doing what you do
for fun, it’s not fun anymore.”  I guess that about says it all.