Lessons from a Montana Fly-Fishing Guide

Over 20 years ago, I attended a seminar by legendary Bighorn River fly-fishing guide Bob Krumm. Montana’s Bighorn is itself legendary, producing large, willing brown and rainbow trout.

Krumm addressed the topic, “How to Become a Successful Fishing Guide”, but much of what he said applies to Jesus followers. I liked his talk so much I emailed Bob and asked if he would send me a transcript. What follows is my synopsis and comments on Krumm’s thoughts.

Measuring success

Krumm maintains that how many (or how few) fish a client catches can’t be the measure of a guide’s success: “Don’t put your expectations for success on someone else’s shoulders”. Instead Krumm maintains that guides should make the best possible day for the client(s) given the circumstances. Maybe the weather is crummy. Perhaps the client is a newbie to fly fishing and can’t cast worth a lick. A successful guide makes the most of the situation.

Pastors and churches can get caught up in numbers. Church attendance has its place but isn’t the sole measure of success. The apostle Paul saw individual and corporate maturity as a higher goal:

“We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” ~Colossians 1:28-29 (NASB 1995)

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” ~Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Good Christian leaders, like good guides, invest their lives in the people they serve. Success for believers is maturity in Christ.

Be a good teacher

Krumm stresses the importance of teaching as “the most important part of guide’s job”. Things like fly casting, teaching knots and tying leaders, and fishing different kinds of flies demonstrates care and concern.

When guides are teachers, they will endear themselves to their clients.

Similarly, in the NT, the word for ‘teach’ means “to teach, instruct, to provide information in a manner intended to produce understanding, either in a formal or informal setting” (Wm. Mounce’s free online Greek dictionary).

In his command in Matthew 28:20, Jesus exhorts us in “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (NIV). Jesus embodied what he taught. He didn’t merely pass on information. He lived it. He endeared himself to his followers by teaching them to obey.

And as the definition of teaching says, this instruction can be in both formal and informal situations. We don’t have to be trained teachers in a classroom to teach. We simply model and pass on to others what we know.

Develop competency

Krumm believes successful guides are competent and knowledgeable in many areas, not just experts in fishing their local stream. Knowledge of human and natural history matters. Especially in the West, things like Native American history and 19th century westward expansion provide context for time on a river. Geology plus plant and animal life shape the landscape we’re fishing in: can you identify local birds? Important berries used by Native Americans? The rocks that undergird the streambed?

“Besides,” Krumm quips, “these extra tidbits will make you well rounded and bail you out when fishing is slow!”

Competency looks different for disciples of Jesus. 2 Peter 3:18 says, “Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We’ll never exhaust his grace; we’ll never fully fathom the knowledge of God. We achieve both by competency in the Scriptures.

Attentiveness to others

Krumm stresses the importance of being attentive to clients’ needs. Help them untangle their leader because a guide is more dexterous in doing that. Bear the brunt of the river’s current by being on the upstream side while helping someone wade a tricky stretch of stream. Understand beforehand their expectations for the day of fishing: Lots of fish? Just catch a fish? Big fish? Fish a certain technique? Plan ahead and provide a hot lunch on a cold day. Pack extra rain gear in case the client doesn’t.

Attentiveness makes the difference between a so-so day and a great one. Attentiveness shows you care.

Humility is a core Christian virtue. It’s exemplified by Jesus (Mark 10:45) and empowered in us by the Holy Spirit. It’s not that we ignore our needs, but we think of others also:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” ~Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Humility is fleshed out by attentiveness to others.

Following through by following up

Finally, Krumm emphasizes staying in contact with clients after a day on the water. Send them pictures electronically of their day on the river. Email them a mid-winter newsletter. There’s no doubt that people like being remembered. It may even get repeat customers for the next fishing season.

The apostle Paul named 34 people in Romans 16. Some we see elsewhere in the New Testament. Most are known only to him. But each has value in the body of Christ. Paul knows that and calls them by name. Christians value people, not for what they can do but for who they are.

In conclusion, here’s Krumm’s response to my email when I asked for a summary of his presentation: “Thanks for coming to my talk. I hope that the notes will help you to become a better shepherd of your flock.” I was a better pastor and better Jesus follower after listening to him.

A fly fishing guide will never take the place of a wise spiritual mentor. But good guides possess keen people and observation skills. I’m thankful for guides who see what I don’t, and from whom I can learn much.