Catching Life, Business Lessons From Legendary Fishing Guide

I read a fascinating article about a fishing guide by the name of Steve Huff. Huff has been a fishing guide for 43 years and is considered one of the best in his profession. Last year, he was inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame and, the editor and publisher of one fly fishing website called him "the best guide who's ever lived, period."

Now anytime someone is recognized as being the best at what he or she does, whether it's teaching, athletics, or business, I take notice. I know that it takes dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence to reach the top of one's profession and that's exactly what Huff has done.

So after reading the article, I did what any dad would do. I handed the magazine to my 14-year-old son, Brayden, and said, "Read this. It's a great story about a very interesting man who happens to be a fishing guide. Not only might you learn something about fishing, but there are some great business lessons in there as well."

My son did read the article, because at 14 he's an avid fisherman. In fact, he can sit in a boat for hours all alone, just him and nature -- and those elusive fish. He has the patience to fish all day just on the possibility that he might hook the big one. And when he doesn't, he's more determined the next day. It's something I admire in him because I never had the patience that he demonstrates and still don't today.

Brayden read the article and commented on a few of the fish stories that it contained, but what he did next surprised me. As he finished reading the article and closed the magazine, he said, "So Dad, what's the business lesson in this?" That's my boy! He didn't know it but I had hooked him. Now I just had to reel him in.

I told him that I thought there were many business lessons that could be learned from Huff's story.

1. Huff started fishing at age 10 and fell in love with it immediately. He went on to college, studied marine biology, and, after graduating, decided to pursue a career doing something he loves. I tell my kids, "Decide what you love to do and then figure out how to make a living doing it." It's like Confucius said, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. That's exactly what Steve Huff did, and he's been happily self-employed for 43 years.
2. Steve Huff also took a risk early on that has paid off. He was willing to bet on himself. Immediately upon graduating from high school, and with no real experience as a fishing guide, he convinced his mother to co-sign a loan for him so he could purchase his first boat. Huff had a vision of what he wanted to do and was willing to take the risk and put in the effort to make it pay off.
3. Those who have fished with him -- and there have been many -- say that Huff brings a great deal of intensity to his fishing and expects the same of those he guides. He sets a high standard for himself and leads by example. His approach allows him to demand the best of those he leads -- even when they're paying him to take them fishing.
4. Huff is a servant leader. He measures his success by how well his clients do, not by how much money he makes. As a result, his clients are extremely loyal. "How loyal?" you might ask. Well, he has only taken on one new client in the last 20 years. He has a list of about 15 regular clients who keep him busy year-round. One client has fished with Huff for 37 straight years and another for 35. You don't earn loyalty like that if you don't provide the customer with exactly what they're looking for from you.

You see, Steve Huff has risen to the top of his profession through hard work and dedication. He has spent a lifetime getting paid to do something he loves. He has taken some risks that have paid off. He demands a great deal of himself and of others. And, his approach to his business has earned him a clientele that is incredibly loyal. I'd say that Huff has it pretty well figured out. Not a bad lesson for a 14-year-old or for all of us.

Thanks to Dan Oswald / Oswald Letter