It's early September in Alaska and I have one more month of guiding to go. Knowing the end is near gives me the strength and hope to make the final push. I may actually make it through my first season. The weather is cold and rainy, and my second heavy rain jacket is blown out so I expedite ship a new one to get me through my remaining time here.
On Saturday night the guides hang out and have fun - music, dancing, and lots of laughter. It's a great way to unwind before our new guests arrive. Our group this week is returning guests who know the program and love Alaska - and they've brought their adult children and spouses for their first experience. It's a lot of fun! We hike, run jet boats, and row some technical rivers. Logan and I take the kids to our favorite pike lake and I realize this will be the last day I will guide with him, so I soak in the day even though the rain just pours on us. One the last night of the week, the guests hand out awards to the guides and I receive "netter of the week," something I feel accomplished about given a couple mishaps with netting I had early in the season. And before I know it, another Saturday with the guide crew comes and goes.
The next two weeks fly by. I have a scary jet boat moment on one of our rivers and crack the cowling on the motor. I nervously tell Bill what happened and he's so gracious to me.
"Becca, did anyone get hurt?"
"No, Bill. We were heading downstream and discovered a tree that had fallen over across the river and immediately turned around. But it was too shallow to get on step and, despite jumping out to maneuver the boat, the motor hit the tree and put a crack in the cowling."
"All good, Becca. You did your best and everyone was safe. Go rest and get ready for the next day."
His ability to see me beyond how I see myself gives me the confidence to continue the week. Two days later, one of my guests catches a 29.5" rainbow and I feel back on my game.
In the last two weeks of the season, I encourage myself to just have some fun out here. Guiding is still tough, but I'm stronger now and able to carry rafts without wanting to cry, hike 7 miles with gear and feel energized, and change tactics with confidence since I've seen these rivers and hunted these fish for several months now. Evenings are spent prepping rigs and painting beads, and days are spent on the water in some of the harshest elements. I learn how a good day can turn tough with a bad weather plane pickup, and a tough day can be made whole on the final drift (three 24"s for two of my guests!).
Our last week of the season arrives and we get to host a large family of 11 wanting to experience Alaska for the first time. They aren't really into fly fishing, but are excited to learn. We have said goodbye to Logan and Happy for the season, so we have Schuyler and Andy filling in as guides. We are all tired from a long season, but the new energy around the lodge is invigorating. At the end of the week, Bill pulls the guides together and affirms each of us with the things he sees and appreciates. When he finally gets to me, he takes a long pause.'
"And Becca, you just crushed it this season."
"Crushed it or crashed it, Bill?"
*everyone laughs knowing I definitely banged up some jet boats and rafts over the season*
"Crushed it, Becca. You really came to life out here. We knew you had what it takes."
I walk away with thankfulness. Not only for Bill, who believed in me, but for the guides and the staff who encouraged me along the way. Later, Bill pulls me into his office.
"Becca, how are you feeling about next season?"
"I want to come back. I started something here, and it took me some time to really get on my feet, but I feel good and am excited to come back for a second season and put all the lessons and training into place and hit the ground running."
It's hard to believe these words are coming out of my mouth so effortlessly. I really mean it. We end the meeting with the plan to get a contract for season two in my hands soon.
***
Fast forward seven months, and I arrive back in Alaska for my second season. When I see the lodge again, it feels as though I never left. And I immediately get back to work. Let's go!
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