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.
