We were lucky enough to be able to catch up with legendary guide Hank Patterson who was good enough to fit us in to his busy schedule. For those of you who have not heard of Hank, he has released a series of videos that are a "must see" for any aspiring fly fishing guide.
Hank, how long have you been fishing now?
Spiritually, I've been fly fishing for 27 years, four months. Physically, I've been fly fishing for three or five or nine, maybe fifteen years now. These have been the finest years of my life. The worst year of my life was the year I took up the game of golf. That year ended with a my flaming golf bag flying from the edge of a cliff into the ocean. I purchased a 9'5 weight fly rod the next day.
Was becoming one of the top guides out there a natural progression?
I do nothing half way. I am either "all in" or "all out". It's sorta like a twelve pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, you either have beer or you're "all out". There's no worse feeling on the river or when you're hanging out alone near a dumpster, behind a WalMart than being "all out" of PBR. That said, when I took up Fly Fishing, I found my calling in life and my passion. I love the art, the craft, the experience of fly fishing more than anything in this world… I was instantly "all in" and immediately began to strive for the moniker of "greatest fly fishing guide on planet earth". I'm not there yet and perhaps it is an unobtainable goal, but I will continue to strive.
We asked Jason Borger in an earlier edition of ESF to define a Trout Bum. How would you?
I would define a Trout Bum as some lazy guy or gal with nothing better to do than convince themselves that spending day in and day out drinking beer or whiskey and casting a fly line equates to a fulfilled, successful and meaningful life. Trout Bums are guys without a good pair of sneakers always pretending to have forgotten their wallet when the bar tender brings the final bill. Why anyone would want to be considered a "bum", I have no clue. Fishing Guide, however, is completely different. A guide is a guy or gal with a passion to teach and share his or her knowledge of good beer and fly fishing with the masses. Sure, I spend 357 days a year on the water drinking beer and casting a fly line, but 126 of those are with my client Crazy Reese, doing what I can to make him a better fly fisher.
As a casting instructor myself could you give me some advice that I can use when teaching students?
First, tell them to forget anything and everything any other instructor has ever instructed them to do. You need a clean slate, a blank canvass. Then, simply tell them to Snap that line as hard and fast as they can. If you don't hear a snap and if your shoulder doesn't pop out of socket three or four times, you're not doing it right.
Is the Hopper Dropper the go-to rig?
It is not "the" go-to rig, it is "a" go-to rig. I have many. Each rig directly reflects my mood and not the conditions on the water. I can't control the conditions but I can control my mood.
When guiding what sort of equipment do you make sure is always packed in the truck?
Beer, sandwiches, ice cold ice, a cooler, two chairs (in case one breaks), one canister of bear spray, a knife, cellular telephone, fly rod, Rubik's cube, reel and beer and whiskey and a 2nd fly rod and flies. Please note that this is MY gear. I'm not running a rental shop, I'm not your mother. Clients are expected to bring their own gear. If you can afford my exorbitant fees, you can certainly afford food, beer and gear and do NOT forget my tip.
Have you ever forgotten something?
I can't remember.
What is the best sort of person to guide?
Somebody who listens. Crazy Reese is the perfect client. He's a man who says little, choosing, rather, to listen and soak up the vast knowledge that constantly streams from my lips. Also, somebody who understands that a proper tip is in excess of 50%. Also, a guy willing to carry my things and row the boat.
Do you enjoy guiding when size 24 tricos start hatching?
I enjoy guiding when anything is hatching. Again, unlike other guides, I don't allow the conditions to dictate my experience or methods.
Any advice on knots we should be using?
Use the same knots you use to tie your shoes. You been tying your shoes since you were a kid so you ought have that one down pretty good.
We don’t have drift boats in the UK. Do you like to get your hands on a set of oars?
I'm not a fishing butler or a tour guide and therefore I do not row. People often say "wouldn't it be awesome to have a drift boat?" The answer to that question is "NO!" I don't want to own a drift boat, I want to know somebody who owns a drift boat. The owner is the guy rowing… Think about it.
Is a drag free drift the ultimate presentation?
Quite the opposite actually. The proper presentation makes a lot of noise and creates a good white water wake on the surface. If you want to present an unappetizing bug that appears dead and diseased, then go ahead and drift it like a corpse. If you want to present a bug that looks lively, alive, fat, juicy and delicious, then you need to splash it down, drag it and bounce it all over the water.
Do you tie flies?
Only when necessary. Typically I have .89cents and can just purchase a fly. That said, I will soon be creating a tying video series for those who choose to spend their free time tying.
Are you pleased that your videos are helping reach a whole new generation of guides?
I'm pleased that the videos are helping the masses to reevaluate everything they thought they ever knew about fly fishing. We cannot learn, lest we ask questions and consider new ideas. That's the beauty of this interview actually… You are willing to ask these questions and will now walk away with a whole new perspective on your fly fishing techniques and life. I will walk away hoping you enjoyed our time together. I do not take being "your fly fishing guide" for granted. I thank you and everyone for watching the videos. Snap It! - Hank
Enjoy Hank in action...
A huge thank you to Travis Swartz for giving us access to Hank Patterson. More from Travis HERE