It has been a lean spring with no guide trips for me and my fellow guides.
The coronavirus has had a severe impact on my life as well. My wife, Lori, and I have been hunkered down for weeks with fishing trips as our only breaks from the monotony. Now, Governor Asa Hutchinson has opened the state up to outside visitors, which will allow us to once again work as fishing guides.
As the trips have started coming in, I have had to think about how to protect my health and the health of my clients. We have been fortunate here in Baxter County to only have five cases of coronavirus, all of which have recovered. This could change as visitors from outside the state begin coming in.
At 73 years old, I have no desire to get this infection or take it home to my wife. Though she is much younger than I am, she also has no desire to catch it.
Therefore I have developed guidelines for a safe guide trip to protect me, my wife and my clients. These guidelines would also be useful for fishing trips with friends and family. A fishing trip is a healthy way to get some sunshine and fresh air. These are a few suggestions to make it as safe as possible.
Chat with your clients before you meet with them. Do they have fever, a severe sore throat, and a dry cough, or have they been around someone who is infected with the virus? Make sure they are reasonably healthy before you start your day.
Meet them at the ramp or access. In the past I would often pick my clients up at their lodge, hotel or home and take them to the river in my car. This could infect you and your car. If you should drive them in your car, you should wear a mask, have them wear a mask and disinfect your car afterwards.
Maintain your social distance at 6 feet where possible. This is going to be difficult in a river boat. My boat is 20 feet long, and my clients can maintain a proper social distance from each other, but I will be about 5 feet from the client in the back seat. Therefore, I will wear my Buff (a face covering designed to protect you from the sun but also a functional face mask) when in a social distance of less than 6 feet. Invite your clients to do likewise. Carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, and use them often.
Lunch is a problem. Instead of preparing sandwiches and sharing condiments and chips at the picnic table, buy prepared lunches with everything proportioned and separately wrapped beforehand.
Sit away from your clients to maintain proper social distance, maybe in the boat. Wash your hands before and after lunch. Bag and dispose all waste properly. After the trip is over, wash your hands and carefully sanitize your boat.
By following these simple guidelines, you and your clients will be much safer.
See more at: Baxter Bulletin
