Retirement Announcement

This is a difficult post to write, but the time is right. I'm retiring from client-based fishing activities.

I've reached the age where it's becoming more and more difficult to recover from the daily grind of hiking trails, slipping on river rocks, sliding on muddy inclines, and fighting the lateral pressure of the river against knees that aren't what they used to be. I've also recently discovered that I have arthritis in my right shoulder (aka my "casting shoulder"). This career of mine has been an amazing journey, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, but it's put a lot of miles on me, and it's time to step aside.  NOTE: If you're already on the calendar for a trip or lesson, we're still on.

Unfortunately, this retirement will include my Alaska trips. Without guiding, it makes no sense to continue carrying business liability insurance, and without that insurance, I won't be able obtain the necessary licenses and permits to guide clients in the Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island. The 2019 trip coming up next month will be the last one.

Missouri Trout Hunter will not go away. This website will continue, and I'll continue to be involved in the Ozarks trout fishing community. I'll continue to write, and I'll continue to post videos via YouTube as I have time. The website will change, though... slowly. But it will become more dynamic. There will be more reasons to come back for a visit from time to time. And I'll continue to be active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (although I have to admit, I'm not much of a Twitter guy).

To all of you who have made it possible for me to have this dream of a career, you have my thanks.

Walt

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