Leaving Ifish

Joe Schwab · 03-09-2004, 07:21 AM

After much soul searching and waffling back and forth I made the decision last fall to leave Ifish as a paid advertiser.

Believe me, it was not an easy decision because Ifish has been very good to me. Jennie is one of the most kind and helpful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

When I left Alaska 4 years ago I was at a loss as to how to promote my guide business in Oregon. Ifish presented itself and Jennie offered me a spot with her select crew of guides.

In the 4 years I have been here I have gained a number of loyal clients who return year after year and bring in their friends.

I have opted to downsize my service and stick with the regular customers and gradually phase out of it to retirement. I doubt that I will ever give up my USCG license though.

I did everything I ever wanted to do from the time I was in college. I traveled the world in the Air Force for eight years, got out and joined OSP and became a Fish and Wildlife officer for 25 years, went to Alaska upon retirement and with the able and "unending" assistance of my wife, started up Clam Gulch Lodge and Captain J Guide Service, sold out after 5 years and moved back to Tillamook, guided in Oregon, got back into active reserve with OSP as a part time Fish and Wildlife officer and now I just want to fish for fun! No pressure!

I told Jennie I did not feel I was utilizing the spot on her guide list to it's fullest potential and it needed to go to a guide who really could use it for the great advertising tool it is.

I will remain a regular member of Ifish though. You can't get rid of me that easy!

Thanks to all who supported me, it's time to go springer fishing! As Howard Dean said, "Yeeehaw!"

Thanks again Jennie, you are the greatest! You have earned a permanent pass to fish with me. Oh, alright, Bill can come too!

Hawg Caller · 03-09-2004, 07:27 AM

Great job, glad to hear things worked out so well for you

also good to hear your not leaving Ifish as member. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] now you can spend more time giving us good advice

happy "fun fishing".

03-09-2004, 07:32 AM

I hope I see you on the water :smile:

Salmonator · 03-09-2004, 07:35 AM

Capn', I have been enjoying the "fun" fishing (ok, how about "funner". That was for you snapset :tongue: )as of recently and you will not regret it. Guiding can be very rewarding but I think those that have the full-time mindset are probably the happiest with what they do. Too many irons in the fire can really fry a simple minded guy like me [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Enjoy retirement (again)... Joe

03-09-2004, 09:02 AM

You're a great guy Joe

One of the best! Good luck in the future and thanks for taking me out in your boat.

Sturgeon Tom · 03-09-2004, 09:12 AM

Sit back and enjoy retirement when you get there and enjoy fishing for fun. :grin: Maybe sometime I will see you on the water.
st

Rodholder · 03-09-2004, 09:48 AM

Hey Joe, this is Rod, old ODFW retiree. Been fishing for fun for some time now and recommend it; really takes the stress out of life. You still have the big black boat? I am keeping pretty much to the Channel and Columbia at St. Helens and will look for you on the water. Fair start so far, five trips, five hookups and three in the boat; all on trolled herring. Good luck.

TundraIII · 03-09-2004, 09:54 AM

Congrats on your retirement Joe. I'm not sure our paths have not crossed at some point. My father is a retired OSP officer. He was stationed in Tillamook for a few years before ending up at Salem Headquarters, Lt. James Stevenson. Good luck to you and your future adventures!

03-09-2004, 10:57 AM

A class gentleman.

blacktail · 03-09-2004, 01:26 PM

Glad to hear you are still sticking around though. I've never got to fish with you, but have always enjoyed your posts.

Mike

Jennie@ifish · 03-09-2004, 02:00 PM

Joe is an awesome guy... and pretty handsome in uniform, too! :smile: :smile:

I'll miss you on board ifish, so we'll just have to join you on board your boat!

Since you posted that note, my mailbox has become over full again!

"Hey Jen, 'heard that you may have a spot open!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I don't! I have a list of the earliest 10 people to ask, and the present guides at ifish are helping me to decide on who would work best, with the team.

All in all, I believe I have almost 50 guides who have asked for the spot. Somehow, someday, we have to get that guides directory done! :smile:

Anyway, back to Joe... I bet since you posted this, your e mail box is full too. Something about non availability that makes things more enticing or desirable.

OK. Who out there have e mailed Joe for a trip since this message came out? LOL

Bill will be pleased he can tag along. :smile: You are a sweetheart, and I will dearly miss your name on the front page. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Jen

Chris Nordling · 03-09-2004, 02:09 PM

Good Luck to Capt. Hook !!

And to Jen too

.

Chris

Joe Schwab · 03-09-2004, 02:32 PM

Thanks for all the good wishes. I neglected to mention thanks to all the other guides on Ifish and a bunch that are not on Ifish. Believe me these guys work their tail off. After leaving Alaska I never really wanted to go at it full time again.

The amount of work they do to get ready and then afterwards cleaning up and getting all ready to go at it again the next morning is staggering.

It is truly rewarding work though and I have never met a guide I didn't like. For that matter I have never met an Ifisher I didn't like.

Rod, I'll be on the river tomorrow. Save a few for me.

hawgcatcher · 03-09-2004, 03:27 PM

Joe, it is about time you enjoy your retirement and do some personnal fishing. Are you going to still hang out at Paradise Cove? Say hello to the wife.

Frank

RogueFisher · 03-09-2004, 03:50 PM

Capt. Hook,

Congratulations on your retirement. Fishing for fun is not half bad.

Would love to have you down to Southern Oregon in the near future to fish the Rogue.

Maybe Grantspastor and I could set something up for Springers on the Rogue with you.

Let me know if you are interested.

:grin:

Buck · 03-09-2004, 07:04 PM

You made the right choice neighbor! How about sitting in my old boat with Tom and I this fall as a passenger? I provide the ride and Tom provides the banter. Give me a call.

SafetyChain · 03-09-2004, 08:39 PM

Joe,

Congratulations on your retirement. Based on our conversations, I know this was agonizing for you. This has been your life for so long. But now you get to do this things you love on your schedule, not your customers. Best of luck to you and your wife. I do hope we can get out again soon. I learned more from you on that one trip than any other I have been on. You are indeed a gentleman. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Gregg

greenbuttskunk · 03-09-2004, 11:04 PM

Joe,
My wife and I are really looking forward to fishing with you this summer. We'll call to get something booked.
Thanks,
greenbuttskunk

SLEDDER · 03-09-2004, 11:37 PM

Joe, you're a great guy and fishing guide! I hope you take your time phasing out of the guide business.

hookumhi · 03-09-2004, 11:40 PM

I have never met you but after reading this sure would like to someday. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

BUBBA911 · 03-09-2004, 11:51 PM

Capt. Joe..
Hope you enjoy your retirement, best of luck in all your future endevors .. hope to get a chance to fish with ya some day.. Braden

The Paramedic who transported you and your wife from good sam hospital last fall.