Pro Shop | George Daniel | Lock Haven PA
Pro Shop | George Daniel | Lock Haven PA
Give a bit of background about yourself and how you started guiding/teaching
In short, I’m just someone who loves the activity of fly fishing. I try to consider myself a lifelong learner and try to set that example with everything I do fly-fishing related. I’m a former competitor for fly-fishing Team USA but am prouder of the fact that I am an educator of fly fishing at Penn State University and spend a lot of my free time traveling the country conducting seminars on numerous aspects of fly fishing
How do you manage your guiding/travel schedule around your family?
I have to first admit that I’m a recovering workaholic. I try to balance the scales over a year’s period rather than a weekly or monthly. As they say, you do need to make hay when the sun is shining. For example, there may be four to five months in a row where I’m teaching and traveling pretty much nonstop then have slow down for 6-8, where I’m home every day and able to spend every evening with the family or attending sporting events for our children. My children are now 10 and 12 and I’m slowly cutting back on travel to spend more time attending their events this coming year.
Favorite SA products and why?
I’m in love with the Amplitude double-taper fly line. So much of my fishing involves mending in the air and no matter what anyone tells you, I still have yet to find a WF taper that allows mending and line control when casting greater distances.
Any tips you have to share with other guides that make things easier for you?
The moment I realized guiding was not about me was the moment I became a more effective teacher. So many guides and instructors want to show people how great they are. However, the best teachers are the ones who want others to become great anglers through their teachings.
Favorite recent fishing experience?
Recently my wife and I had a wonderful three-week trip out West. Fished everything from Ketchum, ID, all the way up to West Yellowstone while sleeping in our rooftop tent. Dirt-bagging it for a couple weeks teaches you how little you actually need to enjoy life and your experiences.
