Posted on November 15 2009
Mike Erickson is an attorney at Summit Law Group in Seattle. He’s also a good friend of Deneki Outdoors. Mike has brought some of his best clients on fishing trips with him, and he was kind enough to put together a guest post for us about why he thinks that’s a good idea.
Thanks Mike!
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Some guys like to take their clients golfing or out to dinner. I like to take mine fishing. And there is no better way to really get to know someone on a personal level than chasing salmon or rainbow trout on the mighty Kanektok (or its sister river the Arolik). I’ve had clients up to Alaska West in early season for kings and, more recently, in late season for silvers and the famous leopard rainbows. Both are incredible fisheries in their own different ways.
Historically, I preferred the kings, mostly because of the incredible fight they put up once they’re hooked. But lately, one of my best clients has been opening my eyes to the more subtle (but no less exciting) world of rainbow fishing. For an angler like me it’s perfect because delicate presentations are definitely not required. This last year was incredible . . . the mousing in particular was a hoot.
But back to my original point – spending all that time on the river, and then telling stories over a cold beverage afterwards followed by a delicious dinner, really is a fantastic bonding experience. If any of you have clients or customers who like to fish (or even better, who’d like to learn), the unforgettable experience of bringing them along on a fishing trip more than justifies the expense. The combination of one-on-one time on the water, group time in the evenings and the countless stories as a result most definitely builds relationships that stand the test of time.