I am sorry that you feel this way Joe...

You say you are not blaming the new guides but that is precisely what you are doing. Quiting and blaming it all on the younger guides and guys on the river is really lame and using them as a scapegoat is not the right way. You have been a highly respected and great guide, don't just blame the up and coming and quit. Nothing ever stays the same and everythign evolves, most change with it and those who don't are usually left behind feeling empty and lost.

Are their lots of reasons why the new "guides" suck and are ruining it for lots of people?, yes and most agree with your perspective... But that is not the underlining issue. Plenty of other stuff to give good reason for not wanting to be a guide anymore.

The rivers are overcrowded, overfished, overnetted, overregulated, and most of all overguided. This isn't the good old days anymore and it surely is going to get worse, not better (the truth). The way of the guide is a tough life and if you can't handle it anymore than so be it but don't blame everybody else for it. There are plenty of other guides that continue to have a positive attitude no matter what and find a way to make it work (like Ray Ray for example).

You are so good at many other things and I know you will be succussful at whatever your going to end up doing. I wish you the best my freind and hope to see you soon and get some days on the water before its over this year. I hope you can find peace in whatever you end up doing. I'm sure glad to see you found a new girl and are happy.

Long live the KING...