The Best Part of Guiding Isn’t Always the Fish 🎣
- matthewliebel
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
When most people think about a guided fishing trip on Lake Sakakawea, they usually picture:
bent rods,
big walleyes,
full livewells,
and fish photos at the end of the day.
And don’t get us wrong—we love all of that too.
But after spending countless days on the water with clients at Liebel's Guide Service, we’ve realized something important over the years:👉 The best part of guiding usually isn’t the fish.
It’s the moments that happen in between.
Watching Kids Catch Their First Fish Never Gets Old
There’s just something special about watching a kid catch their first walleye.
Sometimes it starts with:
a missed bite,
a tangled rod,
or a nervous cast.
Then suddenly:🎣 “FISH ON!”
The excitement, the smile, the yelling across the boat—it never gets old.
And honestly, most kids don’t care if it’s a trophy fish or not. To them, it’s the biggest fish in the world. Those are the moments parents remember for years.
Fishing Trips Slow Life Down
Life moves fast. Schedules get packed. Phones never stop buzzing. Everyone’s busy. But out on the lake, things slow down. There’s something about spending a full day in the boat together that creates conversations you don’t always get during normal life.
We’ve watched:
dads reconnect with sons,
grandparents fish with grandkids,
lifelong friends laugh like they’re teenagers again,
and families make memories they’ll talk about for decades.
Fishing gives people a reason to unplug for a while.
And that’s pretty special.
The Repeat Clients Become Friends
One of the coolest parts of guiding is seeing familiar faces return year after year.
Some clients started out as complete strangers. Now?
We know their stories.
We know how they like to fish.
We know who drinks the most coffee in the morning. ☕
Over time, many clients stop feeling like “customers” and start feeling like friends coming back for another day on the water. Those relationships are one of the best parts of this job.
It’s the Laughs People Remember
Oddly enough, some of the most memorable moments from guide trips have nothing to do with fish.
It’s:
the missed net jobs,
the jokes in the boat,
the unexpected weather,
the “one that got away” stories,
and the nonstop laughter throughout the day.
Years later, people often don’t remember exactly how many fish they caught.
But they DO remember:
👉 who they were with
👉 how much fun they had
👉 and the stories they still tell afterward
That’s what makes fishing trips meaningful.
Sunsets & Stories Hit Different on Sakakawea
There’s something about a long summer day ending on Lake Sakakawea that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.
After hours on the water:
rods are laying on the deck,
the wind starts calming down,
the sun drops low over the lake,
and everyone’s just sitting there talking about the day.
Sometimes the best conversations happen on the ride back to the dock. Those are the moments that stick with people. Not because of the fish count……but because of how the day felt.
Fishing Trips Become Memories
At the end of the day, fish are great.
But the memories? Those are what people carry with them long after the trip is over.
That’s why guiding is about more than simply finding walleyes.
It’s about:
creating experiences,
building memories,
and helping people enjoy time together on one of the greatest fisheries in the country.
And honestly? That’s what makes the early mornings, long days, and nonstop grind worth it every single time.
Come Make Some Memories This Summer
The summer bite is heating up on Lake Sakakawea, and we’d love to have you in the boat.
Whether you’re:
bringing the kids,
planning a family trip,
or just looking for a great day on the water with friends…
…we’ll do everything we can to make it a trip worth remembering.
📅 Summer dates continue filling quickly.
📞 Call/Text: 701-770-6746
💻 Book Online:Liebel’s Guide Service Booking Page
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