Trevor Covich is a multi faceted, long time employee of Deneki Outdoors. Trevor has pretty much grown up surrounded by water and all things fishing and has made it a lifelong effort to make fishing dreams happen for his clients and friends. Trevor is still very much a kid at heart, but he guides with a very high level of professionalism. That mix makes for a great time on the river, but you will still learn as much as you can take in and you will still be pushed to your limits, and it will be fun. Trev stays pretty busy with his winter guiding in Washington state, summers in Alaska, and random trips in between. Luckily we tracked him down between fishing trips and he was more than happy to answer a few questions about himself and his love affair with fishing.
DO: Deneki Outdoors, TC: Trevor Covich
DO: How long have you been guiding or working with Deneki Outdoors / Alaska West Overall?
TC: Overall 10 full seasons and a silver season. Started at 18 as a camp hand doing all the fun stuff like “Poo” wrestling, fuel/freight/food transfers, and everything else to do with making the camp work. I have also worked at Andros South as a host manager and Chile West as a guide.
DO: Do you have a nickname? How did you obtain it?
TC: T, just cause!
DO– What do you do when you’re not working for us in Alaska?
TC: I spend the winter and spring guiding steelhead anglers in Washington state out on the Olympic peninsula. I also operate an AirBnB and rentals for tourists visiting the area wanting to access our rivers, beaches, and hiking trails in the rainforest near Forks, Washington.
DO: What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
TC: I’m super weird and constantly whistling whatever is stuck in my head
DO: If you weren’t a guide, what would you be doing?
TC: If I wasn’t a guide I would have liked to fly helicopters for tourists, skiers and anglers. Now that I’m older, real estate.
DO: What is one skill you wish you would have learned or would like to learn better?
TC: I wish I was more tech savvy. I’ve spent my life in the woods or on the river so learning more computer skills would be useful in “today’s world”.
DO: What made you want to be a guide?
TC: I floated the Kanektok river when I was 14 and I met a fishing guide that eventually asked me if I wanted to work at Alaska West. Also freedom, I wanted to be a wild man in a jet sled!
DO: What are some personality traits that help make a great guide?
TC: I would say confidence, competence, and common sense are important for a guide to have, but those are things we all need to be successful. Being able to adapt to different kinds of personalities in people is a great asset as far as clients are concerned. Fishing was the easy part.
DO: What do you think is the best thing about Alaska West?
TC: What I liked best about Alaska West is pretty simple. Good accommodations next to spectacular fishing. Alaska West is a special place, if you’ve been, you understand why. Great for all levels of anglers and age groups. Tight-knit staff….. This is important and really rare at most lodges. Happy staff translates to a better experience for clients. I also worked for Deneki’s Bahamas Operation, Andros South, it is a great lodge for people who want to get away for a 3-day trip or a full week. The beaches in front and next to the lodge are very relaxing, especially with a cold beverage. Experience fresh seafood from local fisherman and conch divers. The size of the lodge is great as it’s more personable with fewer clients. Pro tip, don’t assemble your fishing rod in your room or else the ceiling fan might get it.No Joke!!
DO: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the fishing industry will face in the next 5 to 10 years?
TC: I’m more worried about the lower 48 than I am of Alaska. I’m worried steelhead will get ESA listed in some places and salmon populations will keep taking hits due to over-harvesting and tough spawning conditions. So the anadromous side of the industry has the hardest road going forward. Alaska is doing much better at management but still has its issues.
DO: What do you think makes a successful day of fishing?
TC: Catching the fish you were looking for along with tons of laughter and jokes.
DO: What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a guide?
TC: It’s a great life, but not easy. If you’re a traveling fishing guide, be ready to not see the family or girlfriend for months at a time. Save your money instead of blowing it after a long guide season. Have a plan “B” in case the guiding doesn’t work out. You may like rowing a boat now, but what about when you’re 50-60 years old? What if your fishery closes? Just be ready…
DO: If you had a warning label what would it say?
TC: Don’t ask the question if you’re afraid to hear the answer. I wasn’t born with a filter so random things may fall out of my mouth.
If you would like to contact Trevor to say “Hello” or maybe even book a winter steelhead trip with him make sure to contact him at the addresses below. I’m sure he would love to hear from you!
Email; Opflyguy@gmail.comInstagram; @trevor_covich
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