Stepping back has its advantages. While guiding, standing back on the bank allows me to allow the client to figure out some things on their own. However, if I am right next to them I tend to slap their hands off the reel, or help them lift the rod, and I do a lot of yelling such as "Let go" or, "Reel, reel, reel." But if I am back on the bank, I can let them make the call. They are the captain. They are quarterbacking the play. They have to figure it out. And it is fun to watch. Often I can see the large dark form darting under the surface and I can estimate the size. Sometimes we net the fish but often we do not. All is fun. All is play. We learn. We learn again and again.
