![]() “It breeds stewardship… I feel like it’s my duty. “Fly fishing is not only what I do for a living,” he says, “it’s my sanity.” But for Hickman, there’s something more than just the fishing that keeps him out late on a miserable Wednesday night. ![]() He waves his hands around, he gets louder and words come sprinting out of his mouth at a quicker pace. Like his kid, Hickman is excitable, especially when talking about Bigfoot or steelhead or rivers – but especially steelhead and rivers. The conversation drifts from the water’s perfect shade of steelhead green on today’s river to snow levels in the mountains to the latest local Sasquatch news. A huge pot of pozole bubbles crisping sourdough flavors the air a salad attracts a few polite glances. Oly logs a few more laps around the kitchen. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I wasn’t active and vocal and doing what I can to make a difference.” Jeff Hickman. He finds small things funny and funny things hilarious, which is to say, he laughs a lot, a smile rumpling his permanent chin stubble and his chuckles rebounding off walls. Instead he’s disarming, earnest and enthusiastic – about everything. Given his size, reputation and occupation, one might expect Hickman to be a more imposing figure. He is tall, rugged and hewn from sturdy stuff that resists wet, cold and wind. Hickman is central casting’s ideal steelhead guide. Nevertheless, Hickman is in a fine mood after the float, twirling a squealing Oly around his shoulders while he talks about river levels, weather and tomorrow’s odds. By the time Hickman beaches at the takeout, it’s dark. A pair of anglers somehow got lost in the woods – that was a new one. A newbie required help learning to Spey cast. Knots needed untangling and flies needed changing. Today at the office, a short coastal stream on Oregon’s north coast, sleet, snow, rain and even squalls of hail pounded down all damn day. ![]() Hickman is a prominent steelhead fishing guide, outfitter and activist for wild rivers and wild fish. It’s been a long day for Oly’s dad, Jeff Hickman. But most of all, Oly Hickman is excited to finally have the opportunity to goof around with his old man. ![]() He’s excited by the new humans he’s just met – all of whom are talking loudly and at the same time. He’s excited about doing laps around the kitchen. At the moment, he’s excited about the carrot sticks his mom, Kathryn, is doling out. ![]() Oly Hickman is an excitable three-year-old. ![]()
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