Respect over Recognition
Reflections from my podcast with Captain Steve Huff
The saying goes, “Never meet your heroes.”
What it should say is, “Choose your heroes wisely.”
Steve Huff is a wisely chosen hero to many in the outdoor world — myself included.
Not because he has the biggest following, the biggest brand deals, or the biggest fish.
But because he’s lived a big life on the water — and did it in a way that demanded respect, not recognition.
If you do a quick look around the “fishing industry” you will see a bunch of folks shaped by fads, outdoor fashion, brand bragging, social media, and simply following whatever direction the wind blows that day.
Steve was shaped by his desire to catch fish and learn what’s around the next corner.
In my most recent podcast with Steve, I asked how he defines success.
He said, “I think it’s the degree of respect people have for you.”
In our world today, it’s easy to chase recognition while neglecting respect.
Likes, downloads, and views can be generated in a moment — and forgotten just as fast.
Respect takes time.
Steve’s career includes a lifetime of guiding, a long list of major tournament wins, and an unwavering dedication to doing things the right way — even when nobody’s watching.
Over the past seven or so years of chasing stories with the Captains Collective Podcast, Steve has been one of the most respected guides that guests have shared about.
It was an honor to sit down with him for a podcast and to include him in a special project I’m working on that will release in 2026 (more to come about that).
Since Steve’s never been one to chase attention, getting a day with him to record was a real privilege.
When I asked how it feels to be considered an icon, he smiled and said,
“I don’t know how that happened. I’m just a guy who fishes…a guide trying to trick something with a brain the size of a pea.”
That humility reminded me of a quote from my very first podcast with Harry Spear, one of Steve’s closest friends:
“Success is a gift. Pursue excellence.”
Steve Huff’s life is proof that if you spend enough time pursuing excellence, respect will take care of itself.
My conversation with Steve encouraged me to keep building the life I want, avoid the trap of chasing recognition, and focus on living — and treating people — in a way that earns respect.
We all have much to learn from how he has lived his life.
***See some of my favorite quotes listed at the bottom of the post.
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FAVORITE QUOTES
On Life, Freedom & Purpose
“When I hit the throttle in the morning and the wind hits my face — I own my life.”
“Life’s supposed to be an adventure. We had ourselves an incredible one.”
“I wanted to float. I wanted to make a living on a boat.”
“You’re limited only by your imagination and your will. It doesn’t mean you’ll succeed, but if you don’t pursue it to the best of your ability, you have no chance at all.”
“I think I’m the luckiest guy I’ve ever met — I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do.”
“Owning your life isn’t about control. It’s about freedom — about the wind in your face and the choices you make.”
On Guiding, Work, and Craftsmanship
“Try to learn something every day.”
“The most euphoric thing for a guide is finding a new spot — pulling in and realizing you figured it out.”
“It doesn’t take a cooler full of snapper to have a great day. You just need one defining moment where a fish yanks on your string.”
“To be a successful fishing guide, you’ve got to make it work when nothing’s working.”
“The harder you try, the luckier you get.”
“If you think a fish was there by accident — it probably wasn’t.”
“There’s no such thing as a flat that’s flat. Every flat has contours, and every contour tells a story.”
“I still go out all the time. I never go to a place I know there’s a fish — I go looking for something new.”
On Success, Ego, and Respect
“I think success is the degree of respect people have for you.”
“If you tread on people to get where you are, I don’t care how much money you have — you’re a dick.”
“If you’re good at something, people already know it. You don’t have to tell them.”
“Respect lasts longer than records.”
“Some guys are looking for a bite. Others are looking to be a hero.”
“Ego’s a distraction. It gets in the way of learning and robs you of joy.”
“I don’t care what people think of me — I care about how I treat them.”
On Curiosity, Failure, and Learning
“You have to be present to win. It’s hard to get lucky if you’re not on the water.”
“Every fish you catch teaches you something — if you’re paying attention.”
“Don’t overlook the small things. The smallest clue on the water might be the biggest truth you find all day.”
“Sometimes the fish just aren’t there anymore — the bank washed away. So you relearn. You start over. That’s the job.”
“Fishing is about pattern recognition. The fish stop for a reason. Find the reason.”
“Even after all these years, I’m still trying to figure it out.”
On Legacy and Perspective
“Nobody ever got out of here alive. What you leave behind is your children and how you treated people.”
“Twenty years from now, nobody’s going to care how cool your boat was — but they’ll remember if you were a dick.”
“You might make millions, but you’re still going to die. The only thing that matters is how you lived.”
“If seeing that fish eat doesn’t give you goosebumps — find a new job.”
“The truth is, the fishing will never be like it was. But if that thrill doesn’t move you anymore, you’re in the wrong game.”
“Respect doesn’t come from catching fish. It comes from how you live your life while trying to catch them.”
Bonus:
“I’m just a fishing guide trying to trick something with a brain the size of a pea.”
“If you tell me your spot, you’re stealing from me — because finding it is the best part.”
“Sometimes a horseshoe just falls out of your ass and you’re a hero for a day.”
“When it’s blowing twenty out of the east, I’ll run ten miles west — because that’s what guides do. You figure it out.”
“You can’t measure success in numbers. You measure it in respect.”
One of the very best.