Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Article

An Article About Chris Nischan

By David Van Hooser

Think about this: you work in a profession where your clients range from near-experts to first-time rookies. Your day's wages may be fat or lean. You're either praised or blamed for the behavior of wild animals. And you often have to practice psychology without the benefit of a degree.

Welcome to the world of Chris Nischan, Professional Guide!

Along with being a co-host of Wild Side Weekly Online and a past winner of the Field and Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, Chris is also the head guide and owner of Rod and Gun Guide Service based in Nashville. As a seasoned hunting guide and fishing guru, Chris has been sharing his passion and teaching his craft to fellow outdoor lovers for over 20 years. "It started in 1984," says Chris, "when I was a partner in an upscale hunting and fishing store. Every once in a while I would help out a customer as an instructor and guide. Before I knew it, people were paying me and encouraging me to do that 'guide thing' full time."

And so he is. For a 10-year period, Chris guided hunters through the big sky country of Montana in the pursuit of elk and antelope. Upon his return to Tennessee, Chris set his sights on leading hunters to other game such as duck, turkey and deer. But as rewarding as it is to teach his clients the ways of the woods, Chris finds himself spending much more time on the waters of Tennessee. "I've been a fishing guide for folks from all across the U.S. and Europe, " said Chris. "All kinds of people: doctors, artists, engineers, teachers..."

And that's where the psychology part comes in for the professional guide. "A guide has to read personalities," said Chris. "In just a few minutes I can usually tell what kind of person I'm spending the day with. And I have to talk to that person on his or her level. I work to fit my teaching to that individual's personality."

And that's just what Chris says he is - a "teaching guide." He's there to do much more than steer his clients to the best fishing hole, or lead them to turkey heaven. Chris is there to teach the basics and improve the skills of the outdoor lover. One of the lessons Chris wants to get across to the hunter or angler is the simplest - which is to think like your game. "Get inside the head of that fish or wild game," suggests Chris. "Pay attention to the animal and learn his habits. Where does he go, what does he do?"

For hunters, Chris's seasoned advice is to be familiar with your surroundings - familiar enough that you can become unnoticed and invisible to that elusive turkey or other game. Along with this, Chris has seen too many hunters who are afraid of doing the "wrong" thing, which keeps them from experimenting and trying new tactics. "Above all, " says Chris, "be patient when it is dictated, and be pro-active when patience is not working."

And it's not surprising that Chris has a similar tip for the anglers out there: don't be afraid to try something different. Change your presentation of lure even if it seems 'off the wall.' Sometimes the old methods and lures that have fallen out of favor will do the trick; a small jig or slider worm can save the day almost every time. Chris even believes binoculars can be a handy fishing tool. "I use binoculars to see what others are doing on the water. Depending on how their catch is going, I'll either mimic, or do something totally opposite."

Along with sharing his wisdom of the woods and waters, Chris's job as a professional guide also allows him to share his love of the outdoors. It's a lifelong love. In Chris's words, "you never graduate from the School of the Outdoors." And that's a school where Chris Nischan enjoys being both teacher and student.

You can reach Chris at Rod and Gun Guide Service, (615)385-1116 or .

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