I guess I fall more into the Trout Bum category. I don't make time in my life for fishing per say as much as my fishing makes time for life.
Every career move I have made has had two major criteria. 1.) My job doesn't require tons of overtime, take home work or being chained to a pager/cell phone. 2.) It is extremely flexible in hours so that family needs and outdoor trips are an easy fit. I certainly won't ever get wealthy approaching my career in this manner but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I watched my Dad sacrifice fishing and family time to make those few extra bucks banking on two more years till retirement and full time fishing. Well he died of a heart attack before he reached his goal. Every since that day, I live my life with the attitude of being semi-retired and try to get out and do the things I love as much as possible. Why wait till I am 65 to hike in the mountains when I can do it my whole life. Just my two cents on the topic. (And yes I have kids!! Two of them in fact. Some of the best fishing partners a guy could ask for.) Mike W. Spangle, WA
