I hope this article will help shed some light on the benefits of a fishing guide, selecting a guide, and tips on making the most out of your fishing trip.
Benefits of a fishing guide:
The most common benefit of hiring a fishing guide is taking the guess work out of catching fish. For instance, if you are visiting an unfamiliar area for a week and know nothing about the waters you plan to fish then hiring a guide can help you down the right path. Hiring a guide can help you learn the water, understand the current conditions, and most importantly you get the guide’s expertise for the day. Having this knowledge will make the rest of your trip more enjoyable instead of fishing blindly and trying to figure things out on your own.
Fishing guides can help you learn particular creeks and rivers. Navigating certain rivers can be tricky so obtaining a guides knowledge of the lines they use and areas they avoid can save you from being caught in a dangerous situation when navigating it yourself.
Another benefit of fishing with a guide is that a guide is someone you are going to learn from. If you want to learn a particular technique or chase a specific species of fish then hire a guide who specializes in what you are interested in doing. A guide is going to explain the hows and whys to you, and the day will not only be a learning experience, but one where you catch fish.
Selecting a fishing guide:
Selecting the right fishing guide can be challenging when there are twenty or so guides that pop up on a google search, but hopefully after reading this you will have a clear view on how to select the right one.
A good guide is a someone who is trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable of the waters they fish, and a hard worker.
A good guide will cancel a trip if conditions are poor or unsafe for fishing. It’s always best to be upfront with the clients instead of sugar coating the situation just to get paid. Fishing guides make a living off repeat clients. A bad day of fishing for a client can result in a long lost customer. It’s best to be honest.
The best guides are going to be the ones that have experience and treat every trip like it’s their first. There is no substitute for knowledge and experience, but having a energetic attitude, good judgement, and a willingness to adapt when fishing gets tough can work to a younger guide’s favor.
A good fishing guide is going to understand the client’s expectations before going into the trip and will do everything the day of to meet those expectations. Some days can be tough on the water, but having a guide who does everything in their power to make your trip successful is the difference between a mediocre one and a great one.
A lot can be said about the first interaction with a fishing guide whether it’s an email or phone call. If the guide does not give you a good first impression then it’s probably best to find someone else. A great day of catching fish doesn’t matter if you do not enjoy the guide personally so keep that in mind.
Other pieces of advice:
Do your research. When choosing a fishing guide don’t go with the first one that pops up on Google unless they can meet your expectations. Check out their website, reviews, and social media pages. Make sure the guide service is one that you feel confident in going with.
Let the guide know your expectations. A successful day on the water is determined before the trip begins if the guide knows what you are looking to accomplish and has prepared for it.
A fishing guide can be a very helpful resource. Pick their brain and ask them questions about the local economics, best fishing spots, fauna and flora, and ways to improve your skills. A fishing trip isn’t just about catching fish, but a memorable experience fishing somewhere new.
