There’s nothing like a day spent fishing. A beautiful river, a perfect cast and a perfect hook can make for a perfect day. On the other hand, lack of skill can turn into frustration and unfamiliarity with the waters can even make them dangerous. Whether you’re planning a “fishermen only” trip or a family vacation, hiring a professional fly fishing guide might be a good idea for you to consider.
Good and bad reasons to hire a guide
Anglers hire guides for many reasons. Some are admirable, while others are not. Here are some of the best reasons to hire a guide:
- As a guide to the best waters. A good guide will know the best fishing waters for your purposes. He will be able to get you there safely and with a minimum of fuss.
- As teacher. His guide should be able to teach you something that he can take home and use on his next fishing day. He can teach you about the local ecosystem and the best places away from the crowds.
- As a coach. Your guide can help you improve your throwing form. Good form will save a lot of wear and tear on your joints and muscles.
- As a source of equipment. You probably won’t be able to travel with all your gear. A guide can fill in the holes or dress you up from hat to boots.
- As a time saver. Fishermen spend their lives learning about their local waters and the fish that are in them. Hiring a guide will shorten your learning curve in a new place. This is important when you have limited time in a certain place.
Sometimes guides are hired for less noble reasons. If any of the following reasons describe why you are considering hiring a fly fishing guide, you may want to reconsider your options.
- As a luggage rack. A guide can help provide and carry some of her gear, but a good angler pulls her own weight. Your guide is not her personal bellman. If you are physically unable to carry any equipment, let your guide know in advance so he can adjust your plans for you.
- As a drinking partner. While many guides have clients who become good friends, he remains a professional. He hopes to share his love of fishing, not the beer in his cooler.
- As a guarantee of fishing. Regardless of the skill and knowledge of the guide, hiring one is never a guarantee of capture. You hire him to teach you how to fish, not to ensure a number of fish or a size. If you just want dinner, a local fish market can offer you just what you want at all times.
Planning your fishing trip
It’s a good idea to speak to your guide in person well in advance of your trip and check back with them a few days beforehand. Make sure you are clear about what you want from your trip. Be honest about your goals. Do you want to catch a lot of fish, no matter the size, or are you willing to give up the amount for a trophy-sized fish? Most guides practice catch and release, so if you want to catch a keeper, tell your guide so they can come prepared.
Talk about your skills too and don’t try to sugarcoat them. If you’ve never caught a fly rod, admit it. It’s the only way you can learn.
Discuss equipment with your guide as well. You need to know what he will provide and what you need to bring on your own. Follow their advice on team setup. Discuss the physical limitation if you have any and make sure you can handle the activity. Organize the number of anglers in your group and don’t show up with surprise guests on the day of your trip.
Arrange the price in advance and confirm it on the second call. Most professional fly fishing guides are very honest and careful about customer service. Your business depends on customer referrals and word of mouth advertising. Find out what form of payment you can take and be sure to reward your efforts with a proper tip. If your guide provides you with your lunch, all equipment, flies, your permits, etc. then make sure the tip reflects this extra effort. Your guide may need to pay a booking fee to a shop or supplier, so up to 50% or more of your payment may not go into your pocket. A minimum tip is at least 15% to 20% of the guide’s daily rate or at least $20 per angler.
Choosing your Guide
References are the best way to find a guide. Satisfied customers make great advertising. Ask around and see if anyone you know has fished where she plans to go. Ask your hotel for the names of some vendors or equipment stores, and then start making calls. The time spent on this research will pay off when you find a quality fly fishing guide.
Once you find one or two solid candidates, give them a call to chat and ask a few questions. You’re likely to spend all day with this person, so it’s good to see if you get along on the phone first. Here are some questions you can ask:
- How long have you been living and fishing in the area?
- How many years have you been a fishing guide?
- What part of your business if fly fishing?
- Are you affiliated with a particular provider for reservations?
- How long is a typical fishing trip?
- What is the charge per day?
- What is included in that price?
An old adage says that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. Finding a professional and knowledgeable fishing guide improves your chances of having a great day of fishing.