Shadowing a guide

[jrhennecke]

There should be a fishing courtesy pamphlet in circulation!

No people just need to utilize a little common sense!  Muddy. You throwing that pyramid weight to flurocarbon?

[thetr20one]

In Ohio bank fishermen have the right of way. That said I have never had one get upset with me fishing around them. When you catch a fish they usually ask some questions about bass fishing and I have no problem answering them if they are polite! Whats worse on some lakes here pleasure boaters have the right of way over fishermen at the launch.. Usually the hubby backs in the boat ties up the dock while he meanders to park his rig and wifey holds the boat. Sometimes it's not bad if she is hot! LOL!!! Then lets his boat warm up thoroughly before moving knowing we have courtesy docks for this..  

[jrhennecke]

In Ohio bank fishermen have the right of way. That said I have never had one get upset with me fishing around them. When you catch a fish they usually ask some questions about bass fishing and I have no problem answering them if they are polite! Whats worse on some lakes here pleasure boaters have the right of way over fishermen at the launch.. Usually the hubby backs in the boat ties up the dock while he meanders to park his rig and wifey holds the boat. Sometimes it's not bad if she is hot! LOL!!! Then lets his boat warm up thoroughly before moving knowing we have courtesy docks for this..

We have Lake Lice here too!

[thetr20one]

Glad to here It's not just an Ohio thing!!

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

I was fly fishing guide for trout in Glenwood Springs/Aspen CO area for 12 years. By the time I left I part owned 3 shops in the valley and ran about 17 full time guides and another 10 part timers. The first five years were a lot of fun, by the time I sold my business I was crusty and not enjoying it all anymore! About ruined fly fishing for trout for me. I love to go now, but I took about a 3 year hiatus from even picking up a rod or row a dory!

Moral of my story: it is possible to loose what you love if you are not careful. Obviously not the same for everyone and not to say I didn't enjoy many many great days and friendships made on that dory. But that area had many guides and shops and it was very competive. Thankfully I was friends with most of the guides and the old school took a long time to accept any newcomer - had to earn the respect so to say.

By the time I sold my portion out/ I could have been selling women's hats - would have been the same in a lot of regards! It was a job that started early and ended late - often tracking down guys at bars who wouldn't answer their phones so I could capture the 3 boat trip the next day etc.

BUT - each person is different and I don't want to discourge you. Guiding can be rewarding and at the time I was single/no kids; so the lifestyle was great! Wouldn't trade it for the world!

IMO - the first 5 years are the absolute toughest! More than likely you will have to buy your own boat, tackle, rods etc. until you have a track record and clients. Seems after the first five years - if you are doing it right- you should be booked up during the prime months and be able to pick and choose your clients instead of taking everybody that has a buck. The ones you don't want to fish again, I would say I was booked - and refer to an aspiring guide and keep a referal$. After a year to three if you are doing a good job -you may be able to get a small discount on some main items like engines/boats/tackle but typically they are not free or even close.

The above poster is correct if you get out the calculator and make up a couple years of expenses - there are a lot and include everything - housing, advertising, refferal pays, INSURANCE, tackle, GAS, maintenence, etc. - don't cheat yourself be honest and make the worst case. Then be honest with yourself and figure out how many days you can get in year one and two again- WORST CASE. This will open your eyes and if you are honest with your numbers you will see the road and if you want to travel it or not.

IMO it can be rewarding but I don't think anyone is getting rich doing it. They do it because they love it and in a lot of ways it is better than some options.

I hope I don't come off as a know-it-all or anything. Guiding Fly fisherman while rowing dory boats is a little different than being a Bass guide, but IMO not by much.

Happy Releasing,

H.G.

[George Welcome]

I can only say "wow"!

18 years old and you want to be a guide? Get your education!

First and foremost to be successful at this business you need to be an ace of a fisherman. Do you have the experience to be able to show and tell people how to fish? Every day is a tournament out there, but without the luxury of not winning most of the time. You have to produce!

[Wesley]

I can only say "wow"!

18 years old and you want to be a guide? Get your education!

First and foremost to be successful at this business you need to be an ace of a fisherman. Do you have the experience to be able to show and tell people how to fish? Every day is a tournament out there, but without the luxury of not winning most of the time. You have to produce!

What does age have to do with him decideing what Profession he wants to be in and asking the best way to become one?

[fishizzle]

Follow your dreams!!!

[Guest muddy]

There is merit in getting an education, always first and foremost. Also There is not a guide on the planet who produces every trip out, not a one. You have to become more than proficient at a body of water, but there is no 100% guarentee that you will sucessfuly put a client on fish all the time.

[fishizzle]

And if you can't afford an Education, wing it

[George Welcome]

Also There is not a guide on the planet who produces every trip out, not a one. You have to become more than proficient at a body of water, but there is no 100% guarentee that you will sucessfuly put a client on fish all the time.

That is 100% correct which is why on my page it says:

"There are times that no matter how hard we work, and how much we know, the fish just won't cooperate. We make no promises that we can't keep, so we do not offer you any phony guarantee of numbers of fish that you will catch, or size of fish. We do guarantee our best effort on your behalf. Our previous customers will verify that and we can supply a vast list of references."

However if you are going to last in this business you best win the majority.

[Randall]

I am going to assume that you are talking about guiding for bass. This topic came up a few days ago in my boat in a conversation. I had never thought about it before but it was pointed out to me that there are only two full time bass guides in the northern half of Georgia. I am one of them and Ryan Coleman who guides on Lanier is the other. All of the others are part time and make most of their income doing something else. There might be someone I or the other guys with me didn't know about but I doubt it. Thats two full time guides in a good fishing state with a major metro area with millions of people. I even got a parttime job after last years drought closed the lake I guide on most of the time. I am now guiding full time and still have a parttime job a couple days a week until I am sure this drought is over. If it was easy to be a guide there would be lots more full time bass guides. I would almost be willing to bet there are no full time bass guides in eastern NC.

Now on the other hand I wouldn't trade what I do for anything else. I love what I do and that makes the long days I work worth it. I rarely ever have an eight hour day and most are twelve to fifteen hours since there is lots more to it than what you would think.

If I would have started when I was eighteen as an intelligent hard working young man who showed a lot of promise in life and a better than average 18 year old fisherman then I would have went out and started a guide service and failed. Like George said I would go get an education first. Learn the things that will help you in one of the toughest most competive jobs you could have. In your spare time keep your goals in mind of what you want to do and work toward getting the fishing, people and work skills you will need to make it.  

[Guest muddy]

Good Advice Randall, thats why I respect you  8-)

[jrhennecke]

Well said Randal

[Grey Wolf]

I am going to assume that you are talking about guiding for bass. This topic came up a few days ago in my boat in a conversation. I had never thought about it before but it was pointed out to me that there are only two full time bass guides in the northern half of Georgia. I am one of them and Ryan Coleman who guides on Lanier is the other. All of the others are part time and make most of their income doing something else. There might be someone I or the other guys with me didn't know about but I doubt it. Thats two full time guides in a good fishing state with a major metro area with millions of people. I even got a parttime job after last years drought closed the lake I guide on most of the time. I am now guiding full time and still have a parttime job a couple days a week until I am sure this drought is over. If it was easy to be a guide there would be lots more full time bass guides. I would almost be willing to bet there are no full time bass guides in eastern NC.

Now on the other hand I wouldn't trade what I do for anything else. I love what I do and that makes the long days I work worth it. I rarely ever have an eight hour day and most are twelve to fifteen hours since there is lots more to it than what you would think.

If I would have started when I was eighteen as an intelligent hard working young man who showed a lot of promise in life and a better than average 18 year old fisherman then I would have went out and started a guide service and failed. Like George said I would go get an education first. Learn the things that will help you in one of the toughest most competive jobs you could have. In your spare time keep your goals in mind of what you want to do and work toward getting the fishing, people and work skills you will need to make it.

Great insight This man is telling you the way it really is. Listen to him.

[32251]

18 and you know what you want to do.  Something to be said for that.

Don't listen to naysayers.  I was told I could never make a good living just being a musician....I am almost 60 now and I have never spent a day in my life without some money in my pocket and a nice roof over my head. I have never in my entire life had to answer for anyone but me. I never had one person ever tell me what I had to do and did not have to do.  I never fought morning traffic, had a day job or had a boss.  Not many people I know can say that.  What does that commercial say "find something you love to do and you will never work a day in your life"!

If you have the skill to do this then you will be successful. If you do not then you won't, simple as that.  If this is really what you want to do, then go do it and do it NOW.  Find you a body of water and learn it like the back of your hand.  When you are catching fish on it in a regular basis that you can count on then take some folks out that you know and see what you can do.  If things go well then get in the market, advertise and start charging for it.