Why a Guide

Why get a fishing guide? It is a question people have asked me and I've asked myself. Guides are not cheap, and being a guide I want to make sure people get what they are paying for. A guide, besides providing a boat and fishing equipment for the day, can also offer expert advice, safety, and more productivity. Even when comparing the cost of a guide to the cost of buying everything you need for fishing, getting a guide is a wise choice.

           An average fisherman maybe fishes once a week. That's 52 days a year. An average fishing guide is on the water 200 plus days a year. A guide is also going to spend the majority of that time fishing a few bodies of water for a specific species. I would say that makes him an expert. An expert will be able to tell you intricate details and techniques on how to catch fish. From line size and lure placement to wind direction and prime feeding times, a good guide should know it all. Here is a personal example. Sight fishing can be a great technique in clear Rocky Mountain streams. There are plenty of times I see a trout eat our fly and my client doesn't set the hook fast enough.  Instead of casting to the fish again, surely spooking the fish, I'll switch the fly. This gives my client time to watch the fish's feeding rhythm. By the time I've retied, that fish has forgotten that awful tasting thing he spit out a minuet ago, and we have a brand new fly he hasn't seen yet.

       Safety is always an important factor when fishing. Fishing alone can be dangerous. High water can easily sweep a man off his feet. A lot of accidents happen right at the boat launch. I've seen people fall in the water walking down the dock and getting into boats. Your guide should be CPR and first aid certified, and can be a life saver in these situations. If your guide isn't CPR/first aid certified you may want a different guide.

       Getting skunked on the water happens to even the best of anglers, but even when the fishing is horrible a guide can increase your chances. A guide can keep the boat positioned even in tough wind. He'll be there to re bait your hook, or retie a snap off. Half the time my clients can't even see my size 22 hook and 6x tippet. let alone tie a knot in a freezing snow storm. When the fishing is good a guide will be there with the net, shake off a dry fly, and snap a few good pictures.

      Now that I've explained a few good reasons why you should book a guide lets talk about why most people don't... cost. Most people feel that a guide is too much money. Well take a look at what fishing costs in general. A cheap fishing rod, reel, line, tackle, and bait will already set you back a $100 dollars just for one set up. Throw in some waders or rain gear. Next purchase yourself a boat and fill it up with gas. Find out how much it costs to store, register, fix, even launch a boat. I once tried to go fishing and had my motor not start. I spent $350 dollars and never even went fishing.

   If your a beginner getting into the sport book a guide. It will teach you a lot and let you know what you really need to buy. If you are fishing new water or on vacation hire a guide to show you a few spots and techniques. You will have quicker and better success, especially if your only going to be there a week. The expert angler can book a guide just to row the boat and share a few laughs.

Two happy customers.