Just out of curiousity..

[stephan009l]

What could some 1 do to try and become a guide, or work in the guid'n bussiness?? I'v always loved fishing and hope to make it my lifes work as well, Matt, Ed, you two have seem 2 done quite well for yourselves, any tips?? Any info would b very appreciated, and i'm 16 so i'v got a few years 2 plan on things still... Is it possible to work FOR a guide?? lol just lookin for some answers:)

[Arctic]

I am no guide, nor do I plan to be one, but I have worked on three Charter vesssels, out of Garibaldi and one sled, for a WA guide. But start putting yourself on consistent fishing, and then start taking your friends, and put them onto some consistent fishing, then decide from there if it is still something you are interested in doing for a living, not just a hobby. And it is a good thing you are thinking about it at your age. The more time to plan it, the better. I know of a few guides that went to college for Fisheries Biology degrees... Something else to think about. Getting a degree. But I'm sure Mr. Ed Fast, Chris Nordling, and Matthew can provide some first-hand insight into the game.

[stephan009l]

I am no guide, nor do I plan to be one, but I have worked on three Charter vesssels, out of Garibaldi and one sled, for a WA guide. But start putting yourself on consistent fishing, and then start taking your friends, and put them onto some consistent fishing, then decide from there if it is still something you are interested in doing for a living, not just a hobby. And it is a good thing you are thinking about it at your age. The more time to plan it, the better. I know of a few guides that went to college for Fisheries Biology degrees... Something else to think about. Getting a degree. But I'm sure Mr. Ed Fast, Chris Nordling, and Matthew can provide some first-hand insight into the game.

well i'm 16, and I fish 5 out of 7 days right now bein summer an all lol, and I do take friends fishing, and I tell them, or better yet hint to them what might b the best for the day, and i can ussually get them a few nice keepers, and I do hope ed, chris, or matt can help, b much obliged

[Arctic]

You are on the right track man! For sure!

Just curious, not puttin ya on the spot or anything, but what do you primarily fish for in your neck of the woods? Largies? Maybe some sweet catfish or something? And are you close enough to get into Redfish? I hear tales of Texas fish. Now I'm interested! Never fished in Texas, but I see some on the 'ol Tele every now and then!

[stephan009l]

You are on the right track man! For sure!

Just curious, not puttin ya on the spot or anything, but what do you primarily fish for in your neck of the woods? Largies? Maybe some sweet catfish or something? And are you close enough to get into Redfish? I hear tales of Texas fish. Now I'm interested! Never fished in Texas, but I see some on the 'ol Tele every now and then!

hahaha well i'm glad i'm gettin close:p What do I fish for?? hmm well right now just about everything bites, and no i'm definately not close enough 2 go for redfish down in the gulf, BUT I have gone there once and caught both redfish and speckled trout, fun fighters :D I ussually just ask my friends, what ya wanna try 2 get? they tell me, I think it over for a day, and then we go ya know?? for example, lets say they want to go for big fighting fish with no intention of keeping, that tells me Alligator Gar, Carp of all species, and the hard fighting Drum. And the bait would b anything from Fresh cut perch(bluegill, sunfish) and believe it or not, for the cap I have my own special thing. I'v found some wild blackberries, and even small tomatoes, and I grind them up into some bread, and make a bread&berry bait. Grass carp are a huge fan of it :) And I went fishing yesterday for some largemouth's, landed about 14 of them 6 keepers but where we fish we perfer 2 release. Bigger the better :D

[Arctic]

That is really cool man. I am wholly envious of the variety of species you get to target! Hmmm. I do know that there are lots of Amino Acids in most berries, and Carp are fans of those acids if I'm not mistken... And yeah, we might as well release the Bass, especially if they are not invasive, or introduced... Plus they taste like mud! Hahaha! Anyhoo, it looks like you are pretty serious. Keep that interest alive man! I'm tellin you!

[Chris Nordling]

I'm not sure what you're asking.....But I'll try to answer some things the best I can.

What skills are you trying to obtain by working for a guide, in other words what is your ultimate goal if you were to get that job? Would you be trying to become a better fisherman? A better people person? A better net/bait person? What exactly would you be hoping to learn????

Being a successfull fishing guide goes way beyond pounding your chest over the numbers of fish you can catch, a lot of it is how you relate to people. I know plenty of outstanding fisherman who would make or do make crappy (not crappie) fishing guides. I also know some guides who are not the best fisherman, but they have more business than they know what to do with, because they are great guys to be around. Being a good communicator helps a ton.....

There is so much that goes into being sucessful in this business, it would be hard to write it all down. My best advice is this: Become the absolute best fisherman you can, under all conditions. Make friends with other good fisherman,you will learn from them, any info is good info when you're trying to excel inm something.Practice by taking the absolute worst fisherperson you know, and try to get them into fish.If the fishing is slow, practice your people skills, and try to make the best of a slow fishing day. If you end up going to college (or if your HS has it available) take some business and marketing classes. You can be the best fisherman in the world, but if you can't manage your cash or get business, you'll be in trouble. Being your own boss is nice, but it does have it's drawbacks if you're not driven all the time....

Finally, never stop learning. Like any sport once you feel like you've mastered it, you've closed the door to reaching your full potential. Always look for ways to improve, most often it's the smallest of details that drive our sucess.

These are just some of the things to consider besides the initial costs of starting up (boats,tackle,licensing,insurance,advertising, etc....).

Good luck in chasing your dream. I know I've enjoyed where my life has taken me the last 8 years............

Chris

[Chinook SSSF]

Many anglers and would be guides have forged their names by getting really good in 1 or 2 places for long enough to get a reputation. I agree with Chris that attitude and ability to work with a wide range of clients will be just as important as your overall fishing skill. This will apply no matter where or what you are fishing for.

Here are a few things that also help some of the best guides I have spent time with.

Ability to rise and shine at 3:00 to 4:00 AM with little to no trouble. Even though your up early it is going to be a long day and it starts all over again tommorow. How much sleep do you need to live a comfortable life?

Some guys are good with working around people but some of the guides I know really LOVE to see other people get into the fish and make an extra effort to get the clients hooking and landing their own fish. This is harder to do with more than 2 or 3 clients because IM not talking about breaking out the diver and bait rods folks.

Mostly here in the Northwest a guide needs to deal with harsh wheather on a daily basis many times per season, after all it is the rain that brings home the bacon in this business. Grundens and a thermus full of coffee just might be your new best friends.

Lastly do not forget your advertising, squeaky wheel gets the grease....Being well connected and having conservation and biology knowledge of the fish your service targets would of course be helpful.

Although this is not in any way considered to be an easy way of life, I know many guides who have all of these qaulities and enjoy the life they lead for themselves very much.

[stephan009l]

Thanks every 1 for all the info, Its really put me to thinking as well as wondering if I really could prevail as a guide who can catch fish, as well as make sure people are enjoy'n their time on the water. And as for what do I look for? I believe the enjoyment of watching people have fun is enough and that fishing is always a life hobby and a dream so we'll just haft to wait and see:)

[Chris Nordling]

It sounds like you've got the right attititude !

Another thought would be to get a college degree in Fisheries, as a back up plan in case guiding doesn't work out. I have a 2 year degree in Fisheries Technology, and besides training me for a career in hatchery or field work, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about salmonids and their behaviors!

Just a thought.
Chris

[stephan009l]

It sounds like you've got the right attititude !

Another thought would be to get a college degree in Fisheries, as a back up plan in case guiding doesn't work out. I have a 2 year degree in Fisheries Technology, and besides training me for a career in hatchery or field work, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about salmonids and their behaviors!

Just a thought.
Chris

Very interesting!! Hmm sounds interesting. Thats a very good idea to try in case Guide services dont work out to their best. Looks like I still need to look ahead to see waht I can do