Fly fishing guides serve multiple functions. They act as instructors, cheerleaders and even babysitters for their clients – from choosing and tying knots to teaching casting techniques and showing where the fish are located.
Guides are keenly attuned to their clients and will work tirelessly to make your day an unforgettable one. Be courteous and respectful towards them and they’ll do all they can to ensure it goes off without a hitch!
1. Get a license
Starting out as an outfitter, lodge, or independent guide requires being legally compliant in every state where you operate. Each state varies in terms of what must be done to become an official guide; taking CPR classes or obtaining specific permits could be required depending on where your state requires you to guide. Whatever requirements your state sets forth for becoming an official guide are essential in becoming successful and successful guiding professional; make sure that whatever requirements yours have are fulfilled before looking for clients; they don’t want an amateur teaching them!
Apart from mastering the fundamentals of guiding, you must also possess a thorough knowledge of your quarry. This doesn’t come from searching Google or asking local message boards; instead it comes through years of working as a guide in all weather conditions and learning things like entomology, fly selection and tying, where fish hold, why they hold there, angling strategies and much more.
As part of your job duties, you must also become an accomplished angler. This is even more crucial as potential employers and clients will expect that you know exactly what you are doing if they pay good money to learn from you; otherwise they could leave disappointed and move onto someone else.
Ultimately, to truly become a guide is to commit full time. That means making it your profession and learning everything there is about the business; otherwise this might not be suitable as your occupation.
Notably, many guides work blue-collar jobs without receiving healthcare or retirement benefits; nevertheless, many love their jobs and are glad they decided to follow their hearts. It can be very lucrative but may require hard work before finding its footing – therefore being prepared to endure some rough seasons before finding success is crucial to being a guide.
2. Get a guide school
Professional fly fishing schools are an effective way to break into this highly-competitive industry. Most professional schools feature instructors with top-tier talent who are adept at teaching new guides. You’ll experience hands-on learning about strategies, tactics and mechanics essential for becoming an accomplished guide – plus first aid and CPR skills which could come in handy during emergency situations on the water with clients.
No fishing guide would be complete without first being an exceptional fisherman, which explains why most guides possess years of fishing experience on the water. Furthermore, being familiar with fishing regulations in your region will allow you to avoid any missteps that could cost clients or even your job.
Not to be underestimated is the difficulty and dedication required of being a guide; not everyone finds it to their taste and there are strict expectations placed upon you by clients for whom they pay you dearly; any negative behavior such as rudeness or incompetence could quickly see you losing clients.
There’s a good reason so many people try their hand at being fly fishing guides but only a handful actually succeed in becoming guides. It can be a demanding career that requires lots of time on the water away from family and friends; full-time guides may have to travel between different fisheries for extended periods; so if this dream requires too much sacrifice from you then perhaps other professions would be more suitable.
In order to be a fly fishing guide, it’s essential that you attend a professional fly fishing school and work hard as an apprentice to gain your license as a guide. Though this could take years of practice before taking on your own clients, the rewards will more than repay themselves in time.
3. Get some experience
Fly fishing guides must fulfill many responsibilities to their clients, from teaching them how to fish safely on the water to teaching their clients how to catch fish effectively and providing an enjoyable experience on the river or lake. Working under pressure and dealing with challenging clients are also paramount skills required of successful guides. They must also have all of the equipment necessary for weather and conditions on the river or lake – including waders for cold or warm temperatures, rain gear for inclement conditions if required, etc.
One of the best ways to gain experience as a fly fishing guide is by helping out an established guide. Doing this will allow you to see first-hand whether the profession is something that’s for you and learn what goes into each day on the water, working with clients from various backgrounds. It will also allow you to gauge whether it is right for you.
Attending a professional fly fishing school is another effective way of gaining experience and finding employment as a guide. These schools provide instruction in everything from knot tying and drift boat maneuvers, all the way through job placement services – so much so that when an outfitter or lodge owner sees that a graduate from such a renowned institution has graduated, they may hire you more readily as a guide!
A full-time fly fishing guide’s workday starts long before they take to the waters themselves. They must spend considerable time prepping equipment and boats, tying flies prior to each trip and conducting reconnaissance to ensure they take their clients to only the best waters.
Full-time guides must also be able to generate enough tips and money in tipping to support themselves financially; otherwise they will quickly burn out and look elsewhere for employment options – especially on private water where tips must be the primary form of payment for guides who do not receive salaries as their livelihood depends solely on them.
4. Get a good website
Becoming a fly fishing guide can be an incredibly fulfilling career path for those with passion, energy, and the necessary set of skills. Unfortunately, however, it may not be suitable for everyone; being in an industry which doesn’t usually pay full time year round and offers no benefits may not be ideal for individuals prone to financial instability and who don’t do well with variable income streams. But for those who possess these qualities it can make an enjoyable summer job or rewarding career path!
Before embarking on their first client, every future guide needs to make certain they are legitimately qualified and understand the local regulations in their area. Some states have specific rules which require guides to take CPR classes, obtain certain permits/licenses and learn a lot about the water that they will be guiding on – all requirements vary between states so it is crucial that those interested in becoming guides conduct thorough research so they are fully prepared.
An impressive website is also essential. Employers look for this in prospective candidates as it indicates an interest in growing the business and professionalizing themselves. Furthermore, an effective site allows clients to contact guides easily while simultaneously giving them more information on the services offered.
Another crucial aspect is knowing how to teach. An effective guide must understand their client’s needs and know when it is best for them to step in with instruction or just shuttle them upstream without intervening directly; it takes experience and insight into each client’s fishing style and personality for this delicate balance to be struck successfully.
An ideal guide should also be a good listener and offer their clients an unforgettable, tailor-made experience – this is key in ensuring client satisfaction and future hires; world-class guides have this skill learned through on the water experience alone.
