Am i capable of doing fishing guides?
I fish the Capilano River, B.C almost every day when its in season. Last season i caught 73 Chinook (one 64lbs) and 32 Coho ( two 20lbs). Ands thats only in the time span of 3-4 months. I out catch EVERY fisherman there daily! Im 100% sure in the best level wind fisherman there. But heres the catch, im only 16. I love teaching people how to fish and making money. Would you hire a 16 year old after you saw the hundreds of photos?
Look dude, if you could take me on some good trips, show me where the fish are, and your rates are affordable, I’d hire you. I can’t think of a reason why being 16 would change my opinion if you could demonstrate your results with references, photos, etc. But there are a couple things that I can think of that you need to consider…
First, there’s a big difference in going out and catching fish and showing people where and how to catch those fish. For every person you add to the group, the job gets more complicated. You’ve got to have really good communication skills and a lot of patience. Are you a people-person? And don’t forget — most of the time you won’t be doing much fishing for yourself.
Next, guides are usually VERY well outfitted — they have extra gear for everything from fishing to hiking to camping to cooking. When someone asks, "Anyone got some 3X tippet?" the guide is the one who says, "Yeah, I’ve got some." When someone asks, "Anyone got some moleskin?" the guide says, "Yeah, right here." "Tabasco Sauce?" "Yeah." And so on. So, that’s a consideration.
I’m not guide, but I know that in some areas guides must be licensed and stuff. You’ll need to have a business license and there will be accounting and taxes to think about. There are also places where guiding is regulated and restricted. Look into that stuff and see if you really want to turn your avocation into your vocation.
Finally, you might ask around and see if you can get a job with an established guide or a lodge — that would be a good way to find out if you want to be a guide, and if you can be a guide. You say you know how to fish and I believe you, but you’ve also got to learn how to be a guide, and having someone to teach you that would make the journey easier.
April 11th, 2010 at 2:47 am
Look dude, if you could take me on some good trips, show me where the fish are, and your rates are affordable, I’d hire you. I can’t think of a reason why being 16 would change my opinion if you could demonstrate your results with references, photos, etc. But there are a couple things that I can think of that you need to consider…
First, there’s a big difference in going out and catching fish and showing people where and how to catch those fish. For every person you add to the group, the job gets more complicated. You’ve got to have really good communication skills and a lot of patience. Are you a people-person? And don’t forget — most of the time you won’t be doing much fishing for yourself.
Next, guides are usually VERY well outfitted — they have extra gear for everything from fishing to hiking to camping to cooking. When someone asks, "Anyone got some 3X tippet?" the guide is the one who says, "Yeah, I’ve got some." When someone asks, "Anyone got some moleskin?" the guide says, "Yeah, right here." "Tabasco Sauce?" "Yeah." And so on. So, that’s a consideration.
I’m not guide, but I know that in some areas guides must be licensed and stuff. You’ll need to have a business license and there will be accounting and taxes to think about. There are also places where guiding is regulated and restricted. Look into that stuff and see if you really want to turn your avocation into your vocation.
Finally, you might ask around and see if you can get a job with an established guide or a lodge — that would be a good way to find out if you want to be a guide, and if you can be a guide. You say you know how to fish and I believe you, but you’ve also got to learn how to be a guide, and having someone to teach you that would make the journey easier.
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April 11th, 2010 at 2:57 am
There’s one downside to guiding- Once you put a client on some fish and show him how and what they can be caught on, the next time you take a client out, there’s someone in your honey hole catching your fish. Guess who it is? Better have a lot of hot spots to go to.And then sometimes you may get that rare client that doesn’t want the guide to fish, only guide. He claims he isn’t paying you to fish.Guess how hard he is going to be to satisfy. And plus when you show one guy your honey hole, you are really showing an unlimited number of people because that one is going to tell and take his friends, and they are going to do the same. As a hardcore fisherman I don’t think the money is worth the price you will pay down the line in reduced places to fish.
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April 11th, 2010 at 3:25 am
If you really want to do this I’d look to see if any area guides would hire you on. THere are insurance costs and certain laws you need to know, and maybe get a license.
Also imagine this scenario… You have to take out complete goobs fishing, who may not know squat, can’t cast, don’t want to be wet, too hot, or too cold, but by God you better catch them a fish cause they paid you for that…
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I guide for waterfowl and turkey…
April 11th, 2010 at 3:55 am
hey there, legally no you cant start a buisness because of your age, but what you can do is get some cards made up and go around to your local bait and tackle shops and ask them to set them up some where. and tell them that it is not a legitament buisness yet so you do not have insurance and they would have to fish at their own risk. that is what i would do until you hit the age 18. when you hit 18 all you need to do is go to your local court house anex and apply for a buisness license and a tax id number and there you go. just remember that you will have to get insurace on your boat and passagers. man i hope this helps you out a bit good luck good fishin be safe and remember to share the experience
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free buisness cards
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=064&combo_id=4298&gallery_id=64&category_id=11&referer=&rd=2
April 11th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Hi Black, I will start by saying I am a Guide on North Vancouver Island BC. I stay very busy this time of year working the inside passage. I will be heading to the Queen Charlotte Islands later this summer for some trophy chinook and halibut. I would suggest like a few answers said to work for a fishing guide outfit at first. Allot of the old time guides up here started out working for some of these lodges. The problem your gonna have is your age. You have to be 18 to register as a guide in BC. The boat insurance for a guide as mentioned before is required as well. That runs about a 1000 dollars a year on a 16-17ft boat. Bigger boats with sleeping areas,bathrooms,galley, the insurance is 4 times that. That’s because alcohol is allowed on the bigger vessels. Like mentioned before equipment, I must have about 30 different rod and reel combos, tons of tackle, and rigging. From fly-fishing to heavy duty halibut reels. This stuff must be maintained and working as new for the customer. You might have some luck getting hired on to a bigger charter boat as a deckhand/fish handler, if there are any around you. Otherwise I’m afraid your age is gonna stall ya for a couple of more years. Keep up the good fishing though till then..Edit… I forgot to mention, you know as well as I how dangerous these waters can be up here. I run by whirlpools near Johnstone Strait that could almost swallow my boat. I’m not as concerned near for myself, but when your dealing with John Q Public fishing on your boat, you are totally reponsible for him or her with or without insurance. I know several guides up here that run without coverage. I keep saying sooner or later, somethings going to happen, but hopefully not. 40 yr exp. Pacific Northwest guide
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