Curious on who are fishing guides on the site? Got questions

[cohoho]

Was wondering which ones of you are fishing guides?  Care to share some chats about guiding?  Looking for both positive and negative aspects from those actually in the business.  Doing some self evaluations on a future business prospect for myself.  I think I am really close to being done with traditional working, as kids are almost all the way out, got my military retirement coming in and wife works at a job she loves that enables me to start seriously thinking of diving in within the next year to to two years.. So any thoughts from those in the business, or those that aren't that have experiences that they liked to share.. Pros and Cons accepted....

[carpsniperg2]

As you know I am licensed fishing guide in washington.

Here are some of my thoughts on anything that is guided. Looking from both clients side and guide side.

I watched 8 guide boats today fishing. With between 2-6 people on them. The avg guide for a full day runs around 150.00. So let's see say 3 people on avg in each boat 24 people at 150.00= that's 3600.00 worth of paid fishing. You know how many fish those people caught? 0! Fishing hunting it is all the same. People are paying for a chance to get something. As long as you are putting out 100% effort to produce for them you are doing your job.

Let me tell you what all it takes is a few boat loads of people not getting a fish and a guide can get a bad name and it is shared with a lot of people! The pressure to produce is huge when you really care about people getting there $ worth out of the trip.

I have been thinking about going more into it as well. I just don't know if I could feel right about getting that much money and just giving people a boat ride. I  would do some kind of money back deal. Like the boat gets a fish caught or everyone is 1/2 off. That way you still pay for your time and your gas and everyone is happy because they only paid 50% but got a chance to fish.

The licenses is pretty cheap when you look at it. The insurance needed is a good bit more then your avg joe insurance policy. To make sure you cover your butt in case something goes wrong.

I love guiding! It is very rewarding and feels great when you get people there critter or fish. When you don't it feels like crap the pressure to preform is huge and you can never please everyone. Fishing guides are a dime a dz. Good ones are 1:100.

[cohoho]

Yea that is the truth for sure.  I used to take alot of folks/friends out in AK for when the Coho's came in.  Easy when the fish were there, though when they weren't there---- different story all together.  Same for Sturgeon here when I take friends.  Even though I have decent success with friends, sometimes much better than the guides showing up at the dock, sometimes NOT so great as Robodad knows all too well.   The ball game changes when they are paying for services, versus three/four guys enjoying conversations and camaraderie.  But then again, guiding aka "JOB"- your on fish every day, versus Saturdays only, you learn the river really quickly.....  I think I have the personality for it, the knowledge, the ability to strike up conversation and enjoy 98-99% of people...  It is the 1-2% that I would probably be a bit too blunt with....  But ultimately, I am not doing it for monetary reason, but more as an means of time and something I truly would enjoy for my quasi retirement job.   I am thinking on it pretty seriously, especially when there might be an opportunity to move to Vancouver if the position my wife has been offered comes through- 1 year out.  From where I currently live, doubtful due to commute, but if living out of Vancouver area ----- world changes pretty quickly if that occurs.  My current set up for boat would be great for winter season and mild off shore runs, but would have to get a large open 23 foot Willies Raptor or Wooldridge Sport Drifter for the other 50% of the time.   I can see Grant Wooldridge smiling right now.....  And of course the boat wraps - conducive with Guide name/business.   If I do jump, I will know within two months, then it will be practice - practice - practice and alot of free "practice" trips for folks till I decide and commit the following year.  How bout sponsorship/wholesale pricing?  Serious gear upgrade would be the first thing...  Literally without new boat could be in business for under 20k.... 

[Wacenturion]

Carp....you hit it right on the spot...

"I have been thinking about going more into it as well. I just don't know if I could feel right about getting that much money and just giving people a boat ride."

Had some friends thinking I should guide for a specific animal when I retired, which I would have had a ready clientele.  However I feel just like your statement above.  I enjoy taking folks, but just have a hard time equating what people expect.  For me, it's a paid opportunity to "LEARN", nothing more, nothing less.  If you harvest something it's a bonus.  Of course expectations are  different for different things.  A trophy bull elk or 160 class whitetail is different than catching say a walleye on a guided trip.

Needless to say I opted not to.  Fishing I think would be different though.  Cohoho you have the perfect personality and more importantly, a desire to go, clients or not.  It's as you say not so much monetary as just something you enjoy.  Good luck on your decision.  Even though I have my own boat, I'd support you with a paid trip or two if you jump in. 

[carpsniperg2]

I agree with you guys 100% I think your personality is just perfect mike. Like Wac said you have a desire to get up in the morning and go. A lot of guides spend a lot of time not running if they don't have clients and have hard times staying on the fish. I know you would be out there fishing even if you did not have 600.00 worth of people sitting in your boat.

As far as start up with you already having a boat. I really think you could start up with 5k and start running.
Say 1500.00 for guide licenses/insurance
Say 250.00 each for rod and reel upgrades 4 1000.00
New gear hooks/tackle etc "which I know you already have enough to get a start" but lets add it in 1,000.00
A website even if built by someone else and setup for a year 750.00 Much cheaper if you do it yourself.
That is less then 5k right there and of course you will need some money figured in for running/fuel etc.
With clients of course that won't matter because you will be making money from the trip even after paying for expenses.

I really don't think it would take to much to get you going well and on your way. There will be stuff you want to upgrade and add later. I think you could start for way less then 20k out of pocket. You should be able to start way under 10k even with any extra stuff you find yourself missing from my above list to just get going.

Many companies work with guides. I have a few fishing companies I work with and many hunting comapines as well. A lot of times I can find killer deals in retail stores to about match the best guide price out there. The companies will be giving you a discount off of msrp. Which is way higher then most stores have there stuff for sale. SO when a good sale comes a long you can do really well. If you hit staff for a few companies then it makes a big difference.

[Bone_Collector]

I will put in my  just because I am a full time guide in Idaho, Oregon and Washington for Hells Canyon Sport Fishing. license #12808

Don't let the job ruin your fun. Guiding can take a toll on the pleasure you get out of your own personal fishing experiences.

B_C

[7mmfan]

I've been guiding for going on 10 years now. I ran a charter boat in SE AK for 5 and now I've been guiding here in WA for 5 as a fly fishing guide. I have had some of the MOST rewarding days getting really good guys into fish and have made life long friends of fellow guides and clients. I've learned WAY more about the rivers I fish and fish themselves then I ever thought you could know.

I have had days where I swore I would never touch my oars again, mainly due to the guys. Paying for a day of fishing will bring out the worst in people, in a heartbeat and they WILL ruin you if you let them. When you go out right now, with you and your buddies, its fun and there is no pressure. If you don't catch any, you know you did everything you could do, and it just didn't work out, thats fishing right? Its amazing how when you get a paying client on board that you have never met before, how much the pressure to perform goes up. And very few clients view a fishless day as, " well thats fishing". They paid good money and they expect results .

The thing that I would say has gotten to me the most, is that the fisheries that I used to be so passionate about are now same old same old. I used to shake every time I hooked a steelhead, and now I don't even really care if I land them. You will also find that you are always in guide mode, even when your fishing with your buddies. For me it was a major wake up call the last two years. I learned how to fish from my dad and last year I noticed that when we fish together, I'm "guiding" him, even though there is absolutely no reason too. He's a good sport about it, but I hate that I do it. You just can't shut it off when you've been doing it for so long.

 I'm getting out of guiding this year, mainly because I'm getting married and am ready to be home every night instead off running around all over the country side fishing for months on end.. (I know what the f*** am I thinking right       ) but I'm ready to enjoy fishing again, and thats the main reason.

[Bone_Collector]

Its also a lot more work than just going out fishing with your buddies. I always find it amusing when people say hey you get to go fishing for a living, when the truth is I get to drive a boat and baby sit grown men for a living!

There are always people out there who will never be happy no matter how many fish they catch, do not let those kinds of people get you down! Every now and then you will get a client that is just one of those people who hates life and is pissed off at the world and will try to ruin your day if they are not catching piles of fish (anyone who has been in the business long enough knows what I am talking about)! Dont let them bother you, there are way more people out there who are just happy to be out on the water and those are the people who will keep you in business!

When it comes to your equipment I would make sure to have extras. I always have 2 extra rods on the boat rigged up and ready go but I also have a couple of extra blanks in the boat in case the unthinkable happens and one of my rods breaks. I usually keep an extra reel in the boat and a few at home just because the amount of use they receive they are bound to break down or worse you loose a whole rod and reel in the drink!

Find some one who is willing to tie leaders and does a good job! It does ad a bit of cost to running the operation but it is will worth it. If you are side drifting for steelhead you will go through a fair about of leaders and there is nothing worse than realizing at the end of a long day that you have to go home and tie leaders just some you have enough to hopefully get through the next day!

B_C

[cohoho]

Great information guys for sure.  I fully understand the "Clients" and when one bad apple on board can make the day crap no matter how well it turns out.  For the running around to different areas, well that is right up my alley here in the next few years.  Kids in and out of college and wife that allows me these opportunities.  Lots of talk today with a good friend and yea, sitting there at the Wind River and we didn't catch even a cold today, would make a day with 6 really impacting for sure.  I am all in the serious thought stages - all related to an actual move to that location.  Figured on 8 sets for a good Salmon/Steelhead and then another full set of Keeper and OS combos, granted can go less on OS stuff as wouldn't darn attempt running 6 people for OS, maybe three at most, due to the nature of that game alone.... Like the ideal of having extra rod on board, cause your right - never know when the - "Oops" is going to happen.  Heck the ocean and down riggers pose a whole different sets there too....  Still overall cost still hovering around 20k, not bad to start off with...    Of course all that would be prior to actually starting and replacements would be needed as I would want to run and take friends for the first few months, more like a trial and error time to work out general bugs and problems...  Lots of river I can surely learn from living there versus Sat/Sun trips only...

[Jason]

I'll volunteer to be a guinea pig for your trail and error Cohoho

[cohoho]

Heck yea- If and when I do, I will make sure I post it here first, as what a better way than with folks that I haven't met or fished with before, almost like a job pre-qualification to see if it is truly the way I want to go, or one heck of a job "self interview!"  If not - I'll end up with some really nice new top end fishing gear for future trips...   

[carpsniperg2]

I was at the wind today also even took my boat down there this time. Man it was perfect this morning! One of the nicest days on the river I have had in awhile. The bite sucked and only saw a handful of fish caught. We fished from 5-12:30 and nada for us.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Coho,
If you do this i will help if i can. I know the rivers around here. Been fishing them for 30 years. From the klickitat to the coast.

[RadSav]

Right on the money 7mm!  I started working on charters at 13 and got my 100 ton operators license at 17 (one of the first to get the "200 miles/US Waters" license). I also started guiding fall Chinook and Winter steelhead as soon as I hit age.  For over ten years after I hung it up to pursue a career in archery I could not enjoy fishing unless I was all by myself.  Now over 20 years later I find enjoyment when fishing with the right people.  However, I really only find peace and full satisfaction when by myself.

I have fond memories of my time spend guiding.  Though I rarely remember the arse holes, the zero fish days and the freezing rain.  If I had it to do over again I'd probably do it again.  Differently, but I'd do it again.

Cohoho - If you are planning on rowing you need to book a trip with Steve Flemming of MahHah Outfitters on the John Day in Oregon  http://johndayriverfishing.com/  He does steelhead and small mouth.  I have never seen a better run operation.  Steve is a fantastic guy and a retired teacher who never quit educating folks.  His operation is so nice I have thought about selling my business and rowing with him for another five years.  It's insane how fully booked he is throughout the year.  One booked trip with Steve would be worth a complete college degree in advanced drifter guiding.

My only other tip would be PAY YOUR TAXES BEFORE YOU PAY YOURSELF!  I know a good number of first class guides that lost everything because they did not priorities their taxes and did not keep proper records.  Seems silly and a little elementry now, but when the shoe string get tight in those start up years it is so easy to rob Uncle Sam to pay Peter and Paul.

[buckhorn2]

I started running charter boats in westport when I was 18 and have always had fond memorys of it and met people who are still friends who were fishermen on the boat. Westport used to have a lot of night life during the summer and most people came to fish but some did the town the night before and it was always those who were sick  and obnoxios so a good rule is to limit the amout of alcohol to have fun fishing. Hope you give it a try you would be good at it just the days when the fish won;t bite would be long.