Post by: chrisb on November 29, 2012, 03:36:17 PM
For those of you who are guides or have used guides what things should I ask, look for, red flags, etc.? What additional costs or hidden fees should i consider when looking at the prices?
Recommendations are welcome also.
Post by: h20hunter on November 29, 2012, 03:39:00 PM
Post by: WSU on November 29, 2012, 03:43:24 PM
Post by: Holg3107 on November 29, 2012, 03:43:53 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on November 29, 2012, 04:12:00 PM
For the OP call Bob Ball or Larry Scott! Cant be beat PERIOD!
Im not knockin, but dont hire a guy from N Seattle for a trip on the Olypenn. Example:
Feb is a great month for GIANT Steelies on the Calawah. Not many out of towners can get ya down that river!
Local knowledge and fishing everyday is a HUGE benifit.
The 3 mentioned here book easily a year in advance. You have time to get in with a great guide. A great guide dosent have to advertise!!!! He already is swamped ;) And no hidden fees apply.
Post by: JBar on November 29, 2012, 04:16:09 PM
Robsguideservice.com
Post by: _TONY_ on November 29, 2012, 06:32:03 PM
For general Salmon or Steelhead in the SW region call Clancy Holt. He is the best!
For the OP call Bob Ball or Larry Scott! Cant be beat PERIOD!
Im not knockin, but dont hire a guy from N Seattle for a trip on the Olypenn. Example:
Feb is a great month for GIANT Steelies on the Calawah. Not many out of towners can get ya down that river!
Local knowledge and fishing everyday is a HUGE benifit.
The 3 mentioned here book easily a year in advance. You have time to get in with a great guide. A great guide dosent have to advertise!!!! He already is swamped ;) And no hidden fees apply.
+1 on Bob and Larry...
These days with the explosion of part time/weekend guides, you have a lot of options. That being said, nothing beats the time on the sticks and the thousands of trips down these two have logged on those rivers...
If you're lucky, Larry will row ya down the bear creek section of the 'duc at 2 boards in a hard boat... :yike:
Post by: big J on November 30, 2012, 11:07:14 AM
Post by: Holg3107 on November 30, 2012, 11:26:12 AM
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 30, 2012, 11:46:43 AM
Post by: Bone_Collector on November 30, 2012, 01:39:09 PM
Good Luck
B_C
Post by: chrisb on November 30, 2012, 01:45:50 PM
Yes most likely salmon fishing, i don't think any of us have sea legs worth speaking of so as much as i want to catch tuna it's likely a no go.
SO lots of recommendations so far but no mention of price.... what kind of price range should we expect to be quoted for a day?
Post by: Bone_Collector on November 30, 2012, 02:05:04 PM
B_C
Post by: Kc_Kracker on November 30, 2012, 02:11:05 PM
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer
either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys
Post by: RadSav on November 30, 2012, 02:28:02 PM
Would also be good to know how far you are willing to drive for the best experience available.
Post by: WSU on November 30, 2012, 02:46:20 PM
to look for the best guides in this state look here www.gamefishin.comm (http://www.gamefishin.comm) here is the sub forum http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27 (http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27)
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer
either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys
Phil is a great guide and I would go with him again in a second.
Post by: RB on November 30, 2012, 02:54:54 PM
Post by: Kc_Kracker on November 30, 2012, 06:08:58 PM
to look for the best guides in this state look here www.gamefishin.comm (http://www.gamefishin.comm) here is the sub forum http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27 (http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27)Phil is a freakin legend, if you wanna go home with sore arms hes gonna make it happen, he always does. only guide i know of thats been on the cover of local sporting mags repeatedly :tup:
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer
either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys
Phil is a great guide and I would go with him again in a second.
Post by: huntnphool on November 30, 2012, 06:14:26 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on November 30, 2012, 06:20:42 PM
Post by: TheHunt on November 30, 2012, 07:21:19 PM
Post by: chrisb on November 30, 2012, 07:44:19 PM
Really need to know what type of boat you are looking at. Open water charter, river sled, drifter. Each have a different criteria of research and a different set of skills. I find drifters to be the most enjoyable, but what turns my crank may not be what you are looking for.
Would also be good to know how far you are willing to drive for the best experience available.
Any river boat is fine... Gonna say no to open water right now.
I'd say about 3 hours is the limit of my drivers seat time for this trip.
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on November 30, 2012, 07:52:26 PM
Post by: jnevs23 on November 30, 2012, 09:33:35 PM
Post by: Kc_Kracker on November 30, 2012, 09:38:05 PM
My fishing buddy growing up runs rotten chum guide service. I know his rates are usually on the lower end and he runs some screaming deals when he had unexpected trips open up.johns great, i actually designed his logo when I had WSA online, and he has really become a up n comer from a school pe teacher :chuckle:, he works hard and knows the sky very well, hes also got baker lake dialed in :tup: next time you see him tell him Kracker said its time for an attitude adjustment, he will know what it means :tup:
Post by: jnevs23 on November 30, 2012, 10:28:25 PM
Post by: Kc_Kracker on November 30, 2012, 11:20:34 PM
Post by: Wingin it on December 01, 2012, 08:22:45 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on December 03, 2012, 02:51:13 PM
Outstanding superstar guide in the making!
Post by: fish vacuum on December 04, 2012, 12:58:34 AM
johns-guide-service.com
A good guide will be booked well in advance. If you contact someone months in advance and their schedule is wide open, well, that's a reason for that.
Post by: Fish4Fun on December 04, 2012, 11:57:43 AM
A discussion of quality guides in WA isn't complete without mentioning John Koenig, arguably the best on the Skagit system.
johns-guide-service.com
A good guide will be booked well in advance. If you contact someone months in advance and their schedule is wide open, well, that's a reason for that.
Johns is a great guy to spend a day with and he knows the Skagit inside and out :tup:
Post by: chrisb on December 04, 2012, 02:23:42 PM
Post by: elkfins on December 04, 2012, 02:52:02 PM
http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Things_to_ask_guide.htm (http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Things_to_ask_guide.htm)
Mark Coleman of All Rivers and Saltwater Charters is one of the best in the business and does great salmon & tuna trips out of Westport and also does fall kings on the Humptulips.
If you're looking for salmon or Bottom fishing... halibut & ling cod out of Neah Bay, call Mike Jamboretz at Jambo's Sportfishing.
If you're looking for a river trip for salmon or steelhead, Phil Stevens of Mystical legends guide service is excellent too.
Above all, good luck and have fun.