How to Hire a Fly-Fishing Guide

Participating in fly fishing trips with guides can not only take a lot of the planning and guesswork out of a day on the water, it can be a great opportunity to hone your skills.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fly-fishing Wading Jackets
• Backing/fly-fishing
• Fishing Lines
• Fly-fishing Flies
• Fly-fishing Leaders
• Fly-fishing Nets
• Fly-fishing Reels
• Fly-fishing Rods
• Fly-fishing Vests
• Waders

1. Check your local fly shop for recommendations on guides. Not only will this connect you with fishers specific to the areas you want to fish, but many guides work out of local fly shops and get clients through their referrals. But book early; if you wait, you may end up with whomever the fly shop can muster at the last minute.

2. Decide if you want to do walk-and-wade fishing without a boat, or if you want to try out fishing on a drift boat. This may point you in the direction of one guide over another.

3. Ask what skill level the guide specializes in, and match your skills appropriately.

4. Determine what the guide's price covers. Things to consider when evaluating the price are: What equipment is included; are there extra charges for flies; what gear should you to bring; how long will you actually spend on the water; is there a fee for use of private water; is lunch included and does it cover a shuttle to the fishing site?

5. Ask how many fishers the fee covers and how much it is to add another person. See if you can partner with a fisher of similar ability. Sometimes adding on an additional fisher and splitting the trip that way is cheaper than going alone.

6. Choose someone who is not going to fish while you are, but who is going to help you fish. The best way to learn is to do it, not watch someone else do it for you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to bring your own equipment and you don't have any, rent some and use it as an opportunity to try different types out before you buy.
• Make sure your guide has all the appropriate licenses and permits for the areas you'll be fishing.
• Save time the day of the trip by already having your fishing license or paperwork done.
• Going on a walk-in trip can allow you to learn about waters that you can come back to and fish the next day.

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on 11/22/2005 On all my fishing adventures, I have found that the best kind of guide is an old timer who's been fishing for a long time. They'll have plenty of stories and a great sense of humor.