Guide ?

[Wannabe Guide]

This summer I have decided to guide (part time). I do have some experience helping a resort friend for free after one of his guide became ill, but this time I will be on my own. I would appreciate some advice. First off - Taxes. What do I need to know about keeping the IRS on my good side. Also, how do some of you guides handle the money transaction? Do you collect money before going out, after coming back, or do you send an invoice to the client. All advice appreciated.

P.S. I will be guiding in Minnesota.

[Walleyeman]

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[s.f.]

lol i don't dare expound on the income tax stuff. i am just straightening a mess out. but...just keep good records and ask a cpa for any advice.lol

i've been guiding for over 35 years. doing it 'right', you put in long days of steady mental and boathandling work. fishing success is one thing, but being a class act is truly imperative. the people in your boat that day, from the time they make the reservation to the time they drive away, they have to feel they are the most important people you have ever met and taken fishing. you need to be an entertainer as well. fish stories...show interest in their backrounds etc.,...all the time showing them that the wheels are spinning in a gallant fashion to make their day the best experience possible. don't assume anything in regard to their fishing abiltiy.
be a GUIDE, not a boat driver. carry their gear for them to and from the boat. offer extra clothes if you see them short, due to unforeseen weather. clean the fish and bag them, neatly. be a GUIDE.
i would never expect to get paid before the trip. always after you've earned it. that means even if the fishing was tough. done right, they will surely understand. have fun! good luck!

steve fellegy
#49

[bluelund]

Steve,

Do you drive a launch on Mille Lacs or guide smaller parties? I usually bring a group up to Mille Lacs on Fathers Day for an evening walleye trip. There are usually 20-30 of us with experience ranging from pure novice to very experienced. If you can, send me an email I would like to talk to you, RRobertJMartin@cs.com

Thanks for your help,

Bob M

[Jerry Tipping]

I guide on the Wisconsin River,and Castle Rock and Petenwell Flowages in central Wisconsin. I agree with Steve! Be a class act. Don't show up at the ramp with a three day beard, the same clothes you wore to change oil in the truck last week, or, the main thing-a hangover from the night before. Besides the trip you have that day you are also promoting yourself for future trips by the same customers or by word of mouth. Be on time! I am always at the ramp at least 20 minuites before the scheduled time. Take a few minuites to get aquainted. It puts them at ease, and first impressions are so important. A clean rig, good quality equipment in perfect working condition are things which will set you apart. Don't hand a customer a rod and reel with missing eyes or a bail they have to close by hand. FRESH lively bait! No slimy leech containers, smelly crawler boxes, and a mess of dead minnows floating in the livewell or minnow bucket. If you're going to run a business, be a business man. Get a CPA, keep good records, (tips are optional), keep receipts from all equipment, bait and gas purchases. Like Steve mentioned, don't be just a boat driver. Explain what you are doing and why you are doing it. I hope this helps! If you wish, check my web site at:www.anglerspride.com
Keep a tight line!!!
Jerry #170

[Wannabe Guide]

Any more advice out there?

[s.f.]

shut up fish! lol lol lol

good luck!

#49

[Backwater Eddy]

For all the above reasons for sure, some great advice already.

Be a people person, be happy, be upbeat, be friendly, don't be a bummer in a boat with bait and a guide license.

Know the waters you guide very well.

Know when the water you fish is not worth fishing, have options available in reserve.

You sell fun not products while your guiding. Good products sell themselves when they become productive, so make them productive. Don’t try to sell them everything in the tackle box as a miracle lure.

Educate clients to application, presentation, seasonal patterns, conservation, etc, and they as knowledgeable anglers will see what they like or dislike. More people hire a guide to lean specific fishing patterns then ever before is a trend that I see.

Find out what your good at and be the best at it you can be. Then pick another pattern to build skills on.

Try not to get so centered on fishing that you loose touch with the beauty of nature that is all around you. Many clients may consider atmosphere just as, or more important, then catching fish.

The hardest one for me is "Don't freak out if you have a off day." Man I can drive myself nuts if things are slow. Motivated is good, but obsessed, well lets just say, it can drive a client nuts too!

Example of obsessed # 1 - WHAT QUIT, NO WAY, we aren’t leaving yet, I don’t care if it’s hailing watermelons and that lightning was not even close, it must have been a good 1/32 mile away. The fish will bite soon, I KNOW IT, shut up, sit down, and fish!”

If you EVER hear that come from your mouth, you may have gone too far.

:D

Have fun, Love what you do, do what you love.
Good luck to you.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/home.html

[Juls_WI]

Hey partner,
You have to finish that cup of coffee before posting...
"Shut Up Fish" and "Shut Up AND Fish" are quite different...hahahahahahahah

Too funny.

Juls
p.s. See? I told you if you registered you could go back in and edit things like this...but nooooo...you keep putting it off...lol
Go ahead and NOT register...I will just follow you around and pick on your typing skills..;-)

[Kaz]

Hey Steve: How you doing? Harry R and I still are fishing as much as possible. I have a place now up at LOTW across the street from Ballards. We'll have to get you up there on a day or two you are free. Harry would like that too. Havn't see Joe lately either. "E" me when you have time. ddkaitz@msn.com regards Dick

[Backwater Eddy]

Hay fish, You Talk'n to me, huh punk?

LOL!!


:)

[s.f.]

yeah, yeah... guess i better listen to juls or else...lol

it took me years to just figure out how to turn puters on...you're asking a lot of me to figure out how to register. lol why has this fishing thing got so complicated? lol lol

#49er partner