Guiding QuestionsThi

[Perchboy]

I'll try to keep this as short as possible, but I need some help. I'm looking at getting into guiding as kind of my own small business on the side. I have a great client base that was just kind of thrown into my lap. I'm certainly not the greatest fisherman in the world, but I think I can hold my own. I would be doing this on lake Mille Lacs mostly. What I was wondering was what do I need to do in terms of insurance, do's and don'ts that you all have learned, and any other things that I might not be thinking of. Basically, what can I expect? Thanks in advance for the help!!

[Tommy Mac]

Perchboy,

Guiding is not as glamorous as some might think. It requires a genuine love of fishing. It's not easy to get up for that endless next day of fishing when it's been in the 90's for a week. You probably have clients waiting at the dock that don't know the difference between a baitcaster and a spinning reel. It is not uncommon to have people that have never caught a walleye. Do you have the communication skills to teach them the why and hows of what produces fish? Or you might have expierienced anglers waiting that want to know all there is to know about Mille Lacs, they might not want to keep a fish all day but they will want to pick your brain on every part of the lake and every spot on the spot. You have to be able to know the body of water your fishing like the back of your hand.

It's a must to have ample supply of quality rods and reels. You do not want to be re-tying four rigs becouse you are changing form rigs to jigs or bottom bouncers to cranks. And the last thing you want to do is have equipment problems or run out of a hot crank bait or jig.

Do you feel confident enough in your rig to take three strangers out on big water in a 20 mph wind? Can you help 3 others with every aspect of fishing, line tying, netting, re-baiting, how the reel works etc. and still controll the boat in 3 foot rollers?

You will need to pick up a good charter boat insurance policy such as the one the NPAA offers registered members. The policy is about $550.00 but worth every penny should someone get a hook in there eye or worse. Your regular boat insurance policy through Joe Blow Ins Co won't cut it.

Every day on the water is like fishing a tournament. There is a tremendous amount of pressure to produce. The last thing you want to do is come back to the dock with just a few when your clients buddies came back in with limits. I want to empisise that you have to have a lot of confidence in yourself and your love for the sport. Guiding can be very rewarding. There is no better feeling than going out with inexpierieced anglers and teaching them how to catch fish. It's a great feeling. However you have to be ready for that day when things don't quite go right and you can't find fish to save your soul. It will happen. It happens to everyone. Can you bounce back from that and go out again the next day? There is a lot more to guiding than taking out your buddies for a day of fishing. I enjoy it. I like meeting new people and teaching 'em how to fish or showing them what I know about the lake. I am a part time guide as I have a regular job. There are times when I hate going back to work on Mondays and there are times when it's nice to have a regular job.

You had mentioned that you allready have a client base so that is a good start. It is a very competitive business. Give it a go if you feel confident enough in yourself as an angler and can handle your boat even on days when you don't want to go. I think that you will enjoy guiding, but I just wanted to make it clear that you have to take the good days with the bad. Drop me a line if I can help more. Good Luck. Tom

[donnie]

Excellent post, Ive been guiding part time also, a lot of people dont realize just how much time is involved most of your days end up being at least 12 hours by the time you get ready for the next day. Im not complaining I feel fortunate to be able to do it, but it can be a real grind, last year between May 1 and July 31st, I had one day off betwen working and guiding.

It can be a real challenge handling the boat, the clients, the net all at once on a windy day....Sometimes I wish i had 4 hands.

Tommy told it like it is.....couldnt have said it better myself



I also enjoy the people, its fun teaching people,