Fly Fishing Guides

What is Required

Fly fishing guides have an in depth knowledge and a fierce love of the sport and its participants. As a guide, fly fishermen will look to you for vast knowledge of fly fishing and a great knowledge of a particular area, stream, or river. A guide's job is to show the novice and veteran the best spots for fly fishing, the best techniques to catch the fish, and the best types of dry flies or nymphs to use in that area of water. How well an experience they have is up to the quality of guide that they have. An experienced fly fisherman along with a great personality makes for a great guide.

How Do You Become a Fly Fishing Guide?

If you want to become a guide, there are several well known schools. Dave and Emily Whitlock's School on the White River in Arkansas was named "Best School" by Outside magazine.

Ralph and Lisa Cutter's California School has been "The Best in the Nation " since 1981. They are sprinkled throughout the country in most states. Some of the best guides have been "self taught". Guiding can be a great part time summer job or a full-time career. Either way its a great way to be on the water fishing.

Each state's Department of Fish and Game has Regulations on how to be liscensed to guide on waterways in their state. A guide is usually alloted a number of days per waterway. This varies by state. Most guides work out of a flyshop in their locale.

If you choose to go freelance it's a good idea to talk to already established guides. They may have more clients than they can handle and can maybe pass a few on to you, or maybe refer clients to you. You need to make sure people know who you are, what you do, and how to reach you, because if they dont, then you won't grow a fly fishing client base.

Make sure to learn about the business aspects with all the fly fishing guides you can. Try and get what you should charge, what you have to supply, and tips on being a successful guide.

You should know the basic safety precautions and emergency response procedures before attempting to take clients out. Insurance is something you will also need before you go out. Also, make sure the individuals you take out have the proper licenses.

Where and How to Find Work

Some areas that employ guides are camp grounds, resort, lodges, etc.

If you live near a major river or lake, talk to the manager of a large camping area and see if they have a resident fly fishing guide, and if they would have an interest in having one on hand for their visitors. If they would like to have one, make sure to give them your name and number. Even if they don't want or need one, they may at any time have guests that are looking for a guide for their trip.

As mentioned above local fly shops are also great places to spread your name around to the locals. Make sure to ask the store to display your business card, because visitors and residents go into pro shops and bait stores to get their fly fishing equipment and might want good fly fishing guides.