Troy wrote:
Sure, guides that fish the same water for years know many things a first timer on the stream wouldn't know, but I like the challenge of learning the stream myself. So, I doubt I will ever hire a guide, especially on the east coast. I'd rather spend that amount of money on another fishing trip. To each is own.
guides are just that... experienced on that set of water... know where the bigger pods are or at least have an idea as to where they were the day before. This is specially true in the PNW.
Most also have a tad more boating experience than the average fly fisherman.
They are there to help you relax... if you don't feel like banking, they'll net. If you have never casted, they'll instruct. If you are floating, they will do whatever (backtroll, anchor, redrift a section) it takes to keep you in the zone.
Most guides don't even tie unless they are self-employed or a small venture.
2 of my best friends from pa, both in AK for the summer runs, have totally different days.
1 is on the water 6 days a week, maintains his own jet, cleans fish for clients, helps cook and clean-up, and is responsible for his part of the cabin (laundry, cleaning). He also helps tie flies/beads/leaders. He also helps maintain the lodge area, such as mowing grass.
the other is a time-share company that is not relegated to just fly fishing. Companies from all around the US send their employees there for R & R. There will be days and even weeks where no fishing is done.
Some visit to read on the porch, take boat rides, shoot clay pigeons, bear sight, hike, spin fish, fly fish.
This lodge provides ALL equipment from waders to flies. a maid does the cleaning and full-time cook does the cooking. Fish are never cleaned by the guides.
A lot of disinfo out there about the PNW and what guiding entails.
I fully understand, since you're a guide, that time on the water w. and older gent wants to be a relaxed fit for you, rather than feeling like a day at work.
BTW, out of all the guides I am friends w., not one says that the fishing has lost appeal. When they return in October at the closure of the season, after sleeping for a few days, they are already planning their first steelhead trip to the GL region.
what's funny about the whole situation is the guide that works at the timeshare lodge makes 8k more than the diehard-fish everyday guide.
lol - j/k..
