Guiding: Freshwater, More Than Meets The Eye

Many anglers are unfamiliar with freshwater fly fishing and there is a certain prejudice that trout fishing encompasses the entire freshwater scene. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is there a plethora of species to fish to target in fresh water but there are also two subsets of freshwater quarry, warm-water and coldwater. The challenges a guide faces in these environments can be every bit as burdensome as in saltwater. There are several diverse environments where freshwater fish are found and in each environment different techniques are implored and a freshwater guide needs to be proficient in all of them. Rivers, lakes, ponds and streams all require differing methods and approaches. On any given day, on the same body of water, one may find themselves stripping streamers, presenting dry flies to surface feeding fish or trying to achieve the perfect dead drift with an indicator rig. The species found here range from the anadromous Atlantic salmon and Steelhead to apex predators like the Northern Pike and Muskellunge and also includes opportunistic feeders like the Common carp and Panfish. A well rounded freshwater guide will be well versed in all aspects of the species they are likely to encounter and have an intimate understanding of their behavior, habitat and foraging preferences. Furthermore the accomplished guide will be able to pick up on subtle cues within these environments that will undoubtedly tip the scales in the anglers favor. It is paramount to be totally in tune with your environment while on a trip. The more information an angler can absorb and catalog, the better the return on investment is, you can pull from this knowledge base on future outings and become a well-rounded fisherman.