Guiding: Mystery Of The Fisherman

Unless you have an outing slated with a returning guest, the reality is that you have no idea who you will be spending your day with. You may have formed an opinion via e-mail or brief conversations over the phone but the fact of the matter is never underestimate you guest. It is very possible that the person you are taking fishing has a myriad of experience, has fished all over the world or may have fished with your competitor yesterday or may even be a competitor. The point here is a simple one; you don’t know who is stepping up on the bow so never assume anything. An up front and open dialogue is worth its weight in gold and first impressions are everything, one thing is certain if you indirectly or unintentionally insult you guest not only will it be uncomfortable but it makes for a long day, can tarnish your reputation and cost you return business or future referrals. Anglers employ guides for a number of reasons and it is not always to catch fish. Most experienced anglers are looking for a deeper understanding of their quarry and are more interested in educating themselves than actually catching a fish. Some anglers already know the game and are using your services to access private water or get to the fish with the help of your boat. Yet others are just starting out and want to learn the basics of casting, line control, reading water and proper presentation. Some anglers are just looking for camaraderie and someone to share the experience with. Whatever the case might be, it is invaluable to go into every guiding situation with as few preconceived notions as possible.