Happy New Year to you! What are you thinking about that you would like to work on or improve for this new year? Is it catching more fish, improve on your casting, catch more big fish, break bad habits, etc.? I wanted to share from my friend, Mike Kreeger's run down of "Thinking of Hiring a Fishing Guide". Mike has been a good friend to me and a part of my fly fishing journey through the years. He a fishing specialist at JAX located at 900 S. Highway 287, Lafayette, CO 80026.
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There are certainly lots of things to think about and consider in hiring a fishing guide:
— Do lots of homework! Most fly shops offer guide services. Compare prices as they vary from season to season. Purchase your license beforehand. (BTW we sell lots of those!)
— Know what kind of guide you’d prefer. Are they funny and easy to talk to or stiff as a board but super smart!!? Research the guide, look at reviews and previous customer comments then decide if it’s a good fit. Comments give you a heads up and guide you to the best fit for you and/or your group. How much experience does each guide have? Do they know the river/lake that you want to fish? Do they have a “teaching spirit?” Lots to think about as you make your decision!
— Once you’ve chosen a guide, communicate early on what your expectations are. Do you want to catch a LOT of fish, one or two HUGE ones, or do you want to work to improve/learn a technique like Euro-nymphing or fishing streamers. They can also help you improve your casting if you ask.
— Where do you want to go? Is it a good season for catching or should you change destinations or time of year? Are you targeting a particular species of fish?
— How many will be in your party? Sometimes that narrows WHERE you can go i.e. some stream sections cannot handle 10+ people fishing it. Your guide will be able to suggest destinations that can accommodate a multitude of fishing folks. Rely on their experience.
— When you hire a guide, know that it is going to be expensive! That’s just how it is. It’s a day out of their life. You’re tapping into their expertise. They know the hot spots, the hot flies and the lunch that you’ll be enjoying if you book a full day. Your skills will also improve!
— Full or Half Day? The full day is the better deal, but it can be a GRIND! If you decide on the full day, is lunch provided or do you need to bring your own? If lunch is provided, it may be wise to find out in advance what is provided, making sure that it doesn’t collide with any dietary restrictions or allergies of your crew!
— Bring $$ for a tip. A guide makes on average (nationally) $20 per hour! The shop gets most of the booking fee because they have to pay rent, electricity, licenses, insurance, provide waders, wading boots, float systems, rods, flies and all of that boring stuff. The guide is very similar to your favorite restaurant’s waitstaff. Servers make $14.81 per hour. It’s not really a living wage so your tip keeps them doing this job that they LOVE. I am a GREAT tipper and $100 for a good day on the water is my average. If he/she gets me on a LOT of quality fish, it may be significantly higher. If you plan on NOT TIPPING a guide, you should sell ALL of your fishing gear and take up knitting!
— Do what the guide suggests! Be teachable. Don’t argue! (Leave your ego at home!) They’re doing what you hired them to do! If they can get you on lots of fish, you’ll be inclined to leave a better tip so they’re motivated to HELP YOU catch, catch, catch!
— Be personable! If you get along with the guide, they’re more likely to work harder to get you on the fish. You make the difference!
— Feel free to ask lots of questions. Guides are usually talkative individuals and love talking about their passion for fishing. That’s how they bond with their clients. If they have a super-speedy way of tying on flies, ask them to teach you how to do it. I usually ask if they’ll share with me a spot nearby that they like to fish. (Especially if I’m far from home! They know the good spots!)
— Make sure you make good wardrobe choices for the weather forecast. Carry extra layers. Your day will be miserable if you are unprepared for a rogue storm or if the temperature suddenly drops! Also, bring polarized sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen!
—Bring extra water or a “LifeStraw.” Check to see if the guide is bringing water for you. “Better looking AT IT than looking FOR IT!”
GUEST GUIDE OPINION:
CAT TOY: 720-810-7732. Lives in Arvada and guides for the Blue Quill Angler in the Evergreen area! She can be reached at @cattoyflyfishing (Instagram). Cat has been a JAX customer for many years. She purchased her first fly rod here years ago. After attending a fly tying class with Troy in the Fishing department she proceeded to create her own flies like the “Cat’s Caddis Larva,” (a.k.a. Green Cheeseburger), and the “Burnt French Fry mini-leech!!”
Cat, where is your favorite place to guide?
I love Cheeseman Canyon as it’s a beautiful and scenic tailwater on the South Platte River. It can be challenging as well as rewarding with wild trophy rainbow, brown, cutthroat trout, and “Cutbows!”
What is your favorite guide fly?
I will often rig my clients with my flies as an attractor and catch some of the best fish! (3 of her patterns can be found at: Discountflies Online Fly Shop. Cat's Caddis Larva aka Green Cheeseburger, Cat's Burnt French Fry Leech, and Matchstick Midge.
What is your best guiding story?
The best stories are the successful days on the river with clients surpassing their expectations leaving me smiling on my way home from the river.
Likewise, what is your WORST story?
My worst story would be a trip with 3 brand new anglers at the “Dream Stream.” The morning was beautiful, but the flows were quite low. Sight fishing was good in the pockets and pools. Two of the three caught fish “early on” but then the wind rushed in (about 40 mph) right after lunch. The changing conditions caused lines getting knotted, tangled and the casting became difficult, as you can imagine! Changes in weather are beyond the control of the guide and fishing outcomes VARY regardless of skill level.
What is your favorite thing about JAX?
My fly fishing adventure started at JAX. It is a great store where you can get everything you need to launch your own fly fishing story. I especially love the $1.19 flies and it is still one of my favorite stores to shop for fishing necessities and fly tying materials!
This information leaflet is also available at JAX.
See you on the river!
