Find a Good Fishing Guide for any River .
If makes no difference if you are fishing for steelhead on Washington's Snake River or sturgeon on the Columbia this information will help you make an informed decision of hiring a qualified and experienced guide..
Requirements for Licensing Fishing Guides
Before we give you tips and questions to ask. We need to discuss the licensing of fishing guides. Starting with the state of Washington.
There is one thing all guides that run power boats have in common. They are required to have a US Coast Guard license and be enrolled in an approved drug and alcohol testing program. There are several levels of licenses but even the most restrictive license means the guide has passed certain testing requirements and should have a specific amount time on navigatable waters they are licensed on.
Most full time guides are fishing regularly and will be aware of the changing environment. They are earning the majority of their income from the fishing trade and are creating a business that relies on repeat clients and good word of mouth referrals.
They provide a quality experience or they go out of business.
The State of Washington requires fishing guides running power boats to have a Coast Guard license, insurance and a number of other items to do business within the state…..However, they do not require any documentation. A prospective guide applies for a specific license and pays a fee and the State sends a license and boat stickers. There are no restrictions to guide numbers licensed, qualifications or their actual experience.
This has resulted in a glut of guides being licensed throughout the state. Guiding is a trade that takes an extended time of learning to become proficient in. This may not the case in some newly licensed guides.
Idaho is somewhat different in licensing but the points below apply to any guide anywhere.
A new fishing guide will start with a handful of business cards put up a website expounding his business and fishing skills and something about his nice new boat…after all, he is a licensed guide.
Quite frankly, there may a large portion of ‘part time’ guides, and ‘some time’ guides that are barely competent. They are in business to have the ability to shelter income or pay for their new fishing boat.
The sad fact is, Washington is a ‘buyer beware state’ and a guide's license may not mean a whole lot.
There are many part time guides that are great guides and can provide a wonderful and productive day. However, finding one that is fishing often enough to stay in tune with the dynamic conditions of the river and fish may not be easy.
‘Some time’ guides are even more difficult to determine quality as they tend to have very limited experience with clients and fishing days on the river. I need to remind you that personal fun fishing does give time on the water but it is a whole lot different from fishing clients.
So, just how do you get through all the chaff to find someone that does have good qualifications and will meet some basic standards? The answer is pretty simple, research and questions.
Fishing Guides whether they work the Snake, Columbia or Cowlitz Rivers are using the Internet for advertising as this is an inexpensive way to get broad advertising coverage. Even the occasional fishing guide can make a small website to promote himself.
So let's start with Internet advertising and then go to possible things to ask about.
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INFORMATION:
ARTICLES:
TACKLE SHOPS:
AREA WATERS:
Grande Ronde River Granite Lake
Lake Bryan
Dworshack Reservoir
FISH:
Sturgeon
Trout
Fun article describing Salmon mania
affecting Idaho anglers.
