why use a guide?

[guideman]

Hey New guy,
Go fishing every day under all weather conditions, hot, cold, rain, snow, wind and anything else you can think of. Do it with people that can't fish and have no idea what they are doing.

Do that for a full season and then see if you'd do it for free, every time you have a bad day. Any guide that offers a free trip, if their clients don't catch fish, is a fool and they won't be in business very long.

Taking your friends fishing and slaming a cold 12 pack while your fishing ain't guiding. Those guides and charter boats have most likely, been fishing on "Your Spot" for years. Think about spending about 150 days a year, most with people that can't fish, and you don't get to fish, because your taking care of your customers. Suddenly you realize you are working pretty hard for that guide fee.

Fishing for a living sounds great to a guy that works in an office or factory.
I admit it can be a great way to make a living but it's still a job, it has the same mental stress and pressures that come with any job, except the scenery is much better.

Don't take my word for it, go quit your job and try it for a season, you could find that your perspective as changed.
Don't expect to get rich right away, it took me 3 years to make my first mill.

Have a great opening day everyone, I'll be working...

------------------

Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
Lake Vermilion
Muskies and More.

Pro Staff Member.
Catch-n Tackle.
CKat Custom Muskie rods.
Bearpaws Handpoured Baits
Ohio Pro Lure.
Muskie Nut Tackle.
Big Chimney Muskie Baits.
Marcum.

[snaggletooth]

I am not sure if this will make any sense to any of you about this tpoic, but I am a guide and do it for a resort full time. Meaning that I fish in the summer, guide waterfowl in Sept., Oct., and into Nov. if the weather holds. Then onto winter fishing and in the spring we get our charter boats ready(27` Sportcrafts) and then back to summer fishing. I come from a family that has commercial fished, my dad owns a tackle store and I have worked for the resort since I was 15, and started guiding when I was 18. I am now 25. I have never been totally skunked with customers. But I have had very tough days. No guide can promise or gaurentee fish. That is why it is called fishing not catching. And I am a guide not a GOD just like any other guide. Somedays we just can't get the fish. As far a the iggnorant guy(forgot his call name) I have been fishing hundreds of times and had a private boat pull onto "my" spot and then proceed to either fowl things up or push me off. I hate it. I have also did very well a day before on a spot and get back there the following morning and a private boat is there and I either pass it up or try to fish with them. And they are the ones upset at this. Why?? A lake is not private property and anyone can fish anywhere. I hate having "share" spots with little boats but I may want to share a spot with them somedays so I "grin and bare it." I can not believe some of the attitudes I have read on this topic and on the other hand am quite pleased with the number of you who speak about us guides with a great sense of respect. Thank you to all of you who do that.

[Sgt. Rock]

I've never used a guide but I'm considering it for a couple trips this year. My question is on tipping above the basic cost. I know it is not expected but I'm sure it is very commonplace. What is a standard amount that is not insulting?? Is it a % of the total cost or just a flat fee?? I'd appreciate those of you that do guide comments.

[Guest]

Just because a guide shows you a hot spot for that day, does it mean that you are going to always do good there? Usually if I go to a spot that I like, and someone is there I realize that this is 1. a public spot and I try to fish with them and most people have no problem sharing a spot as long as you show respect.
If you can't have people around you? DO NOT fish walleye alley on the St. Louis. By 6 am the boats are litterly a foot apart in spots but all seem to have fun and catch lots of fish.
I ask this of the guide bashers? If you seen a guide and his party nailing the walleyes? You would not try to get close?

It sounds like this has turned into is a slam on guides by the jealous, that would love to fish for a living but cannot I know I sure would, but to have stress in a time that I should be realxing? This is something that I have not been able to come to terms with yet.

[Terry Hagstrom]

This whole posting is the same kind of junk I would get hammered with as a forum leader. Some would go as far as berating me for not giving them GPS coordinates.

I'm no longer on the Metro, Leech forum for this reason in general.
People think that guiding is this glamorus job and you make all kinds of money. I do it because I have a great time with the people I take out.
As some of the guides noted in their postings, there are losses involved with break downs, no shows, etc.
Earnings equate to about $10-15.00 an hour if you sit down and do the math with all expenses involved (professional liabilty insurance, gas, oil, bait, landing fee, equipment repair and replacement) and approx. 10-11 hours for the day.

This includes prep before the client arrives and cleaning fish and the boat after the trip.
I have been guiding for about 15 years and have been very fortunate to have had GREAT clients.

Many have come back time and time again and we have developed great realtionships.
They understand that to hire a guide is not only to catch fish but to at least take something home with them to use the next time their on the water and help them be more successful, not LUCKY!.

I got pretty cranked after reading the Brainerd article last week. If only the real truth were told and REAL names were used there would have been more credibilty behind it.
I stepping down from my soap box now before I fall off.
Thank you.

Thats my 2 cents worth.

Terry Hagstrom
Terry's Guide Service
www.fishingmn.com/terry

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

A couple of years ago I went on vacation to Lake Vermilion for a week. I had never been there fishing before. I set up a 1/2 day guide the very first day and he showed me the types of areas to fish along with technique. Invaluable information that made the rest of the week much more enjoyable. Money well spent.