HOW TO CHOOSE A GUIDE II
I know I already wrote about this a few years ago, but a few anecdotes came up recently that made me wonder if anyone actually read it.
The lotteries are out for the Quebec 2010 Atlantic salmon season. This means lots and lots of anglers are starting to shop around for rod slots and Guides. At the same time, the early winter blues are already setting in across North America, so folks are looking to the 2010 season to help keep them motivated and to fend off cabin fever.
While at a local fly fishers get together in Three Rivers, Liliane and I ran into several local anglers. One couple had done a guided trip recently and had come away from the experience with a weird observation.
Seems they had booked an outing with an acquaintance, but hadn't gotten all the signals straight before hand. Oh, they had a wonderful time: Fish were abundant, strikes were hard, fast and furious. Then again, while stringing up on the first morning, the Guide was a bit insistent that they use his flies etc.
Now it's not a really big deal. They ended up catching quite a few fish on both the Guide's flies as well as those that my friend had tied up specially for the trip. This little misunderstanding could have easily been avoided though through some simple communication before the trip.
Copying from my earlier article of a few years ago, what can one do to ensure a pleasant time is had by all?
If possible, plan ahead. Getting ready for the excursion of a lifetime is part of the fun. Do the research on the river, history, services, fishing.
Now the hard part: What do YOU want and what are your real capacities?
Do you prefer a quiet day or are you looking for non-stop action?
Try to think about how you can articulate this?
Do you prefer calmly wading along a brook or furiously bombing the banks from a drift boat?
Do you want/need lessons on casting, presentation, tactics?
Ask LOTS of questions. By doing your research (Internet is fabulous for this), you'll be able to ask some really informed questions to your prospective Guide. Questions like:
What is the refund policy if the water is un-fishable? (too low, too high)
Can we wade? Can we drift? Do we have to drift?
References please.
How long have you been Guiding? (Sure everyone has to start somewhere, but do you really want to be this Guide's very first solo client on YOUR dream vacation?)
What can you realistically expect to get in the way of ACTION? No, this isn't a dumb question. If you knew the answer to this, you probably wouldn't be looking for a Guide!!
Can your Guide (prospective) get a realistic evaluation of the water/river conditions as well as some "insider" fishing reports?
What services are offered? (Lunch, equipment, flies, lessons, transportation, licenses, rod fees)
What is the order of the day? Schedule? Is this a non-stop, killer of a day or do we take a break at mid-day?
Rates? Tips? Extras?
What to bring (which rod, which flies, warm clothes, cool clothes, bug dope)
Get a confirmation of the booking in writing.
Get a follow up contact just shortly before the booked date to confirm that everything is still A1 and in order. (Things change, zones can close, and trends for the season may see the Guide wanting to adjust the itinerary a bit)
A good Guide is there to make sure EVERYONE has a pleasant day. By doing some research, a bit of soul searching, being realistic in your expectations and capacities and asking the right questions, the client can help a professional Guide do their JOB properly.
Boris setting up a client right
A frosty morning on the Thanksgiving weekend
Friends who came out for this last weekend of the season had no trouble dealing with the conditions as they had prepared for it well in advance.
Chris Chin
Proulxville, Quebec