1st year of guiding done.

[limeyangler]

Hi all,

I posted back in the spring I was starting to guide at the camp in my bay. I just guided the last guests for the year. My thoughts?.It's fun. It was an odd year on Wabigoon, totally shut down from beginning of August until a couple of weeks back, it was really hot and we had zero rain. Lake level is the lowest I've seen it in 11years. Luckily I was able to put people on fish regardless and I get a real buzz from sharing my passion with like minded souls. I hear a lot of 'American' bashing locally and on Canadian forums, but so far the folks i've met are generous, funny and kind.

I was worried about getting paid when the bite was off, but I have had no problem keeping the banter going and using humour to compensate in those situations. I would have to say only one group was a challenge, but after a few hours it was clear nothing would please them and I wondered if they even liked fishing, maybe golf for that crew?....lol.

I am straight up with my guests and share with them what I am good at and what i'm still learning, and I am learning lots fishing with experienced and non experienced anglers.

I've made a lot of new friends and already have some bookings for next year, gotta say it feels good to have people really appreciate your efforts. 

I like to go the extra mile for the guests that pay me and its easy to do because I do what I'm getting paid for on most of my off days anyway, so plenty of info sharing via text,  unscheduled meet ups out on the lake and follow along trips to other lakes have been given free of charge, and the guests love having a video to take home for memories, I just charge them for a memory card.

Its also nice to have a bit of extra income but not having to rely on that. I don't have to take &*&^ from anyone cuz i'll just walk, and they know that, but luckily i have a good relationship with the owners.

 

https://youtu.be/6R8SNPXHLJ8

Edited September 27, 2018 by limeyangler

[TJQ]

Nice!!  Congrats!!

[OhioFisherman]

" I would have to say only one group was a challenge, but after a few hours it was clear nothing would please them "

If you throw them over the side of the boat it limits repeat customers! Glad it went well for you.

[Mister G]

[LeXXington]

nice going. takes a lot to go out and try something new.

[mistaredone]

I’d imagine fishing is the easy part of the job. Good on you for getting your first season under your belt. 

[KawarthaAngler]

Regardless of industry ... when dealing with the public, the hardest part of the business is ... dealing with the public.

Congrats on a good year #1.

[Toronto_Angler]

Congrats on doing it! Never understand people who pay to have a good time and then look for reasons to not have a good time lol

[aplumma]

Well done I hope that you have as good a time next year if you decide to do it again .

 

Art

[BillM]

One of my big regrets is not guiding when I was younger.  Sure you're not much of a guide when you're fishing lakes teaming with walleye and pike, but still it would have been fun.