How to become a guide?

[tob04002]

Hey guys, I think I'd like to become a fly fishing guide some day. I would most likely stick to my local waters - Henry's fork, South Fork of the Snake, Teton, Henry's Lake. Does anybody know how I could go about doing this? Any input from you guys would be great!
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[IAintLying]

Scrool back a few pages to Jan. 11th or 12th. Jeremy asked the same question. I believe the Post Title is "How would I"
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[FishingRookie]

Ask FlyFishingFool...

I think you basically have to go to a school and get licensed and then work for one of the outfitters in order to legally work on the rivers
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[jacksonlaker]

I know over here in Jackson you have to work for someone that already holds permits for guiding on waters in National parks or national forests. They just dont give these permits to anyone. And unless you operating a power boat, you dont need to be licensed. my buddy used to do it, and all he had was a first aid cert. I would check your states regs on guiding. Good Luck !!
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[flygoddess]

For Idaho, you need to be licensed. And as alreardy said, get a guide company to hire you, so you need to know the waters very well. ADA/CPR certified, insurance.
Good luck.

Is flyfishingfool a guide? If so, I am sure he can put you in the right direction.
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[flyfishingfool]

I would not consider myself a fishing guide. I had one guided trip last year and it was pretty fun. Anyways, I"ll try to help answer your question. Last year I went to a fly fishing guide school. I already knew all the waters really well but I had no idea how to become a guide. I thought a guide school seemed like a good idea. After taking the course, the main thing I learned is that I needed to learn how to row. If you know the waters but don't know how to row, just save your money and take some rowing lessons. To guide on any of the places you mentioned you will need a drift boat (generally speaking). They run around $4,000 and up. Next you will have to get certified on all the sections of the river. Each river is broken down into specific sections that you must row at least 3 times to pass off. For example, a section on the Henry's Fork is "Ora Bridge to Vernon Bridge" or "Vernon Bridge to Chester Dam". This will require a lot of time and money (shuttles, gas, etc.) Like FlyGoddess said, you will also need to be CPR/First Aid certified. Next you will have to get a job through one of the outfitters. You use their license in order to guide. This part of the state is really saturated so unless one of them close or the guide association gives out more licenses, you will have to work for an outfitter. Basically, you can't just say "I want to be a guide" and go start guiding people and having them pay you to take them fishing. Getting hired on can be extremely difficult unless you know the right people (I'm not saying it can't be done). A lot of the time they will have you work in their fly shop for a season or two. That is one helpful thing about a guide school. Most outfitters are looking for people that have a lot of experience on the rivers as well. I hope I am not bursting anyones bubble about wanting to be a guide. I am just trying to be realistic about the way the industry is in Eastern Idaho. If you want to guide on private waters, that's a different story. You don't need all the certifications and what not. You just have to know someone who wants you to guide for their private water. If you want any specifics about anything you can PM me. I hope that is somewhat helpful.
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[duksnfish]

Ok folks, so this was an issue back in Jan when I put a weblink in one of my posts and Chrome Junkie went off the deep end as did a few others about a link to a different website, and come to find out mine was fine, but the link this guy has, based on what is in the bft guidlines is not allowed. Where is CJ now!!! and the other moderators who are supposedly policing the web for these links? Step up guys and clean it up. This goes for you to CJ.
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[flyfishingfool]

I thought blogs were fine. If I am breaking any rules I will get rid of it. I thought the issue was linking to other forums. All I know is that a lot of people have links to blogs. Like I said, I have no issue taking it down if I need to.
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[flygoddess]

I have had a blog for years on here. I thought they were cool. Never questioned it.
It is forum rules to not post other forums, but to be honest, not sure why as every other forum I go to has no problem with it at all.
But, it is the rules here, and we must all follow to belong.

FFF, I did pass the rowing[] I just have to move up there. Great info, thanks.
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[cpierce]

I think blogs are ok too, but I could be wrong. He isn't spamming, promoting a product, nor does he have a competing forum.


BTW it is a great blog!
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[duksnfish]

I dont have an issue either to say the least, but CJ made a huge issue over it and he kept referring me to the rules of BFT. I can post up his PMs on it if anyone wants. But, i suggest everyone look at the rules etc. He sure blasted me in PMs on it. Unless you were a moderator or paid commercial enterprise was what I was told. Up to everyone to comply themsleves, but, what ever everyone wants to do but needs to be consistent by the moderators and users.
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[cpierce]

Sounds like you have some past issues. Please remember that our moderators are just regular guys, and we all make mistakes.

Occasionally I have done some head shaking and wondering about why some particular thing was done or not done on this and on other forums. But for the most part they do a great job in a hard position. You can't please everyone, and sometimes there are different interpretations.


Personally I appreciate the time they take to serve us.
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[ChrisTheFish]

+1
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