So You Want to Be a Fly Fishing Guide? April Vokey Answers...
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- Опубликовано: 5 дек 2022
- I share my personal journey until 4:21. Feel free to skip to 4:22 to hear more on guide planning, personality, finances, expectations, burnout and more.
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This video pretty much says it all. Well done! I've been a fishing guide for more than 30 years, and I couldn't have said anything more or said it any better. Thank You. I think this video should be viewed by all aspiring young guides
April: Wow! I've been guiding for 30 years in NorCal, outfitting for over half of it and of course have thought of doing something similar myself.I managed to raise two healthy and happy kids, put enough away for retirement and stay married to the same gem for 36 years while guiding full time! I recently turned 69 and am conducting my last guide trip in two days on Thursday, December 8th as my OG back and arthritic hands have given up, so your video could not have come at a more meaningful time for me. Your essay was more than masterful, a beautiful piece of art that is more than the sum of its' insightful parts. I often tell guide prospect's my favorite author John Geirach's joke: Be careful if you try to make a living out of something you love because it can turn out to be like love making. Better to be an amateur than a pro! FYI We've crossed paths on a few occasions, first at the California shows when you first arrived and I introduced your program when you presented after me, later a few times on the Bulkley and Kispiox. I've followed you ever since. You are simply amazing, I am a huge fan of your work. I hope to see you again and perhaps share a day on a local water if you are traveling through Mt. Shasta or doing a feature on the dam removal on the Klamath in the next few years? Just drop me a line. Craig
I’ve guided for 30 years. Just recently retired and decided to fish for pleasure. I must say I miss it. Didn’t think I would, but I do. I guess it’s become a part of me. I love teaching, laughing, sharing the excitement of a fish and the great feeling at the end of a good day. You video brought back lots of memories. Your insight is great and true. Thanks.
I’m an outfitter and what I offer my guides in way of retirement is simply advice: save early and save often. Learn a very strong skill like coding, book keeping, motion graphics, sales closing, or so on to make the bulk of your money off season, then have fun guiding.
Even though I’m an outfitter and guide, I also own a video marketing and brand strategy company. I make videos for businesses to help them grow. It’s my other passion: storytelling.
It’s important to follow your passion much more than your dreams. It’s important to put in the hard work of figuring out how to make your passion make you money.
Yes, be a guide, but also be an entrepreneur and your family won’t have to be hungry. (:
I kind of wish this video had been available before I started guiding 40+ years ago. Great job April, keep telling it straight!
Thank you for investing your time in producing this excellent overview of a fishing guide’s lifestyle realities.
Hey there, recognized the Whistler Fly Fishing hat on your guest. That was a great shop, and I bought a shit ton of gack there. Very much missed in town.
Great video! Gonna make it required watching for my Shop Staff and Guides in training.
It's funny how spot on this is. I'm a guide, and yeah.... I also live out of a vehicle. I flop from montana to Florida. I never see family. Don't have relationships. Finances suck. Basically, just eat beans, rice, and trout. But..... my life is a dream. I haven't been guiding for very long. But the biggest thing to me Is how you communicate and engage with your clients. If you're good, you can turn a terrible day into something amazing.
April, that was excellent. Well done!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautifully shot and great editing.
Thanks April! This is as important to clients to realize what “real” expectations as it is to aspiring anglers who want to make the jump to guiding! Great job!!
April,
This is an excellent presentation. You are a good writer and very atriculate. This is well organized and easy to listen to. It is very easy to come off as above, or better than whomever might stick around long enough to hear the all too common boasting of the exclusive guide class.
I live in a very popular destination sports and fishing community. I see guides come and go, probably because of the behavior just mentioned above. Outfitters should use this video as orientation to new guides. I would hate to see the reputation of guides fall the the level of tennis and skiing instructors in this area. Good job. Your personal dedication and professionalism is clear.
See you on the water.
Tom
Thank you so much, Tom!
Thank you Amy. You have all my respect for loving our addiction and a tremendous work ethic. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
I really appreciate this video. I’ve watched a few people burn out from guiding and it’s tough to watch. I’ve loved fly fishing so much for so many years and have a serious collection of memories, materials, and experience. I just couldn’t make it my job.
This is a extremely helpful video that not many guides talk about. Especially "shore based" fishing guides and i think i can say this for so many, we wish there were more like this going from the steps of creating a name to registering with the irs to social media coverage so on and so forth. This step would be fantastic. I live in CT and am looking and have for last year or 2 and have the itch to be a surf fishing guide. Here in CT. Thank you.
Well said young lady, life is an interesting journey. The odds are you will never get independently wealthy as a fly-fishing guide. If that's your goal, forget about it. I highly recommend having a good paying profession for 30 to 40 years, learn the business as guide part time if desired on your days off. Once you can financially afford to be a guide, guide full time or part time once you retire, that's if you want to keep busy and work your ass off during retirement.
My own experience, guiding & teaching is a great part time job in retirement, you will meet lots of great fish, beautiful locations and interesting anglers from all walks of life.
Thanks for the honesty 😊
April - If the day should come that you grow tired of guiding... you could have a career in Voice work. Your diction is flawless and the tone of your voice is pleasant and easy to listen to. I really enjoyed this video as an avid angler who has resisted guiding over the years for all of the reasons you aptly described. Well done! I used to see you running trips occasionally in the Chilliwack area years ago.
Thanks for this, something every fly angler should watch!
Well done April! Truth right there.
The pinnacle of flyfishing mastery is the ability to catch fish with someone else’s (usually less competent) hands.
This is one of the best fishing-related videos I have ever seen on youtube. it puts into perspective a lot of ideas i have. thank you so much for making this video.
good clips of Gene,world class water!
So impressed by your journey! Hats off! Way to go!
What incredible insight expressed within this video. I love the way this was filmed as well as the research and personal input that went into this. I think the whole notion of being a guide goes a bit deeper and can be summarized and related to our every day life. The question that becomes extremely evident is "are we truly happy with what we do and WHY?" For most people taking on a job that follows a hobby seems like a dream scenario until they realize the blood, sweat, and tears that must go into pursuing such a passion. For others however that "hobby" is not really a hobby but more or less an extension of who they truly are as a person, and also who they continue to strive on becoming. It's within this difference that separates those who have the capacity to pursue it from those who do not. Nothing in this life is easy, and how we choose to approach our problems exposes how we can or cannot handle indifference and struggle. I guess my point to all of this is the concept of guiding is no different than our everyday problems and can be easily related as such. It's one thing to be passionate about fishing, it's another to be able to truly breathe it in every second of every day and feel fulfilled in every sense of the word.
Beautifully said!!
Stupendously done! Many thanks as always.
What a great video to watch from a client perspective. Always had huge respect for guides, tough job.
I just wrapped up my third season after dropping out of med school. This sums it all up so well so far!
Every time I've used a guide, I always set the tone right at the beginning of the trip, by telling them that they are not responsible to put fish on my fly. Just get me to the well known lies and give me a fighting chance of a hookup. My most memorable days out was fishing in a pool with fish heading and tailing all day. I had no hookups but the anticipation was sublime
Great video especially for people who don’t want to be a guide , hopefully it gives prospective to would be anglers on what really is the life of a guide and in most cases on how they want you to not only succeed at catching fish but understanding the resource and the beauty that surrounds it . Thanks for the video.
Happy Trails
Thank you April, this video was so informative. ❤️👍🔥
Excellent well articulated video!
I enjoy what I'm doing but if I were to rewind the clock I would definitely go for it. What a great career choice!
This was a great video. Very informative. I know Ill probably never guide but love for being a fish bum will always be there.
Well done! I think everything you said is spot-on. Also very much what most of the “new-age” guides are going to figure out the hard way. On the same note, also why I personally won’t be a professional guide. I know for a fact, it will ruin fun fishing for me! Really appreciated this!!
Wow what awesome insight across all aspects!
I just interviewed with Bristol Bay Lodge in Alaska, and they offer a matching 401(k) program for returning guides starting at year 2. I turned them down for a different lodge, but I think it's important for young guides to set up some sort of retirement plan, like a Roth IRA account, and put a bit of money aside from every paycheck.
For those of you wanting to work in Alaska, just know you work 7 days a week for 120-145 days straight.
Myself and other guides I know definitely deal with mental health issues, especially during the off season. For those of you guiding in Idaho/Montana/Wyoming, Redside Foundation has mental health and financial help resources for all professional outdoor guides.
For all of you saying not to turn your passion into a job, how do you think it would be if your fishing guide actually hated fishing? If you want good guides, they need to be passionate about guiding, teaching, and yes, fishing. Remember it is important to not only be a good angler, but teacher, and good steward of the resource.
A very realistic assessment April.
You nailed it April....."Retirement for a guide, Death". LOL
So you want to be a guide :) Love it!
NZ has a pro guide association that does a really good job of assuring clients of a quality fishing guide experience. Sure, it helps to have some of the best trout fishing in the world, but with that reputation and gazzilions of YT videos with fishers releasing enormous fish all day can set unrealistic expectations. We used two guides for 4 or our fishing days in the month fishing there and I must say one would be crazy to spend all the money to go to NZ and not at least start out with a NZ certified guide. Man, did they take a hit during NZ's strict Covid lockdowns.
As clients there is some etiquette on our end too. Like don't fish the same rivers or at least areas of rivers where your guide takes you. One guide told me that he had some Aussies do just that. Two days after fishing with the guide they were the first ones at a very small spring creek parking area that really only has room for one group per day in that stretch of water. Most clients might agree and assume that kind of behavior is unethical and unfair "per se," but I wonder how most guides handle that sort of thing? Doesn't really matter on larger rivers, but still, it's likely a problem anywhere you find honey holes.
Anyway, this is a good watch for guides AND their clients. Managing expectations must be the toughest part of the job.
Hello April,
Very nice video, well done. Lots of proper information about guiding. Some important aspects I was missing though.
1. Comparing guiding in clear water, where you see fish and the client's fly compared to guiding in water, where you can't see fish nore the client's fly. I work in both situations and they are coming along with very different requirements for both me and my clients.
2. When a guide starts guiding in young age or on a new species of fish, working full time (not leaving time to fish and quickly learn oneself), how can one become an expert in fishing, especially where you can't see fish nore flies (and thus learn 10 times slower)? I have been the client myself with many guides and a fair percentage knew very little about the fishing. This happened especially in those lodges somewhere in the jungle and then they had their guides just having worked for 1, 2 or 3 years, but already taking hundrets of dollars a day.
3. Should a guide be able to teach properly how to a) fish (with a variety of techniques available), b) cast and c) tie flies or just manover a boat and offer a few hints here and there (as many still do)?
4. The differences between guiding, teaching and hosting trips.
About the rules you offered, I was missing the 2 most important ones for myself:
1. My client pays me, so obviously only he/she decides what he/she wants to achieve by my service.
2. I make sure to know this before the day starts, not when the day is over.
Clients are all individuell. There are no one or two guidelines how to support making their fishing time most valuable for them. It's a life long learning process!
Kind regards
Bernd
Excellent!!
When you described how you became a guide, that was good story telling; reminded me of John Gierach. You should consider writing a book.
Gary Colford @ Country Haven Miramichi in Gray Rapids, New Brunswick is the best of the best when it comes to guides!!!
Hilary is a legend.
Here the midwest there is famous outdoorman called babe winkleman while his story maybe lucky or unique.i think there are soome lesson to learn.babe was forced back to fishing for mental and health problems.his success is because of hard work and entrepreneur
Should go to Colorado, I'm flying the great lakes systems,and doing northern ny I'm not cheap. Canada. But a trout stream is a trout stream,4 seasons under water
Nice content, congrats!
"I stuck out like dogs balls"...poetic 😅
excellent!
in Jackson WY area there are hundreds (if not thousands) of ski bums who are instructors or doing some other seasonal job at the resort in the winter... they're also fishing bums who are guides in the summer. Most of them are struggling to make ends meet living in filthy apts driving 2nd hand Kias and Subarus. If you're still in high school you need to work extra hard to go to a good college... and be one of those fly fishing enthusiasts like a lawyer from NYC, engineer from SF, doctor from LA. Guiding is the last thing you ever want to do (unless you have super rich parents)... That's my answer
Hi April! (Your favourite Supervisor in the casino) 😂
Well Done April
I guide at a lodge on a creek in Arkansas you are familiar with from your youth. The clientele has change from trout bums to corporate team building and Corp clients. I am always on the look out for other guides 5 min elevator pitch on casting, setting hook, and playing fish. 95% of my clients have never touch a fly rod and 50% of them have no intention of ever continuing pursuing the craft. I have 4 hrs to get them to catch a fish and enjoy themselves. What is your kick off teaching speech?
April, great video, camera work, & info for those considering this as a career. Did I really see a bamboo spey rod?
Going to say this as a new fly fisher; (started fishing in May of 2022) if and when I hire a guide I only expect 2 things. To be taught, and to be accompanied. If I pay 500 bucks to catch fish I'm an idiot. Who the hell does that? No fish is worth 500 bucks to me (some may feel otherwise) If i pay that kind of money for a day out on a river I want to be taught something I can use over and over again. Yesterday I spent 8 hours out on the Provo River in Utah, Snowed like hell, wind, 20f out.1 bite but the fish jumped and got off. Wanted to snap my fishing rod in half. Nothing I tried worked. Those kind of days are just not fun. I have lists of flies to try, and techniques to learn. It would have been awesome to have someone else there with more experience to say "slow down there stupid! put this on, and drag it on the bottom of some of those deep pools" anyway. 'nuff said.
❤
I had a friend who fished for a living, he said don't do it. He died while fishing and was a great outdoorsman. He said it becomes a job, instead of an escape from the job.
I have absolutely no desire to be a fishing or hunting guide but this is a great video packed with realistic info. And you're very easy to listen to.
(And look at but I digress)
👍👍👍✌
Respect for sure but I would love the time just to get away from people with one of my fly rods. You're on your own 😆
Jet boat lol
Fishing is my selfish time. Alone time. I've contemplated guiding but quickly realize I don't compromise and I don't suffer fools.
Quickest way to quit loving something is do it for a career.
Unfortunately, guiding has changed as our resources have been over pressured with the popularity of fly fishing. Guiding used to be a respected career. It definitely is a tough job with a lot of responsibility and requires a lot of skill. It has come to the point where people making money off a public resource are viewed as taking more than their fair share of the resource and contributing to the demise of the outdoor experience. It is a sad state of affairs.
This is so true.
$100 per day as a guide in Alaska? 😂😂😂
Demand is high for female guides (even higher if she got the looks) since majority of clients are men (so they can enjoy something else besides catching fish).
Should've studied much harder in high school (shouldve gone to Berkeley or Stanford studying engineering or med school)
Never turn your passion or hobby into a job. Just my two cents.
You are not a guide the man in the video is doing all the work so what that grew up around real fisherman