| I was having a conversation with an acquaintance | | | | guide, it's quite possible I would have taken a |
| the other day who told me that he was planning | | | | wrong step and perhaps suffered some injury, or |
| a vacation to an area where there are some | | | | at least a ruined day with broken gear. |
| great opportunities for fly fishing. I asked him, "Will | | | | When you are talking with a guide with the idea |
| you be hiring a guide for the river?" | | | | of hiring him or her, be honest with them about |
| My friend thought this was unnecessary. "I know | | | | your fly fishing experience. If you've only been |
| how to cast and fly fish, why would I need to | | | | out a few times, don't tell them you are an |
| spend money on a guide?" he asked. | | | | expert and can wade fast water. It will only make |
| When heading off to unknown waters, it's often a | | | | for a frustrating day for both of you. |
| very good idea to seek out a local guide for at | | | | Be sure to ask your guide if they provide gear |
| least one of the days you will be fishing even if | | | | and what type. Will you need to bring along your |
| you are a seasoned angler. Most guides want you | | | | own waders? What kind of waders does the |
| to be successful and can put you on to the fish | | | | guide recommend? Will they provide the flies and |
| quickly with their local knowledge of the water | | | | if so, is there an extra charge for that? What |
| and fly patterns that are most commonly taken | | | | about lunch? Some guides will provide a boxed |
| by the fish. Often, they will have their own | | | | lunch while others would like you to bring along |
| "secrets" that you won't find on Internet forums | | | | your own. Don't judge a guide by whether or not |
| and message boards. | | | | he provides lunch, however. Some just aren't that |
| If you are a novice, a guide can help you with | | | | great in the kitchen but are terrific on the river. |
| casting problems and will probably be able to | | | | Calling up fly shops that are local to where you |
| teach you about reading water. | | | | want to fish can be a very good way of learning |
| Not only that, a fly fishing guide can help keep | | | | who is recommended in the area. Be sure to find |
| you safe. Many rivers and waters have their own | | | | out whether your guide is trained in basic first aid |
| dangerous areas and knowing where they are and | | | | and let them know of any special medical |
| how to deal with them is often something that | | | | requirements of physical restrictions you might |
| can only come with intimate knowledge of a river. | | | | have. |
| One day, while fishing the Sixemile Water River in | | | | With the two of you working together, you |
| Northern Ireland, I was wading in knee deep | | | | should have a great day regardless of the |
| water when my guide warned me about a deep | | | | conditions you are fishing in. |
| drop off right beside me. If I had not hired my | | | | |