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[DRP79]

I know that there are countless days, hell, years that go into gaining experience but what are some routes that lead to being paid to fish?

They say that if you can find a way to get paid for something you are passionate about, you will never "work" a day in your life.

Sure sounds like a sweet concept

[VA7DDP]

Non-Tidal:  http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/applications/process/angling_guide.html#eligibility

Tidal: http://www.itabc.ca/program/tidal-angling-guide

[Tex]

There are a number of different routes, and much of it surrounds where you'd like to fish: freshwater or salt?

I personally guided saltwater for years up in the Haida Gwaii (Charlottes). Most of the folks I knew who guided up there got in one of two ways:

1) Got hired on as dockstaff and over the course of 1-3 years, proved their worth and got "promoted" to guiding
2) Cut their teeth as guides down here closer to Vancouver, and then after building experience applied for and got hired on as a guide up north.

Both take years and can be rough, but rewarding (mentally rewarding, though generally not monetarily rewarding; it's a lot of work for moderate to poor pay, believe it or not).

I was fortunate and got hired straight on as a guide, but that was after fishing up there one trip and getting to know the fishmaster really well.

For freshwater, the avenues are different. Someone else here can probably speak better to this topic, but basically you can be an assistant freshwater guide (under a head guide, usually as part of a guiding outfit/company), or you can be a head guide and run your own operation (have to get properly licensed, and this takes $$$ I believe).

Remember, guiding *can* be seasonal, but if you're willing to build relationships, move around, and fish different areas/countries, you can do it year round.

You'll probably never get rich, nor even get overly comfortable from a financial standpoint, and your relationships may suffer (long-term girlfriends/boyfriends/spouses + guiding RARELY mix well), but you WILL have some of the most incredible experiences of your life.

Good luck!

[DRP79]

Many thanks. I have some reading to do.

[Rodney]

You may also want to check out http://www.fraservalleyanglingguides.com/

[DRP79]

I would definitely lean towards freshwater and would prefer locally. Its not something I would sacrifice my relationships for.

[Every Day]

I've been thinking about looking into it as well....
It seems harder than I thought, doesn't seem like there are too many walk and wade guiding companies on the island.
Not exactly ready to launch my own business either, we'll see what happens after university is done I guess.

If anyone knows of one (guiding company on Van Island looking for someone), let me know. I'd love to talk to them.

Cheers,
Dan

[DRP79]

I've not been here long but I would have no problem paying for a day out with you Dan. I would think you would have as good a chance as anyone at making that leap. Unless all the pics are just a testament to your Photoshop skills ;-)

That would be right up my alley though, walk and wades. Just the thought of doing that for a living puts a smile on my face.

[BigFisher]

Just remember who Dan learned everything from.

[testo84]

lol Ryan

[riptide]

Sounds like a dream come true but if there was a downside to the walk and wade style of river fishing and guiding on Van Island or any river in fact  it would be showing clients your special or secret holes. Ultimately as a guide you have to get your clients into fish , the decision to take them " the spot " when all else fails has to be made . Nothing worse than showing up a week later on your day off  to find your client with 3 of his friends fishing your honey hole . Viewing your pics and videos over the years we can see you have some beautiful and secluded spots , hopefully the ace up your sleeve is to keep them to yourself and your lady . Not trying to tell you something you haven't already thought of or be negative, just putting it out there. You certainly have the following  , if you more than enough spots to make it work .. go for it.

[clarkii]

Better yet, dont guide where you fish.

Buddy of mine is from the Island, will be guiding in the kootenay's next summer.

[Every Day]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

I've definitely thought of that riptide. There are definitely a number of flows I would never take a person too unless they were from out of country. That said, I would have no problem taking island locals trying to figure out their home river, etc to my honey spots on those flows, I always have a few tricks up my sleeve to pick up fish behind people afterwards

Guiding is definitely a balancing act, and I do understand that. I'd love to give it a try at some point. At some point I'd love to get a boat too so I can fish the bigger rivers more effectively like the cowy, stamp, salmon, etc. So many large, underutilized flows that have lots of fish. It's funny though, since I do just as well as the boats on a lot of those flows off the banks. Boats just help cover water faster and are more comfortable for clients that might not have the easiest time walking/wading. Good option to have.

Just remember who Dan learned everything from.

Almost fell off my chair, although we did start steelheading together lol

[A Frayed Knot]

Guiding is a fun career. Can be fairly rewarding, I don't do fishing guiding as of yet but I have family/relatives who runs or ran a lodge in Tofino and Haida Gawaii though I think they sold that lodge it was somewhere near Masset if I recall. I would love to be able to go work there for a summer season to see what its like.

However I am trying a different route (better training/certs which are important for customer piece of mind) and work for a company that does outdoor guiding from adventure hikes, mountain climbing, hunting, and wildlife safaris. They are located all over the world. BC, Alaska, Siberia, Australia and so on.
From there maybe work for DFO they need more bodies on the water/river.

Thankfully there are a lot of ways to go out about it all, trouble is finding the right way. I think the best way is to keep in touch with a few small lodges and work your way up. Dockhands are a great way for sure, and any backgrounds that can help them as well as yourself in the industry is important.

OFA 2 / Wilderness First Aid
PAWGI Certifications.
Marine Safety Courses ( marine radio courses ect)
Firearms Safety
To a lesser extent Customer Service but Communication skills are a must.

I think most of the above should be mandatory training, because anything can happen and will happen on your watch. None of the above will hurt your chances at working at a lodge. Especially when you guide places with a lot of risk of running into wildlife,
Pitt River and Dean River, are to big examples. Most of the guided trips are flown in via float plane or helicopter.
Being prepared for anything, then of course, you have to master the rules and regulations, you can go to DFO website and they will send you a free PDF file to study then its like a $75 online course I think?

But its a lot of fun if you can get through all the government red tape. The seasonal part can be hard depending on the fishing you target. I think places like Haida Gawaii, is great because the fishing up there is year round, halibut and other bottom fish, salmon, and steelhead if you boat to mainland rivers. Just be ready to pick up and move! That is certainly going to happen, its very hard to get work close to home.


I wish you luck and I hope find your way in!
 

[clarkii]

Dont forget swift water rescue certification.


Which is something im looking at getting anyway.