Good stuff guys. I second Jethro on being more of a lurker on here as over the last 2 years or so I've been struggling with the long rod, still determined though. On that note, I've been considering hiring a guide for me and the old man. I've been doing some research and have a few in mind, but was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations?I like exploring/ learning myself like with most of my other fishing rabbit holes I've been down, but I think a good guide would definitely help.
On that note, I've been considering hiring a guide for me and the old man.
There are a bunch of great ones in the western mass and CT area but depends on what you want to target. The Harrison Brothers run Harrison Anglers out of the Deerfield watershed but they are now licensed in NY as well so they will hit the Deerfield, Hoosic, Housatonic, Millers, Swift, etc. for mostly trout but also do pike trips as well. Another good one in the same area is Chris Jackson. If you want one for the Farmington in CT I'd call Up Country and they can connect you with a host of different guides. Further down in CT you can target more varied species like carp, smallies, as well as trout and pike and I'd recommend a younger guy Rowan Little. He just had Tom Rosenbauer out and they slayed massive carp. Jon can recommend some in PA and there is Master Class Angling if you are looking to go up to Champlain which has amazing variety.
That's exactly what my old man and I did last year. 2 days with a guide at Grand Lake Stream in Maine probably was equivalent to 4 years of fumbling around. Worth every penny.
Im going to be that guy and say guides are going to be more of a crutch vs a valuable learning experience...just going off my own time spent guiding. A majority of the clients I took fishing only cared about 1 thing, catching. That said less time spent on educating vs directing them on what to do to catch.For those of you learning, determine what you want to fly fish for, where you want to fly fish, grab some beers and hop on youtube and start learning. Years ago when I wanted to learn euro nymphing I did just that. I learned from all of the pro's and would learn something new and go apply it to my local waters. I still do this today. Besides you'll want to save the money spent on guides for gear anyways! I'm always willing to lend a hand to anyone who wants to meet up on the CT trout water. Im also starting to get excited for smallies on the fly.
I don’t have much experience with guides but I’m guessing it can be a tough business, especially for clients who just want to “catch” as I don’t have to tell you both that even the best of us can’t guarantee that the weather, or fish will cooperate on any given day. I do know that my son hired a guide in the Bahamas for bonefish (his first time chasing them) and he caught 3 with the guide and learned a ton about the location, stalk and gear that he parlayed successfully in other parts of the Caribbean. His best friend recently hired an ADK guide to teach he and his wife how to fly fish and they caught some trout, learned the basics, and have since bought their own gear. They had a blast. So I guess it’s what you want to get out of it, so you’re both right. I’ve always been one to try to figure it all out myself all these years but teach others what I’ve learned along the way. Or you can just YOU TUBE IT now.
I don’t have much experience with guides but I’m guessing it can be a tough business, especially for clients who just want to “catch” as I don’t have to tell you both that even the best of us can’t guarantee that the weather, or fish will cooperate on any given day.
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Topic: Long Rod Chronicles (Read 102724 times)
