With the outdoor show season upon us, many people seek fishing vacations in remote locations. They need a guide and use sport shows as an opportunity to interview potential guide services. Guides are often miracle workers for those who do not have the time and chances to hone skills desired.

Yes, a guide is often a miracle worker. They can turn a trip right-side-up. However, there are guides and then there are guides. Choosing the right guide for you requires a little time and consideration.

A great guide has not only the outdoor skills needed for the job but also the people skills to make the experience enjoyable for clients. Guides, like everyone else, have a reputation. If you check references, be sure to check their ability to get along with clients as well as their ability to put folks on fish.

Communication is the key to effectively planning a pleasurable fishing trip with a guide. If both parties agree, it is possible to have a great trip and to learn from the experience of the guide. If things are not going according to plan, a guide can recommend changes that may turn a mistake on the lake into a fishing trip to remember.

Everyone who has spent much time in the outdoors realizes that, sometimes, you just do not find fish. Hiring a local guide improves your chances of finding out where to look. Check with local bait shops, but do so with caution. Some “guides” are guys hang out with their friend, the bait shop owner, and may or may not be a good guide.

Generally, guides that are associated with boat and marine manufacturers have the best equipment. It also means that the manufacturer checked him out and tracks his business practices. After all, a guide’s actions can reflect upon the company. The company has too much tied up in their own reputation to risk it on a guide who lacks experience, skill and ethics.

Communication is important when booking a guide. It is important that you can get hold of him/her in case of need. Your family should also be able to contact you through the guide while you are fishing. There may come a time when a member of the family has a problem and needs to contact you. Get a phone number for emergency situations before you leave home. Leave it with the family. 

Not all fishing locations have land line capability. You may need to have a cell, satellite, or radiotelephone number. Satellite phones are most reliable in remote locations like the Canadian Bush. If the guide does not have one, investigate renting one for the duration of your trip.

You and the guide should agree in advance on what species of fish you wish to pursue. That seems obvious, but you need to make sure that both the guide and you are on the same page. It is your trip and you are paying the bills. You should be able to choose the species. If the guide misunderstands what you want, then part of the problem is yours for not making your desire clear. This does not preclude a change of tactics at the last minute due to local conditions. If the species you want to pursue is not biting, then it is appropriate to select another one.

Ask what tackle to bring. Will the guide furnish it or should you bring your own? If you are to bring tackle, then what specifically does he/she recommend?

What will be the actual time on the water? If you are fishing for a half day or full day, it is important to know the actual time that you will be fishing, not including the time spent traveling to and from the fishing location. Know exactly what you are paying for. If the time he/she is quoting is not satisfactory, then negotiate for the time you want. If the guide is expected to clean the fish, ask if the price includes it. Some guides charge extra for cleaning and packaging the fish. You should know in advance.

Many of today’s anglers are supporters of catch-and-release. If you want to release all fish, ask if the guide will agree. It is far better to know up front than to begin releasing fish and find that the guide is upset. Or worse yet, have a guide who wants to release all the fish when you planned to take some home for dinner.

Finally, if the guide gives you a good trip on the water, then plan to tip him. How much? It is a difficult decision but remember that you tip the server at the marina or the bartender the night before about 15 to 20 percent of the tab. That is a good place to start with the guide. If he gives especially good service, then 20-plus percent is reasonable.

Whether you are booking a week-long trip, or just half day to get acquainted with the lake, make sure both of you are on the same page. You can only accomplish this with open communication. A fishing guide may be only a temporary employee, but with mutual understanding, he/she might provide you with the trip of a lifetime.