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Post by Slartybardfast on Aug 10, 2009 14:35:37 GMT -5
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Post by trent on Aug 10, 2009 15:54:47 GMT -5
Are you all in the skin head pilots league?
Cool shots and nice looking river.
As for the guide situation, it seems to be really hit or miss. How did you find the guy that took you out? Did you just walk into the shop and ask for a guide?
I'm thinking you might have better luck if you have time to research ahead of time to get some guide recommendations for wherever you are headed.
I personally prefer to fish unguided, having done both, but there are definitely situations where I would want one if I ever find myself in them. Hope you have a better experience next time!
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Post by Slartybardfast on Aug 10, 2009 16:08:24 GMT -5
Hey Trent,
We get asked if we are brothers or body guards all the time. We just walked into the shop and made an appointment for a guide. I wanted some knowledge on fishing nymphs and spots. I'll chalk it up to a learning experience and research before hiring another one.
Trout fishing this river was really tough. My buddy was learning to cast and had a good time. The pool we were fishing had many trout in it but we weren't catching them. I was not clear on how deep to set the indicator and how much split shot to use for a drag free drift. I wonder how many strike I had that I just didn't realize. A guy next to us caught seven while we were there. I just need more time on the water.
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Post by reelteacher on Aug 10, 2009 19:52:53 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your pictures and video. Very cool stuff. I'm sorry about the guide. You just never know how your guide will be. That's probably why my father and I have never hired a guide. But, unfortunately that's why I'm not much of a guide myself. Too much pressure to put people on fish, when there is money on the line. Plus, I would have to give up our family secrets. Dad still has a few he won't tell me.
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Post by flyfishingpastor on Aug 10, 2009 20:44:04 GMT -5
JC;
I have used guides a LOT when fishing new water and I've had some pretty good experiences and some really miserable experiences. When I fish new water in a place I'm not familiar with, I always get a guide for a half day to show me how to fish that water and what the fish are eating in that area - then I/we go it alone after that.
Trent is correct, BEFORE we go we do a great deal of research. But, one thing to remember is to not be afraid to let the guide know EXACTLY what you want. If you are looking for instruction rather than just a place to fish, be clear up front that's what you're looking to get. If you don't, you're going to get some guy taking you fishing. It might be helpful to you and it might just be helpful to him or her. Be a wise consumer and you'll get more bang for your $.
Pat
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Post by barryl on Aug 11, 2009 13:26:47 GMT -5
Looks like great water, I have fished Tenn. and SC but as of yet have not got the chance to go N.E.
Don't give up on the guide thing. I'm with Pat, new water and new area I will hire a guide because most of them have spent a lot of time on the waters you are about to fish. I have had some bad experiences with guides and I use sites like this to promote the good ones and demote the bad ones. A great guide is hard to come by, but when I find one I'm likely to go back to that area and hire them again and again, you learn a lot in a short period from a very good guide. Also remember they are in the people pleasing business. If I'm happy with them I reward them for it, if not I tell them hoping they improve or change professions.
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Post by krebsie on Aug 12, 2009 5:50:04 GMT -5
John cool video and pics. Have to agree with Pat and Barry about the guide. One thing that I've found is even though I may not know as much as the guide, I've found that when I let them know right up front what I expect from them, and I'm usually a bit snooty/demanding/rude about it, they generally thank me for letting them know what I expect. I've had guides tell me thank you for letting me know because now they know how to please me, and that's their job! And most guides want to please their customers. Be specific about what you want to like No smoking, youre not fishing, you're providing the flies... make sure you have this conversation before you head out to fish, cause if your guide doesn't agree with your demands, find another!
Remember YOUR the CUSTOMER/BOSS!
Krebsie
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Post by rstaight on Aug 12, 2009 8:49:32 GMT -5
John,
Nice pics, my wife has relatives in NJ and those pics just re-started the itch to go trout fishing there.
I think everyone has hit the guide situation on the head. Don't give up on guides because of one bozo. Look at it as a learning experience.
Before I hired my first guide in Florida I did alot of research. I even emailed a few to see what they offered. The guide I did hire came on the recomendation of the guy running the New Pass Bait and Grill in Longboat Key. Longboat Key is outside of Sarrassota.
The guide is Capt. Greg Abbott. When I called him he asked exactly what I wanted. He didn't do fly fishing but that was fine with me. He put me on so many sea trout that it actually started to get boring. I didn't even bait my hook, he did everything. He finally picked up a rod after I insisted he fish awhile. He caught one fish and set the rod down.
I have hired Greg twice and will again if I get back to Sarassota.
I have also hired a guide while fishing in the Smokies. Sorry I can't remember who it was, he worked for the fly shop in Gatlinburg. He didn't fish either but he did put me on fish. I don't know if I'll hire another guide for the Smokies, but I did learn the techniques to fish in the park.
Most guides are not bozo's, most want to please, they just need to know what you want.
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Post by Slartybardfast on Aug 12, 2009 11:03:34 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I haven't given up on guides but know what expectations to set forth before committing.
Rick,
Do you have a phone number for Capt Abbott? Can I use you as a reference? My job gets me down to Sarasota and Ft Myers a few times in the winter.
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Post by rstaight on Aug 12, 2009 12:18:04 GMT -5
John,
It's been quite a while since I have been down there so I don't know if he'll remember me. The first time I hired Capt. Abbott was the first time I had been saltwater fishing other than a party boat. What may jog his memory is when we went into the Gulf for a while. I was using a 6-1/2 ft spinning rod with 10lb test line and a 30lb bite leader and hook into what he estimated to be a 160lb Tarpon!
My avatar is a picture with one of the redfish I caught with him on my last trip. The area was suffering from a red tide and he was still able put me on fish.
Capt. Greg Abbott's number is 941-302-4734. He is a little more expensive then others but his service is well worth the cost. It's been 3 or 4 years and he was asking $300 for 4 hours then.
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