Benefits of a guide trip

3/12/2019

FOR THE BEGINNER!

Beginning anglers comprise well over half of all guide trips at Wildwood Outfitters. For those just looking to break into the sport, or those who have recently tried to learn it on their own, a guide trip can be extremely beneficial. It's much easier to learn a new habit than it is break an old, and fly fishing is no exception to that. A beginner on a guide trip has a chance to lay a great foundation of skills that can be built upon either through future guide trips or solo excursions after our day on the water. Knowing that you've learned the correct cast, drift, hook-set, etc. makes all the difference in the world when the guide trip is over and you want to go out on your own!

Another great benefit for beginners is not having to purchase hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars' worth of gear. Rods, reels, line, flies, waders, packs, nets, and the million other accoutrements that make up a day on the water can really put a dent on the wallet. For a beginner, that's a pretty heavy investment into something that you aren't really sure about yet! A guide trip affords you the chance to use top notch gear without that initial startup investment.

Steelhead are excellent fish to target during winter and spring!

FOR THE EXPERIENCED ANGLER!

"I already know how to fly fish, so I don't really need a guide trip!"

It's something we hear all the time, and in fact it's a thought process I once subscribed to. It was only after a trip to Wyoming where I realized the error in this thinking. On this vacation my wife and I had neither the space for gear in the car nor the luxury of time to scout out productive spots and patterns, so we employed the time and services of a guide.

While the trip may have originated out of convenience, it quickly became a great learning opportunity. Fly fishing guides are constantly tweaking their craft to improve and get more fish in the net for guests. Anglers of all skill levels, guides included, can sometimes benefit from seeing other techniques and strategies used to address fishing scenarios.

It's also a great opportunity to relax on the water for a day! Imagine a day fishing where someone ties all the knots, nets all the fish, takes all the pictures, wakes up early to pack lunch, drives around all day while you look for deer and otters, then adds some comedic relief on top of all that! It's essentially like having a fish caddy for the day and it can be really fun for even the most experienced of anglers.

Big streamers and brown trout are an irresistible combo!

FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS NEVER EVEN HEARD OF FLY FISHING AND ISN'T SURE ABOUT A GUIDE TRIP!

One of the greatest benefits to a guide trip is that it's really fun! Spending a day in nature, relaxing, and catching some fish is therapeutic in ways that few activities can match. Success of the day goes far beyond numbers of fish in the net, though that is a big part of it! Wildlife is there to be observed, fresh air to be breathed in, and a new sport to be learned. What could be better?

A guide trip is often the start of a lifelong obsession with fly fishing. I get dozens of emails that start out something like, "you took me on a guide trip years ago and since then I've fished all of the streams near my house and am looking at getting a new rod." Folks go into a guide trip indifferent about the sport and leave addicted, pining for their next adventure on the water fly fishing!