Recently our host, Gordy, asked if I would be willing to do an article about musky fishing from a guide's perspective. He asked me to jot down my observations on what I felt fishermen do wrong. I agreed to see what I could do, but, being a "glass is half full" kind of guy I decided to take the approach of: what can fishermen do better to insure they will have a good day on the water with their guide. Here are a few thoughts for you guys that may help you (and the guide) have a better day. I like to boil this down to three basic concepts that will put you in good shape. These concepts are Preparation, Communication, and Cooperation or as I call it the PCC method of guiding.
First, I think it is important to set some goals for yourself. You may be interested in learning the lake better, trying out some new techniques, catching numbers of fish, or going for that fish of a lifetime. Determining what you have in mind will help you when choosing the guide. Some fellows are great teachers. Others may not be as instructive but can put you on fish. Think about what you would like to get out of the experience and let that help determine your choice. I also suggest that you try to be realistic in your goals and make sure your expectations are reasonable.
I have a friend who has guided the same client for the last nine years. This fellow just wanted to go after huge fish. Every year they went out on "trophy waters" and fished hard all day and some years he booked the guide for several days in a row. Although they caught an occasional fish; it was never the beast he was looking for. The guide felt terrible, but knew that his client had the patience and determination to keep at it. This past fall they finally hit the jackpot and put two fish in the boat over 50 inches. This client was delighted and finally had gotten two fish of a lifetime in two days. The moral is that he was willing to come back year after year knowing that he may not catch a good fish for some time but was determined to stick to his plan as long as it took. Your goal may not be that lofty and that's ok. Just be sure that you can live with the decision you make.
Some of my best guiding trips have been when guys have contacted me and said, "I'm on vacation this week and I want to learn where to go on Lake X. I'd also like it if you can show me how to work a glide bait and teach me something about boat control". That's great and my game plan for the day will be geared toward accomplishing what he's looking for. Other folks may be brand new to the sport or have a son or daughter with them and they just want me to take them out "so the kid can get a fish". That is also a reasonable goal and again I adjust accordingly.
Think about what amount of time you'd like to fish. Half days are probably good enough if you just want the guide to show you some spots to hit on the lake while you're fishing that week. However; musky fishing as you probably know, is a tough sport to begin with and if you want a shot at really catching a fish or two a full day is in order.
So, now that you have an idea of what you want to do, it's time for some homework. I suggest that you start your search for a guide as early as you can. I always hate it when someone comes in the shop and says "can I get a guide for tomorrow and by the way my buddy is in a wheelchair, and we love to laugh it up and have a good time". I look at the guide schedule and see the only guide available is "Grumpy" the guy with a 14' rowboat and no sense of humor. I'm sure you get what I mean. Ask around from others who have gone on guide trips for suggestions. The internet is also a great tool for locating guides. However, I wouldn't use a guide's website alone to make your decision. A phone call or some e-mail at least is in order to talk and get a feel for what the guy is like. You may consider asking for references. Talk to the guide about what your goals are and see if you think he fits the bill. A lot of guides will also be present at sport shows during the winter months either in their own booth or representing a tackle company. Meeting a guide at the show is a good way to get some face to face time and you can probably get a feel for what he is like. Remember that the guide is selling himself and if he is reluctant to give you much time at the show or does nothing but tell you about all his great accomplishments think about that. When I talk to a prospective client I am more interested in what he has to say. In fact if I feel I'm not the right guy for the job I'm happy to point the client in the direction of a guide who I think will be more in line for what they are looking for.
By all means be honest with the guide about what you want and can or can't do. It will help him figure out what he needs to do to make your day a good experience. Once you've decided to book good old "Grumpy" give him the date and lock it in. Most guides request a deposit so take care of that as soon as you can. Make sure you're aware of the fees and any other details. Meeting time and place, lunch arrangements, gear requirements, and any other questions you may have should all be set well in advance of your guide trip.
A few things that I think are essential are raingear, polarized sunglasses, a hat or cap, and camera. Most guides provide rods, reels, and tackle. Take advantage of the opportunity to use the stuff the guide uses. There's probably a good reason why he uses this gear and it gives you the chance to try something that is really "guide tested". If you have a favorite rod/reel or some baits then you may want to bring them along but don't show up with a whole trunk full of tackle that will crowd the boat. The big day finally arrives and you're ready to go….right? Well, the guide certainly hopes so. Make sure you're at the designated meeting spot on time. Hopefully you have had the common sense not to be out until 3:00 am hooting it up with the boys and girls at the local saloon and the idea of a rocking boat is already turning you green. From the time you meet up with your guide some of the best advice I can give is to let him do his job. Guides get into certain routines about boat launching, preparation, and so on that work for them and will get you on the water and fishing as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to offer assistance but don't feel put off if he says "no thanks, I got it".
You're out to have fun so hey, have some fun. Lively conversation and good natured joking around can make the day all that much more enjoyable. On the way to your first spot is a good time to go over any procedures such as netting, handling, and release of fish. This is also a good time to make the guide aware of the location of your camera and any simple operating instructions. Nobody wants to waste time learning how to open the lens or locating the shutter release while their partner is holding a squirming musky. Once you get to your first spot the guide will probably give you an idea of what to do, suggest a lure, etc. Take his advice. You are paying for his expertise in this regard so it will be to your advantage to follow his suggestions. He has a reason for giving you a specific bait for a situation and telling you to cast in a particular direction.
The guide will also be watching how you handle yourself especially early in the day. If you don't cast very far he may move closer to a structure or give you some advice as to how to improve your casting distance. He wants you to catch fish and will make adjustments to put the odds in your favor. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes we assume that a client knows something and only find out later that he really didn't have a clue as to what we were talking about. Try to follow any instructions as closely as possible and if you're not sure, ask. There is no need to try to impress the guide with your knowledge or technique. He will know within the first fifteen minutes how good a fisherman you are. There is also no need for embarrassment on your part. The first time I booked a guide I was scared stiff that I'd get a backlash and the guy would think I was a total amateur. When I did get one I tried to hide it (seems pretty funny now) but all he said was, "need a hand with that?" As I recall he got one later in the day too!
Fishing is the big deal of the day, but other things crop up too. If you need a little rest break let the guide know. That might be just the time to motor over to another spot or even a different lake. Getting hungry? Good, it's about time! Lunch arrangements should be determined ahead of time. I'm happy to bring a sandwich and eat in the boat if that is what client wants. I've also been with guys who want to stop at a local restaurant and have an hour and a half feast. Just let the guide know what you'd like to do so he can adjust his game plan. An old tradition is for the client to buy the guide's lunch. That is certainly appreciated but I feel not an absolute. I will reach for my wallet to pay my share of the bill unless the client offers. Some of the older guides tend to expect that you are buying so don't be surprised if "Grumpy" sits on his hands when the smiling waitress arrives with the tab!
Back on the water or at least feeling refreshed from a little break and you're ready to hit it hard. So is the guide. If you've had good luck in the morning then he wants to finish the day off with a bang. If the morning was slow he's feeling the pressure of getting some action going. Either way you're both pretty well on target by this time. He will have had a chance to observe your fishing style and make some suggestions or corrections. You will also be more comfortable with him and a bit more at ease. The second half of the day is frequently more productive. You are now working more as a team instead of just a teacher/student relationship and have a better shot at working the fish more effectively.
Staying focused and keeping a good attitude even if the fishing has been slow is critical at this time. A friend of mine told me once that he visualizes a musky following his bait on every cast and watches for it. That can be hard to do at times, but I tell you it works. If you keep that kind of focus up and remember that the next cast could be the one that pops a big fish for you, it will happen. Late in the day it is common for guys to get a little sloppy with their figure 8 or to be paying more attention to that mama loon that is 30 yards out. I'll tell you right now that muskies seem to instinctively know when you're goofing off and take advantage of it to break your heart. Be sure to pay close attention to the first and last part of your cast and retrieve. By my estimate most hits will occur in the first few cranks of the reel handle. You'll also get a fair percentage as the bait approaches the boat and you start your figure 8. A surprisingly small number of hits come in the middle of the retrieve.
So, you're getting toward the end of the day and ready to wrap things up. Sometimes a guide is willing to go over the agreed upon time. However, remember that this is his job and he may have other commitments in the evening or just need to prep for the next days client. Be respectful of his time. More often than not you will get more than you paid for. Speaking of pay, this is the time to take care of that. Don't make the guide ask for it (well, if Grumpy was a real jerk and you want to pull his chain…). Some customers in the shop ask me about tipping guides and here's my feeling on that subject. No guide should "expect" a tip. However, if you feel the guide has done a good job for you and at least helped you accomplish the goals that you set out then a tip is greatly appreciated. As to the amount, it's up to you. I will tell you this, a guide appreciates the fact that you tip at all because it's a confirmation to him that he did his best to show you a good day on the water.
Well, there are a few thoughts from me about the PCC method. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments on things you think I may have missed. I'd be happy to also continue this discussion on the chat board. One other thing comes to mind. YES, I do hire guides when I go to other areas. Good Luck, be safe, and I hope this helps you make the best of your next guide trip. Pete Stoltman, Last Cast Guide Service, St. Germain, Wisconsin - http://www.lastcastguideservice.com (715) 542-4142
Click the mailbox to e-mail. Last updated on ... January 14, 2005