| I value my time. And when I don't have | | | | good guide knows where and when to catch |
| access to a boat and don't want to fish | | | | bait. It's almost never a guessing game. |
| from shore, I don't hesitate to hire a | | | | |
| guide. I especially like using a guide | | | | Stan informed me that the fish would |
| when I'm in a place I've never fished | | | | start biting at Washita Point at sun-up |
| before and/or the location is especially | | | | and travel up "the wall," across the |
| good. But finding a good guide is | | | | lake and down the east side. A good |
| important. And here is where you need to | | | | guide knows the movements of fish, |
| ask some important questions. | | | | according to the time of year and |
| When looking for a guide, a few | | | | conditions. |
| important questions will help you | | | | I should have taken that to the bank. |
| distinguish between the good and the | | | | Sure enough just as the sun came up the |
| bad. I usually do my homework first by | | | | fish started biting. We made a couple |
| getting a fishing report for the area I | | | | of moves along the wall ( a stretch of |
| plan to fish. Then I ask my prospective | | | | the west side of Lake Texoma) until we |
| guide how good the fishing has been. | | | | marked a big bunch of fish. The screen |
| The good ones will give you the straight | | | | was literally black from 30 feet down. |
| story. I've even had some tell me it's | | | | And sure enough we had found the mother |
| not worth coming because the fishing is | | | | lode. |
| so slow. Yes they are giving up some | | | | Just as I was looking at the screen I |
| potential income. But they are so | | | | heard Stan say in his normally calm tone |
| passionate about giving you a good trip | | | | "Hey Norm look at that." |
| that they would rather have you go | | | | With that I spun around to see one of |
| another day when the fishing is better. | | | | the rods bent over in the rod holder! |
| That is the mark of a good guide. | | | | "Cool!" I exclaimed. |
| The bad ones however will generally try | | | | After boating a feisty striper another |
| to paint the best picture. They may | | | | rod went off, and then another. We |
| even lie and tell you the fishing is | | | | ended up with about 5 fish from that |
| great. Stay away from those guides. | | | | school. One right after another! |
| You will be surprised how many times the | | | | We would make a few more moves to try |
| fishing has "suddenly changed" once you | | | | and get in front of the school as it |
| leave the dock. | | | | moved along it's normal summer-time |
| You can also get a good idea of how good | | | | pattern. A few more stops produced a |
| a guide is from their attitude. Once I | | | | total of 20 stripers for the morning. |
| asked a guide what I can expect from a | | | | This was not bad considering it is |
| trip. She told me that we would fish | | | | August, typically a slower time of the |
| until I caught my limit or until noon | | | | year. |
| and that would be it. She didn't seem | | | | As we continued to follow the fish we |
| very enthusiastic. | | | | found a school of fish surfacing near |
| On the other hand, the guide I did hire | | | | shore, chasing bait. We ran in there and |
| said he was going to go out and catch | | | | fired some bait into the area on a light |
| bait before light and we would fish | | | | spinning rod. My first cast was timed |
| until we caught a limit, no matter how | | | | poorly. But the live shad was literally |
| long it takes. Now that's what I wanted | | | | pounced on by a school of smallmouth |
| to hear! | | | | bass! I caught one fish that jumped at |
| A few other tips to help you | | | | least 5 feet into the air! The smallies |
| distinguish the good from the bad. See | | | | were mixed with largemouths and kentucky |
| if they have a web-site. If so look at | | | | bass, all in one spot! We proceded to |
| their reports and pictures. See if you | | | | catch a mixed variety of the bass. |
| can contact other customers. Some guides | | | | Then Stan announced we were going to try |
| will give you references. | | | | for more bait. We made a quick run to a |
| Another great question to ask is how | | | | creek nearby, where he knew the bait |
| many days a year he fishes. If a guide | | | | would b. And sure enough they were |
| is not fishing 200 days or more, he | | | | there. A few throws of the net later |
| probably isn't worth your time. | | | | and we were gone. |
| So now you've done your homework and | | | | When we arrived back at the spot where |
| hired a good guide (hopefully). The | | | | the bass had been we found a school of |
| real reason you want a good guide is | | | | white bass had joined the party! This |
| because he/she will know how best to put | | | | provided us with another hour of great |
| you on fish. Rather than blather on | | | | fishing as Stan would throw a handful of |
| about how they do that, I will just | | | | live chum into the area where I threw my |
| illustrate a trip I recently made. | | | | bait. It didn't take long! I caught a |
| I've been fishing with Stan Constant | | | | few more fish and jumped off a really |
| (Lake Texoma Guide Service | | | | nice smallie. |
| 800-567-FISH)for two years. Every trip | | | | By 1:30 we had elected to go to Alberta |
| with Stan is enjoyable if it's nothing | | | | Creek Marina for lunch. After that we |
| else. He is a personable guy with a real | | | | were back at the dock. Never being the |
| passion for fishing. And the trip I | | | | one to give up fishing, Stan suggested |
| took on August 26, 2002 was no | | | | that I wet a line for a catfish or big |
| different. | | | | drum at the dock. Three large drum |
| I met Stan at Catfish Bay Marina and | | | | later I was ready to start heading for |
| helped him launch the boat. Normally | | | | home. |
| Stan already has the boat in the water | | | | Stan had expertly filleted out my catch. |
| and is loaded up with bait by the time I | | | | I had pictures in the camera. We settled |
| show up. But this day I was very early. | | | | up and shook hands. |
| So I gave him a hand. He was more than | | | | Another fine trip in the books! Again, |
| happy to have me help out. | | | | if you value your time as I do, don't |
| By 6:45am we had all the bait we needed | | | | hesitate to find a guide. A good one is |
| and were heading out of Catfish Bay. A | | | | a wise investment. |