| So you're heading to a warm, sub-tropic island for the | | | | be the exact same way with you on the water. |
| first time and you have the budget for exactly one | | | | Remember, you're a beginner at this and you shouldn't |
| day of guided saltwater fly fishing. The outdoor | | | | know everything. Don't be afraid to ask what seem |
| channels and magazines have filled your head with | | | | like dumb questions. To help keep the guide's cell |
| dreams of linebacker sized tarpon at the end of your | | | | minutes to a minimum, here's some of the things you |
| fly rod, but your fishing experience begins and ends at | | | | should go over on the phone: |
| the local bluegill pond. | | | | - Let them know that you're a beginner and will need |
| You've also heard the horror stories of folks booking | | | | some coaching. Their first words should be "No |
| expensive guides who looked so slick on their | | | | problem." |
| websites but turned short tempered and rude with | | | | - Ask what you'll be targeting on your trip and what |
| amateurs like yourself out on the water. It does | | | | you can do to prepare for it. Saltwater fly fishing |
| happen, and forking over $500 to get screamed at all | | | | requires longer casts so be honest about your abilities. |
| day will both ruin your vacation and keep you away | | | | -Decide on the length of your charter. Most guides |
| from the sport forever. Here's how to avoid that. | | | | offer four, six, and eight hour trips. Your trip starts the |
| First the good news. Most charter captains are pretty | | | | minute you set foot on the boat so find out how much |
| decent people. We'll use my former home of Key | | | | actual fishing time you're going to get. |
| West and an example here. When I started guiding | | | | - Ask what you'll be expected to bring. Polarized |
| fifteen years ago there were probably thirty or so full | | | | sunglasses are at the top of this list. |
| time flats guides on the island. I knew all of them by | | | | - Go over the deposit, payment, and cancellation policy. |
| reputation and would have gladly fished with the | | | | That last item is important. You'll need to know exactly |
| majority, but there were some notable exceptions. | | | | what happens if you have to change your plans. It |
| These "guides" I'm talking about, and there were only a | | | | should be fair to both parties. Also ask about a the |
| couple, were egotistical, often hung-over, f-word | | | | guide's weather cancellation policy. You should not |
| screaming, defects. I wouldn't wish them on an enemy | | | | have to go fishing in a thunderstorm. |
| and would cringe when I saw nice young couples | | | | - If you bought a new rod just for this trip, that's great. |
| stepping on their boats, not knowing what they had | | | | Let them know what it is. You should not hear "What |
| coming. And no, I will not name any names here | | | | a piece of junk." If what you have isn't appropriate for |
| because I still go back there occasionally. | | | | what your targeting they should explain why. |
| Even though the screamers are a rare breed, not | | | | - If you'll be using the guide's tackle ask if the fly reels |
| every guide is receptive to beginners. Some guides | | | | are left or right hand retrieve. For some anglers this is |
| simply don't want the hassle and that's fine. Plenty of | | | | an issue. |
| captains are happy to welcome someone to the sport. | | | | - If you have a non-fishing partner that would like to |
| To make the most of your time and money you need | | | | come along ask if they'll be welcome. If the guide has |
| to book someone who's going to be a guide and a | | | | room on the skiff the answer again should be "No |
| teacher. | | | | problem." |
| The best place to start is right here. The internet is an | | | | The best guides will always make time to answer your |
| amazing tool for planning everything on your vacation. | | | | questions. Some of my buddies used to gripe about |
| A quick Google search of your location and the words | | | | returning calls at the end of the day from people who |
| "Fly Fishing Guides" will turn up numerous hits. To save | | | | didn't e-mail them first. Yes, pushing a boat around in |
| time you'll need to fine tune your search. Add the | | | | the sun all day is exhausting, but I'd always point out |
| names of the fish you're hoping to catch, such as | | | | that you're exhausted from fishing. We weren't in an |
| tarpon, bonefish, snook, etc. Be sure to check out | | | | O.R. for the last eight hours separating conjoined twins. |
| some online forums. You'll find a lot of firsthand reports | | | | No matter how wiped out or stressed I am at the end |
| from other anglers written here and you can simply | | | | of the day I can always cheer up and talk fishing for a |
| ask for a recommendation. | | | | few minutes with someone who wants to hire me. |
| Now you should start clicking on the guide's websites. | | | | If your questions are all answered and you feel |
| They should tell you all of the basics. The rates, | | | | comfortable with the person on the other end of the |
| species available, type of gear and boat used, and the | | | | phone then book the trip. The guide should not |
| exact location the trip departs from are some of the | | | | pressure you book immediately but keep in mind that |
| first things you should learn. A page full of hero | | | | open days go quickly in prime seasons. If you're hoping |
| pictures is always nice and another page of | | | | for a Key West tarpon next June make sure to get |
| testimonials from happy customers is a real bonus. | | | | on someone's schedule by Christmas. |
| Most importantly you should see the words "Beginners | | | | Follow up your conversation with an e-mail confirming |
| Welcome." | | | | your dates. It doesn't happen often but guides |
| Since you are beginner a this sport you'll still have | | | | sometimes accidentally double book. Answering the |
| some more questions that the websites might not | | | | phone at happy hour is usually the cause of that. I've |
| answer. Write these questions down then pick up the | | | | double booked charters a couple times and it's |
| phone. Most folk would send an e-mail at this point but I | | | | embarrassing and sometimes difficult to fix. A follow |
| don't recommend that for someone booking their first | | | | up e-mail helps to avoid this. |
| charter. Get the guide's cell number and call them | | | | Once you're set then grab a rod and start casting. If it's |
| instead. After 4 PM is the best time since they should | | | | snowing then find an empty basketball court. You'll |
| be off the water but not yet sitting down for dinner. | | | | need the practice and your guide will appreciate the |
| Having a direct conversation with a guide will reveal a | | | | effort. And remember, no matter where you're |
| lot about the person you're hoping to hire. If they're | | | | headed, the wind is always blowing. |
| abrupt, impatient, or even slightly rude with your | | | | In part two we'll go over what to do on the day of |
| questions on the phone then they're probably going to | | | | your charter. |