So you're heading to a warm, sub-tropic island for the first time and you have the budget for exactly one day of guided saltwater fly fishing. The outdoor channels and magazines have filled your head with dreams of linebacker sized tarpon at the end of your fly rod, but your fishing experience begins and ends at the local bluegill pond.
You've also heard the horror stories of folks booking expensive guides who looked so slick on their websites but turned short tempered and rude with amateurs like yourself out on the water. It does happen, and forking over $500 to get screamed at all day will both ruin your vacation and keep you away from the sport forever. Here's how to avoid that.
First the good news. Most charter captains are pretty decent people. We'll use my former home of Key West and an example here. When I started guiding fifteen years ago there were probably thirty or so full time flats guides on the island. I knew all of them by reputation and would have gladly fished with the majority, but there were some notable exceptions. These "guides" I'm talking about, and there were only a couple, were egotistical, often hung-over, f-word screaming, defects. I wouldn't wish them on an enemy and would cringe when I saw nice young couples stepping on their boats, not knowing what they had coming. And no, I will not name any names here because I still go back there occasionally.
Even though the screamers are a rare breed, not every guide is receptive to beginners. Some guides simply don't want the hassle and that's fine. Plenty of captains are happy to welcome someone to the sport. To make the most of your time and money you need to book someone who's going to be a guide and a teacher.
The best place to start is right here. The internet is an amazing tool for planning everything on your vacation. A quick Google search of your location and the words "Fly Fishing Guides" will turn up numerous hits. To save time you'll need to fine tune your search. Add the names of the fish you're hoping to catch, such as tarpon, bonefish, snook, etc. Be sure to check out some online forums. You'll find a lot of firsthand reports from other anglers written here and you can simply ask for a recommendation.
Now you should start clicking on the guide's websites. They should tell you all of the basics. The rates, species available, type of gear and boat used, and the exact location the trip departs from are some of the first things you should learn. A page full of hero pictures is always nice and another page of testimonials from happy customers is a real bonus. Most importantly you should see the words "Beginners Welcome."
Since you are beginner a this sport you'll still have some more questions that the websites might not answer. Write these questions down then pick up the phone. Most folk would send an e-mail at this point but I don't recommend that for someone booking their first charter. Get the guide's cell number and call them instead. After 4 PM is the best time since they should be off the water but not yet sitting down for dinner. Having a direct conversation with a guide will reveal a lot about the person you're hoping to hire. If they're abrupt, impatient, or even slightly rude with your questions on the phone then they're probably going to be the exact same way with you on the water. Remember, you're a beginner at this and you shouldn't know everything. Don't be afraid to ask what seem like dumb questions. To help keep the guide's cell minutes to a minimum, here's some of the things you should go over on the phone:
- Let them know that you're a beginner and will need some coaching. Their first words should be "No problem."
- Ask what you'll be targeting on your trip and what you can do to prepare for it. Saltwater fly fishing requires longer casts so be honest about your abilities.
- Decide on the length of your charter. Most guides offer four, six, and eight hour trips. Your trip starts the minute you set foot on the boat so find out how much actual fishing time you're going to get.
- Ask what you'll be expected to bring. Polarized sunglasses are at the top of this list.
- Go over the deposit, payment, and cancellation policy. That last item is important. You'll need to know exactly what happens if you have to change your plans. It should be fair to both parties. Also ask about a the guide's weather cancellation policy. You should not have to go fishing in a thunderstorm.
- If you bought a new rod just for this trip, that's great. Let them know what it is. You should not hear "What a piece of junk." If what you have isn't appropriate for what your targeting they should explain why.
- If you'll be using the guide's tackle ask if the fly reels are left or right hand retrieve. For some anglers this is an issue.
- If you have a non-fishing partner that would like to come along ask if they'll be welcome. If the guide has room on the skiff the answer again should be "No problem."
The best guides will always make time to answer your questions. Some of my buddies used to gripe about returning calls at the end of the day from people who didn't e-mail them first. Yes, pushing a boat around in the sun all day is exhausting, but I'd always point out that you're exhausted from fishing. We weren't in an O.R. for the last eight hours separating conjoined twins. No matter how wiped out or stressed I am at the end of the day I can always cheer up and talk fishing for a few minutes with someone who wants to hire me.
If your questions are all answered and you feel comfortable with the person on the other end of the phone then book the trip. The guide should not pressure you to book immediately but keep in mind that open days go quickly in prime seasons. If you're hoping for a Key West tarpon next June make sure to get on someone's schedule by Christmas.
Follow up your conversation with an e-mail confirming your dates. It doesn't happen often but guides sometimes accidentally double book. Answering the phone at happy hour is usually the cause of that. I've double booked charters a couple times and it's embarrassing and sometimes difficult to fix. A follow up e-mail helps to avoid this.
Once you're set then grab a rod and start casting. If it's snowing then find an empty basketball court. You'll need the practice and your guide will appreciate the effort. And remember, no matter where you're headed, the wind is always blowing.
So now that you've booked your beginner-friendly guide, practiced your casting for a few weeks, and are finally touching down the day before your first saltwater fly fishing trip. Here's what should happen next.
Once you've unpacked, call to check in with your guide. Ask if all is on schedule and double check what you've been expected to bring. Remind him if you have a partner, fishing or non-fishing. Write down the directions to where you'll meet and the exact time you're expected there. Chances are it will be early in the morning which means one thing: get some sleep. If you've got a Key West tarpon trip at leaving at 6 AM, stay off Duval Street the night before. Fishing with a hangover in the hot sun is pure hell and you should avoid it like the plague. Trust me on this one.
Set your alarm clock early and be at the dock on time. Being late means you're loosing valuable time on the water and guides never like to be kept waiting. Have all your gear with you and completely organized. Let the guide stow everything for you don't step on the boat until you asked to do so. Your shoes should never have dark soles since these will mark the deck. Most guides are very meticulous about their boats so think about what you may have walked through in the parking lot. Offer to take off your shoes if necessary.
If you have a full day scheduled be sure to have your lunch packed the night before. You won't be expected to bring food for the guide. Years ago that was the tradition but this has fallen by the wayside. If you do happened to pack an extra sandwich it will be considered a nice gesture and will get eaten. Most guides have extra water but bring more than you think you'll need for yourself.
Alcohol should be kept to a minimum. Keep in mind that it will actually dehydrate you over the long run and dull your reflexes in the heat. No decent guide will tolerate a drunk angler. This is the ultimate liability and can cost a boat owner dearly. I allow my two anglers to spit a six pack. If you bring beer, don't offer any to your guide. The Coast Guard considers it highly illegal for a charter captain to drink on the job. Even worse, nothing tastes better than a cold Corona on a hot day. It's kind of cruel to drink a beer while your guide is working and sweating and can't have one. Save an extra for back at the dock.
If you brought your own tackle let the guide double check everything. I personally like people to bring their own rods, reels, and flies. I'm a gear junkie and love seeing the new stuff in action. I also like seeing hand tied flies, even if the anger has never been to the salt water before. You never know where the next killer pattern will come from these days. At the same time, be prepared to use whatever the guide tells you. Even if you've spent the last month at the vise perfecting your patterns, your guide has been on the water even longer and knows what the tarpon will be eating that day. Always go with local knowledge.
When you finally reach your fishing spot you'll be asked to make several practice casts. The main reason for this is to allow the guide to size up your abilities in the given conditions. Since you are a beginner, be prepared for a short period of instruction after this. I find this is necessary with nine out of ten first time anglers on my boat. I've had guys who were presidents of their Trout Unlimited chapters back home turn into absolute basket cases when faced with a twenty knot wind on a bonefish flat. Freshwater and saltwater can be wildly different, but a decent angler can almost always adjust. The most important thing to do is keep your ears open in order to hear and act on what your guide is saying.
Since you picked out a beginner-friendly and laid back guide, all of your mistakes should be corrected in a calm and constructive manner. The best guides never make a new angler feel bad about missing an easy shot. Your first time in the salt should be considered a learning experience above everything else. It should always be a good time and if your guide does start to slip and get a little too intense, let them know it. As a guide we sometimes forget who we're working for and can loose our focus. It's happened to me on both calm and windy days when the fish are everywhere but always three feet further than my anglers can cast. As a guide, your success is my success and sometimes it hurts to see an easy fish swim away. But that's never an excuse to start yelling at a newcomer. Loosing your temper while guiding actually accomplishes the opposite effect of what you're trying to do.
At the same time, we really want you to land that fish. Seeing someone with their first tarpon or bonefish is every bit as good as the money you're paying us. Keep in mind that saltwater fly fishing depends as much on the angler as the guide on most days. Once the fish is spotted and the boat positioned, all the pressure is on the angler's shoulders at that point.
With most fly trips you should not expect to keep anything you catch, unless you're fishing offshore. All the great flats species are strictly catch and release, so keep a camera handy to record your hero shots. If you have a sophisticated digital model go over it's operation with your guide in advance. Most of us are pretty good with cameras but we can't keep up with everything. The beauty of digital is the ability to take dozens of shots without wasting film If you have a multi-shot or burst setting on your camera then use it.
Your day should end at the agreed time and not before unless weather is a factor. If they have to head in early to dodge thunderstorms a decent guide will offer a partial refund. If you decide to quit early because you've had enough don't expect much or any of a refund. People rarely get sea sick on the flats and the offshore boats consider it a known hazard for the customer.
You'll settle up back at the dock in the manner and amount agreed to beforehand. This is when you should think about tipping. There have been several very good articles written about tipping guides but I have a few of my own thoughts. If you book an offshore boat you will and should tip the mate. He's the one working the hardest for the least money. The same goes for any guide working someone else's boat or working for a fly shop. Some of my colleagues will be upset by this but owner/operators should not always expect a tip. As sole owner of my boat and business I charge $450 for a full day on the water and that's what I think my time and effort is worth. If you want to toss me an extra $50 for a great catch or great experience I won't turn it down. You won't make me angry if you don't. If I absolutely had to have $500 or my day is ruined then that's what I'd charge. None of us are getting rich in this business and expenses are going through the roof. If a young, single guide is boasting 300 days a year on the water, he's not starving. Tip what you can afford. If you're a nice person we'll always welcome you back.
One thing that I feel is worth more than a tip these days is a nice follow-up online. I love getting e-mails from happy customers and really appreciate a good write-up on Trip Advisor or one of the dedicated fly fishing forums like Reel-Time.com. This sends instant business my way and is worth far more than an extra $50 and keeping your experience to yourself. Since you used the internet to find your guide, use it to sell him to others.
