| I've been fortunate to go on a few guided fishing | | | | have completed a Red Cross First Aid course. All |
| trips in my life. Some have been the best times I've | | | | guides should do this out of courtesy to their Clients. |
| spend on the water while others were just short of | | | | You can sometimes get good recommendations from |
| nightmares. I guess you could say that I've learned | | | | online Fishing forums. Especially those that are state |
| how to pick good fishing Guides and which ones to | | | | specific or species specific. Ask around about the |
| avoid. | | | | Guide you're wanting to hire. They may or may not |
| I'm going to give you a few tips on how to choose | | | | have a history locally. I once came very close to |
| your next fishing Guide. | | | | hiring a fishing guide on Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. |
| For starters, check the state regulations in the state | | | | Luckily I asked around on the forums and several |
| you'll be fishing. Some states require fishing guides to | | | | people told me that she had just moved to the area |
| be licensed, others do not. If the state requires that | | | | a few months before and hung her sign out. I politely |
| the guide be licensed make sure they are. Get a | | | | canceled my trip and booked with an experienced |
| copy of their license number and check with the | | | | fishing Guide. |
| state to see if there have been any complaints | | | | It only takes a little time to research the guide you |
| against the guide. I know this may sound obvious, | | | | want to hire. Just make sure you do your due |
| but make sure the number they give you actually | | | | diligence before hiring one! |
| matches the name the state has in its database. | | | | And while I'm at it, I might as well say that even the |
| You'd be surprised at how many so called licensed | | | | best fishermen have bad days. If you don't catch |
| fishing guides are not licensed at all. | | | | any fish, don't think that it was your guides fault. If |
| Also, some states require these people to have | | | | you've fished any at all, you can tell if a person |
| general liability insurance. If the state you'll be fishing | | | | knows what he or she is doing. Also, don't forget to |
| in requires this of the Guide, then check and make | | | | tip. Even if you didn't catch many fish, if you had a |
| sure they have it. | | | | good time, tip and tip good. |
| Another thing you'll want to check is to see if they | | | | |