WA yak fishing guide license

Cool deal Jason.  If they are willing to bend, can you see if they'll extend it to salmon in the salt?  I the door is cracked open, might as well try to walk right in!!!

-Allen

Of course!

I'm not ruling it out for myself, I've had issues with chinook in OR that I need to work out before I'd feel good about guiding for them anywhere. Mostly just issues with the catching part, and I haven't ever shamed Washington with attempting to catch one there.

If you or anyone else here runs with this, we should definitely discuss networking.

I was just talking with the GF about how I can't imagine starting yakfish guiding from scratch. If it wasn't for the fact that I have everything needed ready to go with no investment, and that none of it is dependent on the success of yakfish guiding, there is no way I'd be able to drop the coin for gear, insurance, etc. on a roll of the dice. My particular situation is like the perfect storm of what's needed to pull it off.

I'm sure it will be slow to build, but it will be fun trying!

Yup.  You're going through the same thinking that I went through when I looked into it.

BTW, would you need a license per guide?  Or a license per outfit?

To me, the salmon part is an add on.  If you're already out fishing, your clientele will want to give salmon a shot.

-Allen

I'm not sure about the license/outfitter vs guide. Good question though & I'll ask them.

If it was like the guide/outfitter license then anyone with the cpr/1st aid/boating cred could be considered an "adjunct instructor" for alder creek and be set to guide if hired.

I guess that's how I understand things so far, but now that you mention it, it hasn't been brought up.

I agree with the added bonus for salmon. I have no problem trying, but don't want to put the emphasis on it.

Cool deal Jason.  If they are willing to bend, can you see if they'll extend it to salmon in the salt?  I the door is cracked open, might as well try to walk right in!!!

-Allen

Of course!

I'm not ruling it out for myself, I've had issues with chinook in OR that I need to work out before I'd feel good about guiding for them anywhere. Mostly just issues with the catching part, and I haven't ever shamed Washington with attempting to catch one there.

If you or anyone else here runs with this, we should definitely discuss networking.

I was just talking with the GF about how I can't imagine starting yakfish guiding from scratch. If it wasn't for the fact that I have everything needed ready to go with no investment, and that none of it is dependent on the success of yakfish guiding, there is no way I'd be able to drop the coin for gear, insurance, etc. on a roll of the dice. My particular situation is like the perfect storm of what's needed to pull it off.

I'm sure it will be slow to build, but it will be fun trying!

Guides (several of my close friends,PB'rs)  that make it in the game do one thing, consistently put people on fish while making it fun and comfortable (attitude and amenities) for their "sports". 

Becoming a "dialed in" fishermen for the particular fishery, who is able to repeatably produce success under varied water/weather/etc. conditions should be the first step anyone takes who considers becoming a guide. Otherwise folks are just paying you for a boat ride

Except in kayak fishing, there is a certain "HOW TO" aspect of guiding.  The majority of clients of the kayak fishing guides I know are first timers.  They want to have someone around to show them the ropes on their first kayak fishing trip(s).

-Allen

Except in kayak fishing, there is a certain "HOW TO" aspect of guiding.  The majority of clients of the kayak fishing guides I know are first timers.  They want to have someone around to show them the ropes on their first kayak fishing trip(s).

-Allen

Exactly, A guy better have a firm gasp of a fishery if they hope to school a newbie up in a 1/2 day trip.

For the most part I would say that is true of a fair amount of any "guided" fishing situation. Now days  its how a lot of folks short cut the learning curve for many NW salmon and steelhead fisheries. "Not sure how/where to troll for spingers in the Willy?  book a trip with a quality local guide, learn the ropes and show up the next day in your boat to press repeat".  I know of guides that will only take "out of staters" to certain special holes/dirfts etc so they don't have to worry about boomerang fishermen (guys that show up the next day with their new sled and buddies from work)

Except in kayak fishing, there is a certain "HOW TO" aspect of guiding.  The majority of clients of the kayak fishing guides I know are first timers.  They want to have someone around to show them the ropes on their first kayak fishing trip(s).

-Allen

Exactly, A guy better have a firm gasp of a fishery if they hope to school a newbie up in a 1/2 day trip.

For the most part I would say that is true of a fair amount of any "guided" fishing situation. Now days  its how a lot of folks short cut the learning curve for many NW salmon and steelhead fisheries. "Not sure how/where to troll for spingers in the Willy?  book a trip with a quality local guide, learn the ropes and show up the next day in your boat to press repeat".  I know of guides that will only take "out of staters" to certain special holes/dirfts etc so they don't have to worry about boomerang fishermen (guys that show up the next day with their new sled and buddies from work)

Not exactly what I'm saying.  It is less about the fishing and more about "fishing from a kayak".  Lots of discussion about safety, appropriate attire, rigging, etc. ... while fishing.  Yes, it's also nice to put them on a few fish while you're at it.

-Allen

Very true.. I see the side you are looking at.   Like the old adage of the blindfolded men describing the same elephant by feeling it. 

Three wise men were blindfolded and led one at a time into a room where an elephant stood. Each was asked to discern what was in the room without removing his blindfold. The first, upon touching the elephant's trunk, concluded a "snake" was in the room. The second, upon contacting a leg, concluded a "tree" was in the room. The third, upon grasping the tail, concluded a "rope" was in the room. All were surprised to discover the same elephant once their blindfolds were removed

Cool deal Jason.  If they are willing to bend, can you see if they'll extend it to salmon in the salt?  I the door is cracked open, might as well try to walk right in!!!

-Allen

Of course!

I'm not ruling it out for myself, I've had issues with chinook in OR that I need to work out before I'd feel good about guiding for them anywhere. Mostly just issues with the catching part, and I haven't ever shamed Washington with attempting to catch one there.

If you or anyone else here runs with this, we should definitely discuss networking.

I was just talking with the GF about how I can't imagine starting yakfish guiding from scratch. If it wasn't for the fact that I have everything needed ready to go with no investment, and that none of it is dependent on the success of yakfish guiding, there is no way I'd be able to drop the coin for gear, insurance, etc. on a roll of the dice. My particular situation is like the perfect storm of what's needed to pull it off.

I'm sure it will be slow to build, but it will be fun trying!

Guides (several of my close friends,PB'rs)  that make it in the game do one thing, consistently put people on fish while making it fun and comfortable (attitude and amenities) for their "sports". 

Becoming a "dialed in" fishermen for the particular fishery, who is able to repeatably produce success under varied water/weather/etc. conditions should be the first step anyone takes who considers becoming a guide. Otherwise folks are just paying you for a boat ride

And they already do that:) Dude I hear ya. I was depressed for two weeks one time when I paid a guide $250 for a drift boat trip and I got skunked. Was more my fault than the guides though.

That's the main reason I'm not advertising salmon at this point. Bottom fish are pretty dang easy to get, but chinook is to hit or miss for me, and a hell of allot more work than jigging for rockfish etc.

These trips will have to start out as trips designed for someone with little to no experience, and bottom fish is just easier all around. I'm not ruling it out, but I'm starting simple and will develop more detailed/challenging trips that require more experience according to the response we get from the GP.

Except in kayak fishing, there is a certain "HOW TO" aspect of guiding.  The majority of clients of the kayak fishing guides I know are first timers.  They want to have someone around to show them the ropes on their first kayak fishing trip(s).

-Allen

I haven't decided if I should require people who sign up for kayak fishing to take our "basic skills kayak class" first. Technically that's what we require for the SJ 5 day, but often we let it slide. I'd have to get allot of coaching in before I put a first timer in a kayak to launch through surf from the beach. IT's doable without, but then we spend the whole day learning about kayaking (me collecting yardsale debris out of the surf zone) rather than fishing, it kind of defeats the purpose of guided kayak fishing.

Ironically, people aren't super thankful when you pull them out of the drink. Usually the people who don't dump it tip well, and the people who do dump aren't having much fun, so generally they don't tip, even though I just saved their arse.

I could see allot of newbs getting turned off instantly by getting a beat down right off the bat.

Giving more thought to this ...

Most of the guided fishing we have in NorCal is along the lines of "Kayak Fishing 101".  It's less about guiding as it is about teaching.

But what you're proposing with the San Juans is more about adventure kayak fishing ... the total experience.  Kind of like we do in Alaska, but with less and smaller fish.   

For PC stuff, I'd think it would be more of a "kayak fishing surf zone" clinic.

-Allen

that's exactly the idea for the SJ's, and why I think it has a chance of being popular...lots of people want to do a yakfishcamp thing, but lack the experience or resources to do it on their own....especially getting to AK. If I could make this happen in AK tomorrow you know I would!

SJ's are just so convenient for seattle etc. it's not nearly as bad ass as AK, but it's allot easier for newbs to make it happen. My last SJ trip in Sept. all this kind of dawned on me. it's just too damn easy.

All we require for the regular SJ 5 day yakcamping is a basic skills kayak class and/or equivalent experience....which is pretty much nothing. We usually break this rule to fill the trips, and just teach as we go.

PC could go either way. might be worth doing two levels...an "intro" and a "let's get our lines in the water."

My dream in life is to spend the summers in AK and the winters in Baja yakfishcamping. This is the first step.

PC could go either way. might be worth doing two levels...an "intro" and a "let's get our lines in the water."

I do think there is a ton of value in the "kayak fishing surf zone" class and it's one place you'll likely see more than just a newbie.  I'd love to see one up in WA at Neah Bay out of Hobucks.  A lot of regular kayak surf zone classes are done out there.  And there is some great fishing there too.

My dream in life is to spend the summers in AK and the winters in Baja yakfishcamping. This is the first step.

Chris at http://liquid-adventures.com/ is living your dream.   

-Allen

yes, I'm definitely not the first to think of the AK/baja thing. I'm poaching that idea from a long line of slackers....I mean kayakers.

I'd love to do surf classes up there. I'm thinking of doing that surf comp next year there. I love that spot.

It's not super easy logisticly from PDX though. It would take 2 or 3 days of my time to pull of a one day class up there.

If I somehow made that multi-day, then it would be reasonable. I guess if I had enough people, it could make it worth it to do one day of class & one or two days logistics, but the more people I need to make the class happen, the less likely it happens.

I definitely have some thinking to do. My guess is we'll start small & simple and hopefully it will evolve into more and bigger events.

I agree the surf zone class is worth while. I think there are lots of other classes worth while for fishing the salt also, but for some reason, I don't see that great of a response from the yakfish communtiy.

I think fisherman are especially hard headed (me included) and a little to proud to take lessons or admit they may not know everything! I think they feel it threatens their alpha status

Oh ... I was thinking long weekend for the Hobuck class.  Day 1 ... surfzone skills.  Day 2 ... fishing.

I think kayak fishermen are CHEAP.  But they're coming around, just look at all the interest in drysuits this year.

-Allen

Allen,
We're still cheap, just dreaming!