i am very interested in becoming a fishing guide in ontario.....does anyone have any info ob any schools or training that is available?
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i am very interested in becoming a fishing guide in ontario.....does anyone have any info ob any schools or training that is available?
I have never heard of a "school for guiding" then again I have never looked. I always assumed the guys and girls that do guide, do it because they are good at what they do (hunting, fishing, etc). Through years of experience, and first hand, "on the job" experience and knowledge.
The only "school" I could see, would be working under a current guide and helping on the boat, and learning the ropes.
Not sure that's something you can learn in a classroom?
Seneca college king campus has a course on fishing.. Its a seasonal course.. "Basics of fishing" or something like that...
Edit: Upon googling, it appears its a bass fishing course.. Also hear there is an ice fishing one as well.
maybe apply for a job at a big fishing lodge
http://guideschool.blogspot.ca/
the number is no longer available
Best thing to do is to look into some of the bigger lodges that are out there, some will have a sort of informal training where they teach you a bit you work the docks and fish on your time off to build knowledge.
When it comes to guiding or success in fishing at all really, adaptability and versatility are key. Time on the water is everything to find multiple patterns to be consistent. Its kind of a hard thing to learn through schooling lol.
Another large consideration before looking into guiding is how well you deal with people. You are going to have clients coming from all walks of life, you will need to be able to get a quick read on them and what they are looking for and cater to their needs.
Also you wont be fishing very much!
I personally love guiding it can be a very satisfying job, nothing more fulfilling than getting others hooked on the same passion we share.
Start applying to lodges/camps in the north. Work as a dock hand/general labour if you have to for a year first.
I worked as a guide for a summer, had no training whatsoever, and didnt have to do the dock hand thing beforehand. I knew how to fish, how to cook a shore lunch, and how to drive a boat. Phone interview with the owner and I was on a float plane and in camp a month later. The kid who was doing dock hand had a hell of a summer as well. He and the boss would hop in the float plane ebvery couple days and go fish a new lake to test it out, which probably hadnt had a soul on it in years. he'd spend the rest of his time cutting grass, cleaning boats, etc, but got his fair share of fishing in too.
I guess it depends where you guide. I fished almost all the time with my guys when we were chasing walleye. Pike fishing not so much, but occasionally. But certainly every day for a few hours while walleye fishing. If I knew the fish was big, I'd hand my rod off to someone if they wanted it (kids for example). When i caught my personal best pike, I asked if they wanted it, and they me to go ahead and reel it in. They were just as happy.Quote:
Originally Posted by fiftyquest
good info,thanx a lot! anyone know where there is guide job listings?Quote:
Originally Posted by blasted_saber
Shhhh... Don't say that... Once the universities catch on they will start charging $5400 a year for a 4 year honors program, then the government will bow down and make it mandatory for all thinking of becoming guides to have a bachelor of guiding, register and pay monthly dues, and continue recertification courses yearly.Quote:
Originally Posted by 123chadder
Lol that's not so far from the truth right? :-)