Guide School
- This topic has 18 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated Dec 14, 2008 at 7:00 pm by
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I know there are a few guides that visit here, so I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
I am looking at doing the necessary courses that would qualify me as an accredited guide.
What are the relevant institutes offering these courses? How long do these courses run for, and are they only really relevant in the US and other countries like New Zealand?I know of REFFIS and FFF.
I believe there is a recent pod cast where a gentleman speaks about his guide schools, but I am pretty sure they are in the Western US.
There is a guy that guides in New Zealand named Louie the Fish you might want to contact, he spilts time between Hawaii and NZ, but I know he has a house there.
Daryl….you might be interested in this thread:
http://www.itinerantangler.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?num=1220984476/8#8
Daryl I have toyed with the idea of running such a school in NZ. I guided for 27 years here for most the highest profile establishments and my client lists includes Joan Wulff, Randall Kaufmann, Billy Connolly, Dennis Black, Al Caucci, and a few thousand others.
Most NZ guides learn through trial and error as there is no formal accrediation here. just print a card, market your butt off and go for it…
but I think the time has come for some formal training as the last few years has seen a marked downturn in the quality of guiding in NZ mainly due to the lack of regulation of the industry.
There’s a couple of folks on this board I’ve guided… perhaps they may give you an idea of the standard of service i used to pride myself on providing.
My contact details are on my websites if you want to give me a call to discuss it.
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
Daryl I have toyed with the idea of running such a school in NZ. I guided for 27 years here for most the highest profile establishments and my client lists includes Joan Wulff, Randall Kaufmann, Billy Connolly, Dennis Black, Al Caucci, and a few thousand others.
Most NZ guides learn through trial and error as there is no formal accrediation here. just print a card, market your butt off and go for it…
but I think the time has come for some formal training as the last few years has seen a marked downturn in the quality of guiding in NZ mainly due to the lack of regulation of the industry.
There’s a couple of folks on this board I’ve guided… perhaps they may give you an idea of the standard of service i used to pride myself on providing.
My contact details are on my websites if you want to give me a call to discuss it.
Clark, I’ll give you a ring later on.
What was it like guiding Billy Connolly – did you actually get any fishing done – he’s a funny guy.Billy is a lot of fun, it was a priviledge to spend a considerable amount of time with him on two different trips. I also enjoyed guiding his son Jamie on their first visit… In fact I’d go as far to say that Jamie is probably the most talented angler I have guided who wasn’t part of the professional scene in some capacity. A nice guy with an abundant measure of his father’s sense of humor as well.
The other question regarding accreditiation of Freshwater guides. In NZ there is no such thing so many operate without adequete first aid knowledge, white water rescue ability, or any of the other myriad of skills which must be applied by a true professional over and above fishing know how… many here do not even,. in my opinion, possess enough of that either.
The NZPFGA (Guides association) used to set such a standard but now allows membership to just about anyone paying a sub with no real criterai to be met other than first aid. They are a fine organisation for promotion and lobbying on behalf of guides but seriously do not offer the “punter” any real protection or endorsment of service at all.
It is because of this the thought had crossed my mind about a guides school for NZ.
I would like to think that in my years guiding in NZ I have built up a modicum of respect from my peers and the industry in general and know how to provide a first rate service. Like any professional the “eatra mile” thing is in the details and people skills and the most obvious things are often overlooked by new peole to the profession.
Daryl, give me a call when you can. I have had a few others enquire and I will contact them to solicit interest in a small group getting the ball rolling. (MAx 4)
Over the years I helped training many young guides (Some of who are now not so young and have many years experience as guides in their own right.) So i would like to think I could offer some help and experience to those getting started and doing the job properly… heaven knows there are enough that, in my opinion, aren’t. ;D
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
I guided for 27 years here for most the highest profile establishments and my client lists includes Joan Wulff, Randall Kaufmann, Billy Connolly, Dennis Black, Al Caucci, and a few thousand others.
Not to mention, the one and only, Tim Pommer!
Goes without saying…. you’re in a league of your own mate!!!
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
We did do a lot of fihsing, but a lot of the time Billy just likes to be left to fish and enjoy being alone… He’s inundated with people most of the time so it’s the wrong approach, as a guide, to be barking instructions all the time… a lot of the time I had to just sit and watch and let him have his own time.
Having said that… we did a lot of this….
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
Great thanks Clark, I’ll give you a ring perhaps this evening – got stuck at work yesterday, sorry.
In terms of becoming a guide, I’m looking to gain knowledge/accreditation that I could use world wide, no matter the “jeandra” of the fishing/guiding/experience.
I agree that there are alot of guides nowdays that dont have sufficient knowledge or qualification (as in first aid, etc). Too many have just taken their experience, which is generally just on their local waters and sell that under the auspices of “pro guide”.
Initially, the intention is merely for my own gain, especially now that world wide economics is in disarray. At some stage I will hopefully be able to make the transition from “IT pleb” to “guide”.
I don’t think there is a school that is going to qualify anybody to be a guide worldwide. Good luck though.
I don’t think there is a school that is going to qualify anybody to be a guide worldwide. Good luck though.
You’re right, to the best of my knowledge there is none.
Further, daryl it’s not about peopole just knowing their local waters… there’s plenty of “guides” in NZ that don’t even know their local waters.
Trust me… there’s a better living in IT.
This’ll sound harsh, but chances are if you really wanted to be a guide and make a real living out of it… you’d be one already… it’s not something many do out of reasoned choice… it’s something some of us had to do in order to conitnue to take in air and function and be in the places we couldn’t live without at the sacrifice of a normal life and income.
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
Great thanks Clark, I’ll give you a ring perhaps this evening – got stuck at work yesterday, sorry.
In terms of becoming a guide, I’m looking to gain knowledge/accreditation that I could use world wide, no matter the “jeandra” of the fishing/guiding/experience.
I agree that there are alot of guides nowdays that dont have sufficient knowledge or qualification (as in first aid, etc). Too many have just taken their experience, which is generally just on their local waters and sell that under the auspices of “pro guide”.
Initially, the intention is merely for my own gain, especially now that world wide economics is in disarray. At some stage I will hopefully be able to make the transition from “IT pleb” to “guide”.
Ring tomorrow… I’m going fihsing tonight and will be late in.
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
I think guiding is more of a passion and a way of life, and the making a living part is the smallest part. I would not recommend quitting a good job to anybody who thinks guiding is a dream job. I would recommend taking a family member or a friend who does not flyfish,
Clark – I’ll vouch for Daryl, he can fish, has the people skills and can tie the ocasional fly… LOL.
Daryl, this is a great idea, you’re close enough, let Clark fine tune it…
Good post, Thanks Mike… because I hadn’t realised what I had said might be misconstrued as doubting daryl;’s abilities… never meant to do that for a second….
If you can catch them in the Wainui, you’ll catch them anywhere. ;D
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
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