Q&A | #4 - How do I become a fly fishing guide?

You've got fly fishing questions and we've got answers. Thanks for all the questions you've submitted, we're proud to be your source for fly fishing entertainment and equipping.
As a way of giving back, if you submit a question to us and we answer it on TH-cam we'll be sending you a free hat and fly box in the mail.
Send your questions to [e-mail]
A River Runs Through It:
www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
Our Fly Fishing Guide Services:
www.madriveroutfitters.com/s-...
Follow Pat and Ryan:
@patkellyfishing
@o_h__fly_o
~
Subscribe for more fly fishing content: bit.ly/302hEHC
Support the channel, pick something up from our shop: www.madriveroutfitters.com
www.madriveroutfitters.com
/ madriveroutfitters
/ madriveroutfitters
/ madriverout
Have a question about this video or anything fly fishing? We're happy to help!
Send Mad River Outfitters an email or give us a call:
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Welcome to Mad River Outfitters, hosted by professional fly fishing guide, Brian Flechsig and his team of fly fishing guides at Mad River Outfitters. On this channel you will find honest fly fishing education, fly fishing tutorials and product reviews. We're passionate about fly fishing and that's what we hope to share here. More information about who we are can be found on our website (www.madriveroutfitters.com) and also on our Instagram (@madriveroutfitters).

[@Valscorn01]

Omg lol, I lost it at owning a river runs through it, and owning a bunch of Simms hoodies 😂😂😂

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@jeffknowles3952]

I've asked this question to the multiple guides I've taken. They all said a couple if the same things. 1.) Pick a area local area to fish 180 days a year, for at least 2 years. 2.) Keep a log and log everything no matter how unimportant. 3.) Fish in every kind of condition. 4.) Have good personal skills and be a good teacher.
If your fishing that much you should likely run into the people you need to know.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Good stuff!

[@donmthg]

I need more stickers... and Simms Hoodies... I have been guiding for 15 years in Montana now. For me guiding has been a second career based on my first passion: Fly fishing. Most of the guides I know agree that guiding is first and foremost being good with people. All kinds of people from all walks of life and all levels of experience. Many careers deal with people, however, as a guide you will spend 8 to 10 hours a day in close quarters with your clients. So yeah, have great people skills, immense patience and even more, be a good teacher.
To be a good guide and to stay at it you need to reach a point that you really and truly enjoy helping others catch fish as much as (even more than) you do yourself. Keep this in mind: As a guide you will be working during the prime times and conditions. The hatch you focused on for years and arranged your schedule to be on the water for, well, you will be, but you won't be fishing. If you can not accept that, well..
Know your water. Know your fish. Know the bugs. Know how to tie. Know how to cast. Know how to help others improve their cast. Know how to untangle a real multi fly mess (for the tenth time) with a smile. Know how to play and land big fish. Know how to net big fish. As you stand there with fly line, leader and a couple flies wrapped around you with fish feeding never forget that you too were there as a beginner. Oh yeah, never, ever forget that you still have a lot to learn.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

donmthg Great words and right on point. Do you own A River Runs Through It on Blu Ray?

[@donmthg]

@@Madriveroutfitters I am old school. I have it on VHS and DVD. Does that count? Cool thing about that movie. A hang gliding buddy's son played young Norman in the movie. I often fish the stretch where the "Sun burn" scene was filmed. Let me know if you will be in the Yellowstone area next summer. I live in Paradise Valley.

[@richardmulligan2540]

Love this 👍👍👍........you guys are hilarious......" Hang around the fly shop ....for like 20 years " 😆😆😆

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Richard Mulligan Pretty much true in Ryan’s case.

[@11jt2007]

To be a guide, you gotta be smooth.....like butter

[@Madriveroutfitters]

11jt2007 True!! We forgot that part.

[@everydaylines3352]

The Wii music over Pat thinking was amazing 😂

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@austintrenkamp8205]

That was hilarious, obviously your guides are awesome 🤘, who wouldn't love a day out with them. I'm still laughing

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@Freddo4J]

Ha - hysterical - LOVE THIS!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@catonhlee]

Thanks again!!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@BeetleBuns]

I started humming the wii music as Pat paused, and then it came on and I absolutely lost it

[@Madriveroutfitters]

BeetleBuns Hope you found it? Thanks for watching!!!!

[@greencutsguelphlandscaping7980]

Great video, thanks.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@rhumandlove393]

Thank you.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@matthewackerson7861]

I can’t agree more, I spend $3500 a year with one guide after spending a lot of money with other guides. I now have a guide I use exclusively because of his willingness to teach and mentor. It’s about leaning not about the catching.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and for backing us up.

[@jeremydixon2812]

Great video! 😂

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and stay tuned.

[@JonrockR3]

As always fantastic video and great advice! That is truly the best answer for the how to become a guide question! Never new how to answer that in my formative years!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks as always for watching Jon!

[@scottm.2490]

LOL own a river runs through it!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@Daveluvsoutside]

I really love your videos and you have taught me a lot. Thank you so much! I am very interested in getting into fly fishing. My question is this: do I have to have great bid wide open rivers for fly fishing? I live in Ontario Canada and where I live we have lakes, a couples bays and small rivers. Can I fly fish here or are these to small? Thanks so much

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. You can fly fish anywhere there is water....and hopefully fish.
Watch this video:
th-cam.com/video/AQF-mNgIUao/w-d-xo.html

[@scottcampbell7033]

I think certain states require a license for guiding as well. Maine is one I believe

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@rangeroutdoors3]

do you get to fish while guiding?
also where do you get the cool glasses?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Yuka Our guides do not fish while guiding. No respectable guide does. He shops at Mad River Outfitters for glasses....of course.

[@alexmmh4051]

A class 456 rod is good for pike and perch? I use it only for chub and trout but i want to try for bigger fish... Idk if my rod can do it..

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here. Please direct all questions etc. right to the shop and they will help you there.

[@patrickmcphee770]

You need to be able to run your drift boat over rising trout that wading anglers are trying to catch! That’s it, your now a guide.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

True also. Surprised he left that out.

[@Wogger46]

One thing to learn when becoming a fly fishing guide is don’t be one of douche bag guides that brings their dog on trips.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.