JD,
After 30 years in the union as a Air Conditioning tech, the last 19 years with one company…I was laid off! I’ve got to tell ya, I am a little burnt out! I could care less if I don’t ever see another HVAC product in my life!
I bought a North River a couple of years ago and have been fishing a lot due to being out of work, mostly New Melones and Lake Pardee, in the Motherlode! Yesterday I entered a derby at lake Pardee put on by CIFF. That was a kick ass time. We were 5th place in the trout division.
I would much rather make a living doing something I want to do Instead of something I have to do, no what I mean? My wife tells me I am a lot more happy these days! Any advice?
Thanks, Jim
Hey Jim,
Sorry to hear about you getting laid off…man, tough times right now!
And for anyone else reading this who is in a similar position, I cannot stress enough that there are financial resources out there if being laid off has caused you any financial difficulties. You can learn more about these financial resources by checking out this useful guide that also outlines some of the differences between furlough vs layoff.
As far as making a living doing something you love, I assume you’re considering the guiding route.
Well, here’s my two cents worth on that subject:
Your wife is on to something — do what makes you happy…that’s pretty much what mine said when I dropped the little “honey, I think I’m going to become a guide” on her back in 1997. Well, what I can tell ya is it is the greatest job in the world…I mean, damn, you get to get out there and be on the water every day. How cool is that, right?
However, there are some wake-up calls that every new guide gets, too. In most cases (myself included), you find out really quickly that you don’t know nearly as much as you thought you did about catching fish when you have to do it every day, under pressure and under all conditions. Before I was a guide, we’d quit fishing when the wind kicked up or the river got muddy or whatever….but you can’t do that when you’ve got 4 paying clients in your boat.
Dealing with the public can be a bit of a test some days, too. If you get a personality or two on the boat that doesn’t mesh with yours (it’s guaranteed to happen), it can make for a loooong day.
The other thing to consider is that, despite what most people think, you don’t actually get to do any fishing when you’re guiding. It really does change your outlook on the sport. When I was busy running 2 salmon trips a day, seven days a week for 30-40 days straight, the last thing I wanted to do when I had a day off was get near a boat!
With the economy being super suckalitious right now and fishing in many areas kinda on the same track, starting a guide business at the moment is a tough road. However, if you dedicate yourself and have passion for it, you’ll be fine. And again, it’s still one of the coolest jobs you can have!
My best advice to new guides is this:
Remember it’s what you do between the bites that makes or breaks you.
I’ll leave you with that one to digest. Good luck with whatever path you decide to take and please let me know if I can help you out if try the guiding thing.
cat says
i would like to start a guide service for folks with limitations on shasta lake, can you tell me where to start with permits or what is needed to start such a service. thank you fishing is for everyone, i would like to have a service for folks that are not able to accsess regular fishing guide trips
JD says
Start with a boat, then get a guide license through the Department of Fish & Game, a $10,000 surety bond, insurance and you’re good to go. I don’t think you need a Coast Guard License for Shasta, but I’d check to be sure. Good luck!