I learned fly fishing years ago for trout. As I've gotten older I've been lucky enough to fish with guides and learn areas on different rivers to fish for trout/salmon/steelhead. Guides have always been more than happy to give me tips and places to fish on my own when we've been finished. Hasn't seemed very cutthroat at all, just friendly and chill. Have even gotten beers with some and just hung out.
I'm moving to the coast in a few months full time but travel there on the weekends every now and then. I really want to get more into saltwater fly fishing and really figure it out. Over the past two years when I've come to the coast on the weekends I'd bring my skiff and get out on the water when I could, trying to learn the tides and areas. It's tough lol. Over those two years I've only caught one red fish on the fly đ
I finally bit the bullet and hired a guide about a month ago. I was super up front with him and not trying to be shady about anything. I told him I had a skiff and was moving to the area, was having trouble catching fish on my own and wanted to learn. Had a great day, caught a bunch of fish, and learned a ton. We'd talked about using what I've learned to apply to to different areas to help my scouting and exploration of the waters here easier.
About a month later I texted him mostly out of courtesy asking if he cared if I went to any of the spots we fished so I could try fishing them on my own. Basically wanting to make sure he didn't have any client trips planned where he was going to take anybody. If that was the case I wasn't going to go there and I'd continue looking in new areas. He told me no, not to go there. Which is fine; I asked and I'm good with it. But it also just surprised me and that wasn't the answer I had expected.
Here's our text exchange: https://imgur.com/a/6hjaMkq
Was just wondering if this was pretty common in the salwater fly fishing space and it it's a bit more territorial.
And to be clear, in not annoyed or anything, more just wanting to know what's normal.
Thanks!
Posted by Im_The_One
7 Comments
Heard this is really common in the salt, but not for trout.
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I mean. Thatâs his lively hood and it would be blown out if every person he takes out there blows up his spots.
On the other hand if itâs public water itâs fair game.
Respect the fact that you donât want to blow up the spot but do whatever you want really.
With apps like salt strong I feel most hot spots are common knowledge now. But yes your guide responded to how people in my neck of the creek would respond as well.
Not uncommon at all. Honestly I’m surprised he was as nice about it.
Remember it’s fishing for us, it’s how they put bread on the table for them.
I know quite a few salt guys that flat out say, once you see how we do it you will not need to hire me. hence the hefty price.
Source: am a guide. Yeaaaahhh this is a touchy topic. Iâve had clients hawk my tarpon spots after they bought a house down where I live (SWFL), go to tailing red flats the day after we fished it, blown up a snook spot where we saw floating 35âersâŠ
Iâd personally (were I to be you) keep my mouth shut and eyes/ears open. Sure, if nobody is at said spot go give it hell, you might have a killer day! But exploring is the most fun thing ever. Especially when it works out.
It was good of you to ask him/her however. Just be sure to give people room if theyâre already there.
Feel free to dm me for any goofy questions you might have. Iâm an open book. Be safe out there and have fun đ
Even for freshwater, I donât think most guides like it when you go back to the same spot they took you to. They recognize that people will inevitably do this but it doesnât make them happy. Obviously depends on the context, if itâs a super obvious / popular spot then of course itâs not an issue, but if itâs out of the way, small stream, etc., now youâre starting to impact their livelihood. Iâm not saying to never ever go back to a spot a guide showed you, itâs (usually) public land and all. However, show some respect to your guide. Do a little exploration instead of immediately going right back to their spot. Try and fail like they did, find your own honey holes.