If you are new or new-ish to fly flishing, consider hiring a guide, but try to keep a few things in mind:

(I read an article a year or two ago with most of these tips.  Lees Ferry Anglers made it terrifically easy so I didn't really need them.)

• If you are a newbie, tell them before selecting a guide.  Some guides are better than others at teaching (read: being patient).
• Ask ahead of time if your guide will be fishing (other than to demonstrate a technique).  Typically guides do not fish.
• Get the start/end time  - also the expected water-time.  It's important that you know what you are buying.
  
• Flies; who brings them, cost, etc.  Some guides only use their flies - you loose it, you bought it. (note: this is not a bad thing.  they know what works, just be sure to get the info).
• Lunch - do they provide it?  (I got a nice fried chicken lunch... although I was too amped to eat much).
• Ask for an equipment list - what stuff you should bring.  Make sure you dress for success.  Usually layers that can be shed one at a time as it warms up.
• Be up-front about what you want.  Your guide needs to know how to structure the time.  What I said was, "I just want to catch fish."
• If you want to choose all your flies, where to fish, and how to present... maybe hiring a guide isn't for you.  Be open to suggestions.
• Lastly, tip your guide.

I highly recommend Natalie and the Lees Ferry Anglers, guide service & fly shop.  I talked to several staff members and all of them were terrific!  They know their stuff and they treat their customers very, very well.  I wish a few fly shops I have visited in the past would take notes.

I had an amazing time and will hopefully be able to book Nat again in the future. She is a terrific guide, a skilled angler, and a pleasure to be out on the water with.  I wanted a guide that would not only take me to the fish, but one that would take the time to refine my technique and show me new methods for fly-fishing that I could take with me.  The expense of booking a guide was well worth it to me.  It also gave me an idea of what to look for in a guide in the future.

Thanks again, Nat! Tight lines!

Lees Ferry Anglers - Guides and Fly Shop

(928) 355-2261

(800) 962-9755

email: anglers[at]leesferry.com

web site: see Web Links section at top of page