Why Hire a Fishing Guide? Lessons From a Professional Guide in Norway
We missed out on trophy fish by not walking ten minutes in the right direction. Here’s why I never fish without a guide anymore.
As a professional fishing guide myself in Southern Norway, it’s natural that I would want to defend my relevance and worth, but before we delve into why you should use your hard earned money on a fishing guide, I would like to share a personal story of discovery.
The Finnmarksvidda Lesson
Some years ago, some good friends and I made the great trip to Norway’s most Northerly national park, Finnmarksvidda. Filled with dreams and hearing stories of big brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), our expectations were high, but reality would lead us in a different direction.
We Were 10 Minutes Away From Big Fish
My dear friend, who was with us on that trip, had the pleasure a year later to revisit the same area on a hunting trip with guides who happened to be fishing guides too. My dear friend being the social soul he is, told of our adventures the year before and the lack of big fish. The Northern Norwegians are lovely people, honest and direct, and the guide’s response was: “If only you guys had walked 10 minutes in the other direction then you would have come to the lake with lots of big fish.”
Benefits of Hiring a Fishing Guide
- A guide will take you off the beaten track to places you’d never know about.
- A guide will point out things, often small things, you’d never notice.
- The learning curve with a guide is far greater. You learn more and faster in a shorter time.
- A guide is hassle free by saving you time searching to book licences, finding the right accommodation, best places to eat, etc.
- A guide is a newfound friend in a foreign place. Knowledgeable and social, and often a start of long-lasting friendship.
- A certified guide will make your trip a safe one by knowing about the local dangers and being prepared if something was to go wrong.
- A guide will save you the money of owning a boat yourself!
Choosing the Right Guide
You want to look for:
- Experience and qualifications
- First Aid certification
- Teaching credentials
- Proper accident insurance
- Glowing reputation and reviews
Final Thoughts
So, it’s not hard to understand that a trip with a professional and qualified guide will leave you with everlasting memories. New skills, experiences and talents to impress your fellow fishers at home with. So next time you plan a fishing trip somewhere, make it unforgettable. Hire a guide!
P.S. If you’re planning a trip to Norway, get in touch and let’s tailor a guiding experience for you.
Tightlines, Ryan.