Fishing guide

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A fishing guide is a guide who specializes in guiding recreational anglers.

Contents

Overview

Some anglers may choose to hire fishing guides who are knowledgeable about the local fishing grounds and feeding patterns. [1]

History

USA

Atlantic tarpon fishing with a fishing guide from a canoe in Florida in 1885 Outing (1885) (14589920219).jpg
Atlantic tarpon fishing with a fishing guide from a canoe in Florida in 1885

Guided fishing is very common in the American state of Florida with guided fishing trips out of Islamorada starting in the 1930s. [2] Guided fishing for Atlantic tarpon further up the Florida coast started even earlier at the end of the 1800s, early guides generally catered to wealthy anglers from big northern American cities but also Europeans who often engaged them for extended periods of time of weeks or months. These tourists and guides were often associated with private clubs, hotels, or lodges. [3]

Gillie

The Kinermoney Ghillie dealing with a kelt The Kinermoney Ghillie dealing with a kelt - geograph.org.uk - 1220920.jpg
The Kinermoney Ghillie dealing with a kelt

Gillie or ghillie is an ancient Gaelic term for a person who acts as a servant or attendant on a fishing, hunting, deer stalking or hawking expedition, primarily in the Scottish Highlands or on a river such as the River Spey. In origin it referred especially to someone who attended on behalf of his male employer or guests.

This position still exists in some Highland locations as of 2021, such as the Isle of Skye, according to the BBC. They are no longer manservants or attendants and do not carry chiefs across rivers as in the distant past; today, they "manage the wilderness and guide travellers through it". [4]

Employment

The increase in popularity of flats fishing as a destination activity has created additional job opportunities for fishing guides in some destinations. [5]

Licensing

In the American state of Florida there is no licensing scheme for fishing guides beyond federal requirements for those who operate some motor vessels to have a United States Coast Guard Charter Boat Captain's license. [6] Fishing guides in the state of Alaska were required to be licensed at the state level after 2004 but were not before then. [7]

See also

References

  1. Dorsey, Chris. "Remembering The Ultimate Bonefish Destination". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  2. "Discover Islamorada's Angling History". visitfloridakeys.com. Visit Florida Keys. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  3. "Tarpon". museumoffloridahistory.com. Museum of Florida History. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  4. Ghillies, Scotland's Little Known Highlanders.
  5. Santella, Chris (2012-06-19). "Finding Work From Fly-Fishing's Popularity (Published 2012)". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  6. "How to Pick a Fishing Guide". visitflorida.com. Visit Florida. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  7. Hepler, Kelly. "Licensing Guides Benefits Anglers and Alaska". adfg.alaska.gov. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 28 October 2025.