QuestionQUESTION: I am considering going to Alaska to attend the Legend Lodge Guide School this summer. I want to be a guide and do not know where to start. I am 34 years old and have been fly fishing for about five years. The cost of the school is $2,000 for a week. Do you have a opinion on this. Do do have any suggestions. I live in West Virginia currently. Thank You
ANSWER: I am not familiar with this operation, school.
I would check them out quite a bit before a commitment.
Will this help you to get an Orvis Certification? Will you be taking a LOT of people Fly Fishing in West Virginia? I know that it is gaining in popularity, but is it worth the $3000 for a week to go up to Alaska? (Figuring in the school, flight and the food and car rental) If you have been fly fishing for 5 years on a regular basis and have watched a lot of the good Fly Fishing Videos you might get some good EXPERT advice on form and on teaching.. on the other hand will that stead you well in your profession now. With things the way they are, economy, gas prices, etc.. I PERSONALLY would think about it very seriously before doing it. I would have to evaluate what it could return in business, will it increase your business or just enhance it without increasing? If all it is doing is making you a better fly fisherman and not increasing income I would have to question it. So you know I will be in Alaska this summer working at a lodge. If you decide to do this, I will be in Soldotna and would be happy to meet with you. I also have some links to Priceline.com on my website. Airfare right now is about $650 Round Trip with one stop. Direct Flights are more costly. If you decide to go and want help booking flights let me know.
Jim Dicken
[email protected]
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QUESTION: Thank you Jim. Does everyone who guides in Alaska need the Coast Guard License? Can you go into detail about this.
Thank You, Tim
AnswerI am pretty sure you have to have one for all waters in Alaska since all waters IN Alaska flow into the Ocean Directly. I am not familiar with any lakes that do not drain directly into rivers. River Guides I think need a 6 pack license. Ocean or Bay Charters need a higher classification license.
NOW that may not include canoe guides. Pretty sure that the only time you need a USCG license is when you have a powered vessel. Electric, or other engine.
If you guide a fly fisherman to bank fish no USCG license is necessary that I am aware of. However you would want to check with the USCG offices in Alaska about what waters they require a License on. I DO NOT know what the regs are for guides in Alaska from the State. I do know you have to pass some tests and get a license from the state.
The regulations state that navigable waters which have commercial traffic are designated as needing a license by the Coast Guard. That means you can navigate from the waters to the Ocean and that there is commercial traffic. Lakes with dams that are not navigable are not considered Coast Guard Jurisdiction. IF there is a natural lake in Alaska then it probably does not require a USCG License.. The lakes on the Kenai Peninsula all have rivers flowing in and out of them to the ocean so you would need a license.. but again I am going by some vague laws the USCG uses to enable them to make guides get licenses.
Jim
