becomming a guide

Question
SIR
I HAVE BEEN FISHING FOR 30YRS AND HAVE NEVER LOST THE LOVE OF IT. RECENTELY I HAVE BEEN GETTING A KICK OUT OF SHOWING MY FRIENDS AND THERE KIDS HOW TO FISH.
WHAT ADVISE DO YOU HAVE OLD FISHER THAT WOULD LIKE TO RETIRE TO BECOMMING FISHING GUIDE.
                THANKS
                CHARLES

Answer
Charles,
Sorry for it taking so long to get back to you.  I've had a few health issues of late.  
Anyway...  I know how it feels to have that fishing bug that never ever goes away.  I retired from the oil business after 25 years and started my dream job as a fishing guide in Alaska.  Well it is about the hardest job I have ever had for the money you will make.  It is a pretty hard "click" to get into in some places.  Insurance rates have tripled in the past 5 years and some of the programs that are in place to obtain permits for fishing in certain areas can often be extremely hard to impossible to get.  You must be ready to be the "Hero" or the "Goat" on any given day.  Some folks can't be pleased no matter how hard you work of what the fishing is like.  Most folks say "we don't care if it is a slow day" but by the end of the day they care.  Unfortunately there are times when you just can't raise a fish to save your life.
Now those were some of the negative things.  What is very nice is to watch the expression on a kids face catching their first fish, the older fisher that has been fishing for decades being thrilled with his best fish of a lifetime.  The stories, the wildlife you are surrounded by as your "office" everyday.  It is a hard, physical jobs that has it's rewards but very few of them will make you rich by any means.  I know dozens of guides and none of them have been able to make themselves wealthy as a guide.  Good luck if you get into it.  I have found it much more gratifying to get together with our local fishing clubs and schools and take kids out fishing than taking out paying customers.