Want To Become A Better Fisherman? Hire A Fishing Instructor
By Matt Walsh
“Most people don’t even entertain the thought of hiring a guide to play the role of an instructor or fishing coach”
There is a man on my home lake I often see fishing but rarely catching. He is a die hard fisherman fishing in the spring,
summer, and fall in all sorts of weather and has what appears to be a new boat and gear. Watching this man fish is like
watching a Chinese fire drill. He back trolls (about 5 mph) with his 150 hp engine, wildly spinning around in circles, while
frantically trying to control his boat by steering from the console. What’s worse is that he performs this circus act where
there are no fish! This man is obviously dedicated, putting in the time, money, and effort, but he needs more than that - he
needs a little coaching.
A FISHING COACH?
The most common situation people think of hiring a fishing
guide is when they go on vacation. Either they are unfamiliar with
the body of water or they don’t have a boat. Most people don’t
even entertain the thought of hiring a guide to play the role of an
instructor or a fishing coach. But when they take up golf or buy
a dog for hunting and don’t have the time or expertise, they hire a
golf coach or dog trainer, thus shortening the learning curve and
increasing their odds of success. Hiring a guide or fishing coach
can accomplish these same goals regardless of whether they are a
beginner or have been fishing for 30 years. That is one of the
great aspects of fishing; it is a never-ending learning process.
LEARN A NEW TECHNIQUE
It’s human nature to stay in our “comfort zones.” We tend
to fish the way we like to or what has worked in the past. Some
fishermen decide before they leave their homes for a day of fishing
that they are going to pull spinners or troll crank baits all day
regardless of the conditions. We tend to get in a routine or “funk”
especially if we fish the same body of water all the time. A guide
can offer a fresh perspective.
Mother Nature is constantly changing and as fishermen
we need change with her by exploring new locations and
expanding our angling repertoire. In South Dakota the water
seems to become clearer every year, thus changing fish location
and the techniques used to catch them. For example, during the
summer months at Platte, SD on the Missouri River, clear water
may drive the walleyes to suspend in extremely deep water - time to break out the lead core, snap weights, and planer
boards. Not familiar with these techniques or don’t know what kind of equipment to buy? The right guide can help take you
step by step through the process.
The clear water is also producing weeds in some of South Dakota’s lakes where, in the past the weeds were sparse or
nonexistent. This new structure within the ecosystem has created new opportunities for predators and prey as well for the
fishermen. Too many anglers are still fishing the old community holes in the meantime the new emerging weed areas are left
untouched. Learning perfect boat control and a few techniques to effectively trigger these “weed fish” may pay big
dividends.
In fishing, results are in the details. A guide can help improve a familiar technique. A few simple adjustments in
mechanics or a tackle adjustment can make a big impact. For example, most experienced anglers have jigged for years. So
how can this be improved? Switch to a hi-visibility line and become a line watcher. When casting jigs so many fishermen
feel for the fish with their rod tip instead of watching the line. Not all strikes register on the rod tip as a result, bites go
undetected. This can also explain the “swing and a miss” syndrome. These details add up to more fish, which add up too
much more fun.
THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Occasionally, I will get requests from clients to guide
them using their boat. I agreed once, a lesson learned, this
was a mistake. Besides safety concerns, I couldn’t
guarantee a fighting chance of success. Why? The clients
didn’t have the right equipment. Equipment means anything
used to catch fish - the tools of the trade. Before spending
a significant amount of money on equipment, it is a good
idea to go on a guided trip. In particular, on the waters you
plan to fish, ask questions and take notes: Why do you use
this line for this application? What are the advantages of
this rod? Why are all your electronics this brand? Has this
been a dependable boat for you? The cost of a few hours
spent educating oneself will save time and money in the
long run.
Not only can a guide steer you towards the right
equipment, he or she can also teach you how to use it.
For example, the importance of electronics cannot be
over emphasized. Much of the information fishermen
should utilize comes from their depth finder. Electronics
not only aid in discovering fish location but also help one
decide which technique will be most productive. There is
no substitute for on the water instruction, especially when it comes to interpreting the information on the depth finder’s
screen. From the basics such as how to set the unit up properly to understanding the fish feeding mood based on its relation
to structure. Again, having a guide coach you through this integral process will save months or even years of trial and error
on own.
INTRODUCING KIDS TO FISHING
Many of us were fortunate enough to be introduced to
fishing by a family member. Unfortunately, not everyone has that
special somebody. It is heart breaking to see a parent struggling
to teach their child how to fish. This is a more common scene
than what one might expect. That is why The Walleye Wrangler
Guide Service offers a 4-hour on the water “Kids Clinic” where
the parent or guardian can accompany their child and learn
basics such as knot tying, bait rigging, casting, and tackle tips.
The goal is teach both the parent and child enough of the
fundamentals to get them successfully started in fishing.
Statistics show that if a child is not introduced to fishing by
the age of twelve, that they most likely will not fish as an adult.
FINDING A FISHING COACH
Start by asking friends for recommendations or surf the
Internet and conduct some research. This will provide not only
background on the guide but also insight as to what to expect.
Next, call the guide and ask questions. Be very specific as to
your level of experience and what you want to accomplish. In
essence you are interviewing the guide. Then ask yourself is
the guide proficient in the technique I want to learn? How are
the guide’s communication skills?
TIME IN SHORT SUPPLY?
Most weekend anglers is too busy with work and family to be able to spend their time attending fishing seminars, reading
books, and being able to spend countless hours on the water. When they do get the time to fish, most don’t spend it
experimenting with new techniques, locations, or familiarizing themselves with their equipment. A short cut to becoming a
better angler is to rethink the role of a guide as an instructor or fishing coach. Possibly eliminating years from the fishing
learning curve and making limited time on the water more productive.
Author Matt Walsh is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service (www.walleyewrangler.com) servicing Lake
Francis Case on the Missouri River and Lake Thompson, SD.
By Matt Walsh
“Most people don’t even entertain the thought of hiring a guide to play the role of an instructor or fishing coach”
There is a man on my home lake I often see fishing but rarely catching. He is a die hard fisherman fishing in the spring,
summer, and fall in all sorts of weather and has what appears to be a new boat and gear. Watching this man fish is like
watching a Chinese fire drill. He back trolls (about 5 mph) with his 150 hp engine, wildly spinning around in circles, while
frantically trying to control his boat by steering from the console. What’s worse is that he performs this circus act where
there are no fish! This man is obviously dedicated, putting in the time, money, and effort, but he needs more than that - he
needs a little coaching.
A FISHING COACH?
The most common situation people think of hiring a fishing
guide is when they go on vacation. Either they are unfamiliar with
the body of water or they don’t have a boat. Most people don’t
even entertain the thought of hiring a guide to play the role of an
instructor or a fishing coach. But when they take up golf or buy
a dog for hunting and don’t have the time or expertise, they hire a
golf coach or dog trainer, thus shortening the learning curve and
increasing their odds of success. Hiring a guide or fishing coach
can accomplish these same goals regardless of whether they are a
beginner or have been fishing for 30 years. That is one of the
great aspects of fishing; it is a never-ending learning process.
LEARN A NEW TECHNIQUE
It’s human nature to stay in our “comfort zones.” We tend
to fish the way we like to or what has worked in the past. Some
fishermen decide before they leave their homes for a day of fishing
that they are going to pull spinners or troll crank baits all day
regardless of the conditions. We tend to get in a routine or “funk”
especially if we fish the same body of water all the time. A guide
can offer a fresh perspective.
Mother Nature is constantly changing and as fishermen
we need change with her by exploring new locations and
expanding our angling repertoire. In South Dakota the water
seems to become clearer every year, thus changing fish location
and the techniques used to catch them. For example, during the
summer months at Platte, SD on the Missouri River, clear water
may drive the walleyes to suspend in extremely deep water - time to break out the lead core, snap weights, and planer
boards. Not familiar with these techniques or don’t know what kind of equipment to buy? The right guide can help take you
step by step through the process.
The clear water is also producing weeds in some of South Dakota’s lakes where, in the past the weeds were sparse or
nonexistent. This new structure within the ecosystem has created new opportunities for predators and prey as well for the
fishermen. Too many anglers are still fishing the old community holes in the meantime the new emerging weed areas are left
untouched. Learning perfect boat control and a few techniques to effectively trigger these “weed fish” may pay big
dividends.
In fishing, results are in the details. A guide can help improve a familiar technique. A few simple adjustments in
mechanics or a tackle adjustment can make a big impact. For example, most experienced anglers have jigged for years. So
how can this be improved? Switch to a hi-visibility line and become a line watcher. When casting jigs so many fishermen
feel for the fish with their rod tip instead of watching the line. Not all strikes register on the rod tip as a result, bites go
undetected. This can also explain the “swing and a miss” syndrome. These details add up to more fish, which add up too
much more fun.
THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Occasionally, I will get requests from clients to guide
them using their boat. I agreed once, a lesson learned, this
was a mistake. Besides safety concerns, I couldn’t
guarantee a fighting chance of success. Why? The clients
didn’t have the right equipment. Equipment means anything
used to catch fish - the tools of the trade. Before spending
a significant amount of money on equipment, it is a good
idea to go on a guided trip. In particular, on the waters you
plan to fish, ask questions and take notes: Why do you use
this line for this application? What are the advantages of
this rod? Why are all your electronics this brand? Has this
been a dependable boat for you? The cost of a few hours
spent educating oneself will save time and money in the
long run.
Not only can a guide steer you towards the right
equipment, he or she can also teach you how to use it.
For example, the importance of electronics cannot be
over emphasized. Much of the information fishermen
should utilize comes from their depth finder. Electronics
not only aid in discovering fish location but also help one
decide which technique will be most productive. There is
no substitute for on the water instruction, especially when it comes to interpreting the information on the depth finder’s
screen. From the basics such as how to set the unit up properly to understanding the fish feeding mood based on its relation
to structure. Again, having a guide coach you through this integral process will save months or even years of trial and error
on own.
INTRODUCING KIDS TO FISHING
Many of us were fortunate enough to be introduced to
fishing by a family member. Unfortunately, not everyone has that
special somebody. It is heart breaking to see a parent struggling
to teach their child how to fish. This is a more common scene
than what one might expect. That is why The Walleye Wrangler
Guide Service offers a 4-hour on the water “Kids Clinic” where
the parent or guardian can accompany their child and learn
basics such as knot tying, bait rigging, casting, and tackle tips.
The goal is teach both the parent and child enough of the
fundamentals to get them successfully started in fishing.
Statistics show that if a child is not introduced to fishing by
the age of twelve, that they most likely will not fish as an adult.
FINDING A FISHING COACH
Start by asking friends for recommendations or surf the
Internet and conduct some research. This will provide not only
background on the guide but also insight as to what to expect.
Next, call the guide and ask questions. Be very specific as to
your level of experience and what you want to accomplish. In
essence you are interviewing the guide. Then ask yourself is
the guide proficient in the technique I want to learn? How are
the guide’s communication skills?
TIME IN SHORT SUPPLY?
Most weekend anglers is too busy with work and family to be able to spend their time attending fishing seminars, reading
books, and being able to spend countless hours on the water. When they do get the time to fish, most don’t spend it
experimenting with new techniques, locations, or familiarizing themselves with their equipment. A short cut to becoming a
better angler is to rethink the role of a guide as an instructor or fishing coach. Possibly eliminating years from the fishing
learning curve and making limited time on the water more productive.
Author Matt Walsh is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service (www.walleyewrangler.com) servicing Lake
Francis Case on the Missouri River and Lake Thompson, SD.
JJ Hofts shows that a great attitude and the
willingness to learn is the first step to becoming a
better angler. Photo courtesy of The Walleye
Wrangler Guide Service
willingness to learn is the first step to becoming a
better angler. Photo courtesy of The Walleye
Wrangler Guide Service
| Tim & Jake Curtis wanted to learn new techniques to help them catch fish on their home lake - mission accomplished! Photo courtesy of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service. |
The key to introducing kids to fishing is to make
it a positive experience. Little Charlie Walsh with
his uncle Matt.
it a positive experience. Little Charlie Walsh with
his uncle Matt.