I hate to do this, but a fishing guide should know where the fish are biting; he didn't and we got skunked on a full day trip for two on our 20th wedding anniversary.
We fished yesterday and I made my displeasure clear several times on the water and off that we were here to catch fish not just take a pleasure rafting trip. I assume he either didn't tell the proprietor or they don't care as they've had yesterday afternoon/evening and all morning today to reach out (it's now noon the following day). Given the crickets, I'm now writing this review.
Initially I spoke with Brian on the phone and he put me at ease as did their online reviews. After finding out that we wanted to catch fish and have views he recommended the Snake River for a full day session. Admittedly he said it was one of the final days for fishing the Snake as the water would be rising later this week, but that we would still be good. We shouldn't expect champion trophies as that was another river, but it would still be plenty of cutt-throat Troutt and a lot of fun with an insane view. Typically 2 out of 3 ain't bad, but given we were there for fish, the view and fun only equate to 1 Star.
Admittedly we got 1 bite the entire 6+ hours and I reeled it in so we didn't get completely skunked, but I could have saved half the money and just done the scenic raft tour twice as that's effectively what we received.
- 5 stars: fishing guide
+ 5 stars: equipment
+ 5 stars: views
+ 5 stars: fun on the river
+ 2 stars: education (based on expectation set by other reviews)
We had Ian and he was a nice guy and overall we had a good trip with some laughs. I like the guy personally and other than catching fish, we had a great time on the river. However, he admitted at the beginning of the day that this was only his 3rd official outing this year on the Snake and later that he had never personally fished from the groups fishing holes. Neither are good signs as both caused alarm. He didn't know where the fish were biting and it seemed clear that this is not his normal fishing area. That's an absolute first for a fishing guide and not a good first.
When you're paying this type of money for a fishing guide you should expect them to be intimately familiar with the water and be able to put you on fish. That was most definitely NOT the case.
He clearly knows fly fishing and there definitely was some education, but nothing like what was described by other reviewers. I caught on almost immediately and received a few solid tips from him as he mainly focused on helping my wife. We're both first timers, but were quickly casting to specific areas he would point out and following whatever instruction he gave to improve our odds. I think he really tried to help us catch and even verbalized his frustration a few times at us getting skunked, but at the end of the day, it's his job and the reason we pay the hefty fee, for him to know all the honey holes and where the fish are biting today.
Did I mention it was our 20th wedding anniversary and we chose to fish for the day?
The Good:
Ian is a nice guy who loves Fly Fishing
They have good equipment and handle all the details
They have a cool spot/camp off the river that's a great place to relax and have your lunch
The Snake views are stunning
In the first 5 minutes we saw a moose, a marmont and was almost boarded by a beaver
The Bad:
Doesn't know where to find fish on the Snake
Doesn't fish this river enough to know where they are biting
Isn't a fishing guide at least for this river
Bottom line: if you don't care about catching fish and just want to have a good time with great views, then this is the school/guide for you. read more