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Merry Christmas everyone (hope it's ok to say this)! Just been doing some reading on guide requirements and licenses needed for BC. Looking to stir the pot a little and to see what everyone's thoughts are for guides having to be licensed in Alberta. First off, I have done quite a few guided trips and have NEVER been disappointed with my choice of guide. I had no idea if they were "certified to guide" or not. But at the same time, I wonder if I have been lucky, or just did my homework as to who to choose for my trip? I am pretty sure I did my homework for the most part! But what if, I was not as informed as a local, and I chose a guide that really wasn't experienced or competent to actually be a guide? I have taken trips to BC to do some steel head fishing and the fun in the trip is also the planning, preparation, excitement of that trip from the time you book. I would have been very disappointed and a little bit po'd if the guide didn't have the experience or competence needed to provide a great trip. After all, I spent a lot of money to do this. I also wonder if all of the guides (say on the Bow for instance), have Emergency training? I am getting a little older like all of us, and if I were to have a health emergency, would that guide know what to do, or even be trained for this? Do all guides carry a minimum first aid kit, with aspirins for potential heart attack, diabetic attack, etc.? I am sure most guide companies DO carry these as a minimum however, who's checking to ensure our local guides are: experienced, competent, knowledgeable of the ecosystems, bugs, first aid, emergencies, have a communication device in case of emergency, etc.. Where is the check and balance? Not sure about the how many guides should be on the river or if there is a quota on this, but I for one, would sure like to feel safe and secure and ready for anything when I hire a guide. I am putting my trust in them to bring me home safe and content. Cheers