Should Fishing Guides Be Licensed?

[LynnF]

Folks,

 

Based on Lynn's comments - went looking for a "guides" association web site. This is the best that I could do. Is this the only one? Looks like a list of guiding companies.

 

ttp://www.aoaa.ca/members.htm

 

Some years ago I do recall seeing a larger site.

 

regards,

Don

 

That looks like it Don....or rather a reincarnation of the group that I recalled - and now that I think about it, it was the foaa. They were doing some good work - I wonder what happened, other than the name change. Hopefully this organization fares better.

[Weedy1]

Folks,

 

Based on Lynn's comments - went looking for a "guides" association web site. This is the best that I could do. Is this the only one? Looks like a list of guiding companies.

 

ttp://www.aoaa.ca/members.htm

 

Some years ago I do recall seeing a larger site.

 

regards,

Don

 

I noticed the site is essentialy blank. Looks as though they were in the process of updating it awhile ago.

 

"Our site is being refreshed for the 2006 Season so be sure to check back regularly for updates"

 

There is no standards, contacts or mission statement.

 

Is this organization in effect?

[nebc]

define guiding...I know lots of guys that have their own boats, and take out their friends..So, who ever is rowing the boat is guiding, whoever's vehicle is towing the trailer is now guiding?

 

If i pay 20 bucks to a friend for gas, is he suddenly guiding me..what if i borrow some flies from him, or get some casting advice?

 

 

 

Guiding is way too vague, and easy to take advantage of, even if there are licenses issued..Any guy from the states could come up, tell his clients to tell anyone who asks that they're all really good friends.

 

 

What if a known guide is having his friends out and they're not paying him..he's suddenly guiding?

 

 

waayyyy to vague

 

Here in British Columbia the Wildlife Act defines guiding precisely. Google it or go to www.gov.bc.ca and search for it there using their search engine. There is little if any question about why it was needed here and indeed I am surprised angling guiding is unregulated in Alberta. I know big game guiding is regulated but is not the same way as we do here in BC. In BC the angling guides are not given any exclusivity and can often guide anglers anywhere in a region but must do the paperwork required. I think in some areas the angling guides may be restricted to certain rivers esp on the coast.

 

Our guide-outfitters that guide for big game in BC have had defined guiding made very precise in the BC Wildlife Act and they only have the right to guide in designated guide areas over which he has tenures where nobody else may guide in his area. Each guide and his assistant guides are required to be licensed annually but the guide-outfitter has a longer term right to guide exclusivley in his area. That does not mean he can prevent BC residents from hunting (or for angling guides, fishing) anywhere they want unless it involves private lands.