A '''fishing guide''' is a guide who specializes in guiding recreational anglers.
==Overview== Some anglers may choose to hire fishing guides who are knowledgeable about the local fishing grounds and feeding patterns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorsey|first=Chris|title=Remembering The Ultimate Bonefish Destination|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisdorsey/2020/05/29/remembering-the-ultimate-bonefish-destination/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
=== USA === [[File:Outing (1885) (14589920219).jpg|thumb|Atlantic tarpon fishing with a fishing guide from a canoe in Florida in 1885]] Guided fishing is very common in the American state of Florida with guided fishing trips out of Islamorada starting in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Discover Islamorada’s Angling History |url=https://visitfloridakeys.com/keysvoices/discover-islamoradas-angling-history/ |website=visitfloridakeys.com |publisher=Visit Florida Keys |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref> Guided fishing for Atlantic tarpon further up the Florida coast started even earlier at the end of the 1800s, early guides generally catered to wealthy anglers from big northern American cities but also Europeans who often engaged them for extended periods of time of weeks or months. These tourists and guides were often associated with private clubs, hotels, or lodges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tarpon |url=https://museumoffloridahistory.com/explore/exhibits/previous-exhibits/lure-of-florida-fishing/tarpon/ |website=museumoffloridahistory.com |publisher=Museum of Florida History |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>
=== Gillie === {{Excerpt|Gillie}}
== Employment == The increase in popularity of flats fishing, especially combined with fly fishing, as a destination activity has created additional job opportunities for fishing guides in some destinations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Santella|first=Chris|date=2012-06-19|title=Finding Work From Fly-Fishing's Popularity (Published 2012)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/sports/finding-work-from-fly-fishings-popularity-in-mexico.html|access-date=2021-02-17|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Licensing === In the American state of Florida there is no licensing scheme for fishing guides beyond federal requirements for those who operate some motor vessels to have a United States Coast Guard Charter Boat Captain's license.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Pick a Fishing Guide |url=https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/florida-fishing-guided-fishing-tours/ |website=visitflorida.com |publisher=Visit Florida |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref> Fishing guides in the state of Alaska were required to be licensed at the state level after 2004 but were not before then.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hepler |first1=Kelly |title=Licensing Guides Benefits Anglers and Alaska |url=https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=92 |website=adfg.alaska.gov |publisher=Alaska Department of Fish and Game |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>
== Notable fishing guides == * Håkan Andersson (ice hockey) * Thomas Barker (fishing guide) * Bouncer Smith * Ebenezer Quippish * Guillaume Fourrier * Cindy Garrison * Bud Lilly * Mahroot * Frank Mundus * Hans Nordin (fisherman) * Tom Rosenbauer * Ted Fay (fly fisherman)
==See also== * Outfitter * FishingBooker
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Fisheries and fishing}} {{Angling topics}}
Category:Guides Category:Recreational fishing