Hi BWCA lovers,

This is my first visit to this site and I'm always up for some conversation when it comes to Basswood Lake. I fish Basswood every summer for 3 weeks in a row and wish I could stay longer. We portage in across Prairie Portage daily. My Goal is to catch big eyes and smallies. So far so good and I feel that the fishing on Basswood is as good today as it was 25 yrs ago. I have some nice photos from Basswood on my web-site if you would be interested in viewing them.

Just click on the loon for 2005 Lee's Boundary Waters Adventures
http://www.leeslakegenevaguideservice.com

Nice fish....Nice site
Woodpecker

Whey you guide, do you fish with your clients? I was with a guide once who fished and it ticked me off. I am not paying for him to fish but to teach me techniques and handle the boat.

I think some "guides" are just guys with boats. There is more to being a guide than driving a boat. I have had 4 guides in my life, none have really put me on good fish or taught me anything.

Just curious...

I have found it depends. Definetly, when I am floating rivers in Montana fly fishing, the guides are working the oars and telling me where to cast and keeping on top of my form and line mending. However, when out of the boat, they often take a rod to show technique or to find where the fish are held up. It is a good experience to see them fish, and to have them find the fish which otherwise my poor technique or lack of knowledge of that river could not. There is a guide I have used on the big horn in Montana, and I swear he has caught of trout 90% of the time he puts a line in the water. Truely amazing river, and understanding of it.

The other times I have taken guides where ocean salmon fishing in Washington and Alaska. In both cases, the guides have lines in the water because it is better to have 3 lines than 2 in the water. But they typically will not bring up a fish.

When I was muskie fishing in Wisc this last summer, we took a guide out one day and he did fish. However, he did spend alot of time giving tips and advice. And he had a wireless wrist controlled trolling motor which made this much easier. It didn't both me because we wanted to catch or find fish. The more things you can throw at them, the better chance you have to see one. We only caught one small on that day. Such is luck sometimes. But I would still recommend him as a good guide.

When I guide I usually fish along with my clients. The only time I Don't is if I have:
A...3 clients In the boat
B...young children
C...the fish action is hot and heavy

Most clients expect you to fish along with them so they can watch your technique and they can duplicate it more successfully.

I would not like that. You can show me the technique and help me fine tune it, but I don't want my guide catching fish. That is the whole point of me paying him to take me fishing.

NO THANKS!

This emphasizes that when working with a guide or outfitter, that you communicate and come to a understanding of the service you desire prior to booking anything. They are independent businesses which operate as they choose.