I'd say be totally competent in a wide variety of conditions before you becomce a fishing guide. And learn every aspect of what it entials to be sure it's what you really want to do. I've seen many young ones that weren't ready yet. Also understand that it's not an easy job. All the prep work before trips and cleanup afterward, along with the pressure of having to please clients makes this type of job much less fun than what many think it is.

On the up side, you do enjoy many great days on the river when the right conditions, and clients, are in place. Tough way to make a living though. Most guides have other part-time jobs to augment guiding income, which becomes necessary in times like we've had with steady high muddy water lately. As for those upper figure guestimates for guiding income, you would have to also guide the big dollar AK or BC areas during the summer to reach those levels.

RT