Planning Your Guided Trip
Rate information for Guided Trips?
When do I need to book my guide trip?
What information needs to be provided?
How should I be prepared for my trip?
What should I bring to my trip?
Where and When do we meet?
Who will my guide be?
Will I have the same guide?
Where shall we going fishing?
What to expect from our guide staff.
What if it rains or snows?
How many anglers per boat?
The following information provides you an overview of common questions. When fishing in our area there is plenty of stimulus to keep your attention. It is our hope that many of your concerns can be mediated prior to your arrival so that the trip is comfortable, successful, and expectations are not only met, but exceeded.
Knowing what to expect, for both the guide and the angler, can make a lot of difference in the overall success of a guided fishing experience.
Our goal is to provide you, our valued guest, an enjoyable and satisfying experience. The kind of experience you can't wait to tell stories about for years to come. To accomplish our goals we want to know what you expect from your trip as early as possible.
We appreciate feedback before and after your experience to e nsure we are providing the experience of your dreams.
- Guded Trip Day Rates -
Please refer to our Guide Rates page for our current summer and off-season trip rates. Please pay special attention to our current deposit policy. Our deposit policy is designed to provide a fair and clear business transaction so more important concerns can be brought into focus, such as catching Trout.
The Guided Trip fee includes the guide services for the day, transportation to and from the fly shop, lunch, and a great day of fishing. Fishing licenses and terminal tackle (leaders, tippet, flies, etc...) are not included in your Guided Trip fee.
[return to top]- Advanced Reservations -
If you want to specify a guide, area to fish, or one or two specific days, we suggest you make plans as early as possible. Many of our clients return year after year and they often like to request the same guides they have fished with before.
A full year in advance is recommended if you have very specific requirements.
If it isn't important which guide you fish with, where you fish, and you have a very flexible schedule, we can usually work you in with just a few weeks notice. But again, if your schedule allows you to make plans early, it is a good idea to do so.
If your schedule allows you to make plans early, it is a good idea to do so.
South Fork Outfitters is legally limited to 4 boats per section, no exception. Keep this in mind when booking your trip. If you would like to see a certain section of river please request the section when booking your trip. Likewise the Henrys Fork is limited to 3 boats per section. Some of these river areas are requested a year in advance.
[return to top]- Provide Information for an Organized Trip -
If you want to request a specific area to fish we would like to know in advanced. During our busy season we run 8 to 16 trips per day. With the variety of fishing opportunities available, it isn't difficult for our guides to spread out over the entire area.
Finding the highest quality fishing for clients is not a problem as long as everyone doesn't want to fish the same place. By discussing your desired destination in advance we can tailor your trip and e nsure that you are in the waters which you have recently read about, or dreamed of fishing your entire life.
It also helps us if you can give us some idea of your ability and experience level.
We fish with clients of all skill levels and abilities. Areas where the fish are smaller and easier to catch which provide more action are often the best choice for fly fishers with limited experience.
Experienced anglers are often times more interested in the challenges of fishing for larger trout, even if they don't catch as many.
[return to top]- Prepare for your Trip -
The elevation of our shop is over 6,000 feet. Almost all of our fishing areas are a mile or more in elevation. It frequently takes a day or two to get adjusted to the elevation if you come from a low elevation. Don't try to go too hard the first day or two.
Try to spend a few days practicing your casting before your trip. You'll be amazed at the difference a few hours of practice on your lawn can make. Without practice, it can sometimes take several days for an experienced caster to get back in the groove.
[return to top]Rentals and Full Outfitting
South Fork Outfitters has a full rental department with the absolute best in Fly Fishing E quipment. We can provide you with a Sage Rod, Simms waders and wading boots, and any thing else you might need for a glorious day on the river. Should you arrive without a necessary piece of equipment, or have no fly fishing equipment at all, we are happy to get you completely outfitted from head to toe for the experience of a lifetime. If you know that you will need outfitting please notify us ahead of time and we will reserve your equipment. Additionally, if you have had your eye on a new item that you would like to take out, please let us know in advance , as new reels and lines take some time to prepare correctly for fishing. By contacting us in advance we will have your new equipment ready for you in the shop the morning of your day out fishing. This will greatly increase you enjoyment of the morning so you can pick out the perfect fly for the day!
Recommendations for Bringing Your Own Gear
If you prefer your own fishing gear, we recommend an 8 1/2 or 9 foot rod with a 5 or 6 weight floating line, which will handle most situations. A sinking line isn't necessary unless you plan to fish our regional lakes. We have rods and waders for rent if you don't have your own. We also have demo rods if you want to try out a rod before you purchase . In most cases you will want to purchase recommended flie s the morning of your trip to match conditions.
Chest waders are a good idea during the summer and a must in the early spring, fall, and winter months. Often during the summer months when the temperatures are warm, light pants or shorts and sandals are fine. Often, the summer sun requires that you have a hat, polarized sunglasses, insect repellant, and waterproof sun-screen. Be prepared for varied weather. The weather here changes fast. A sweater, jacket or down vest, as well as a good raincoat should be included as a precaution.
At the shop your guide will discuss the fishing options available to you and review your equipment upon request. Once you determine the destination and peripherals, you can then pick out an appropriate selection of flies ideally suited to the water, hatch, and conditions in effect at the time of your trip.
Many of our clients use an average of 12 to 18 flies per day, depending on where they fish. We do not accept returned flies for credit at the end of the trip; however, we will allow you to trade any unused flies for ones that are better suited to your home waters. Your guide will also assist you in selecting tackle items such as leaders, tippet and fly floatant necessary to help make your trip a success.
[return to top]- Where do I meet my Guide -
Our guide trips originate from South Fork Outfitters. The guides arrive at the shop at 8:00 AM. If you arrive before 8:00 a.m., you will often have to wait while the guide prepares for the day. From May through September, we encourage clients to come in between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. If the weather is cool, we will generally start a little later. From late September the rest of autumn, we’d like to have you arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. We can arrange to meet you at another location or time if arranged in advance.
Our trips usually get back to the shop about 6:00 PM. You can make arrangements with your guide if you wish to fish longer at the beginning of the day. If you put in a long day, we recommend that you consider an additional gratuity for your guide for the extra time spent.
[return to top]- Who will my guide be? -
Unless you make a specific request, we will not assign your guide until two or three days before your trip. Even then, that assignment is subject to change for one reason or another. We will do our best to match you with a guide to provide you with the experience you are seeking.
[return to top]- Will I receive the same guide each day? -
Along the same lines as above, some guides are requested months in advance and they may not be available to fish with you for the whole week. In the case where a customer has told us that they like to fish with different guides each day because they can learn different techniques, we are happy to cater your trip. If you would like to fish with the same guide for your whole stay please let us know when you book your trip and we will determine if it is possible to accommodate the request for your scheduled vacation.
[return to top]- Where will we go fishing? -
There are many factors which can determine where and when you might want to go fishing. If would like to determine an appropriate season or trip date please contact our fly shop directly.
When you get to the shop on the morning of your guide trip, we will introduce you to your guide. Then, you and your guide can discuss options for the day. By that time, your guide will have had a chance to talk with our other guides and he will have the latest information on what areas are fishing well. They will then take this in formation along with your personal goals for your trip into account and decide on a destination . We advise you to follow the guide’s recommendation but do not hesitate to speak up and let him know what is important to you through out the day.
[return to top]- What can I expect from my guide? -
South Fork Outfitters and guides are experienced instructors and expert boatmen and will do everything they can to not only help you catch trout but to make your fishing trip an enjoyable experience . They will cater hands-on instruction to include the assistance you desire, from knot tying and fly selection, to casting, presentation, and landing fish.
Additionally there are many services which will likely be unseen: Expert instruction and knot tying skills, transportation (once you meet your guide), navigation and river shuttles, lunch, soft drinks, drift boats and other guide related equipment.
Lodging, liquor, fishing tackle, flies, fishing licenses, gratuities and other items of a personal nature are not included in our day rate.
These and expertise as to where and when to fish to insure you the best possible opportunity to land fish are why our guides will guarantee you the best possible opportunity to enjoy a day in our amazing wilderness.
Our guide rates are based on one or two anglers per guide.
[return to top]- What if it rains or snows on the day my scheduled guide trip? -
For better or for worse, some of the best fishing occurs when the weather is less than ideal. That said, we want you to have a good time and will not force you to fish in weather that could be dangerously cold. On the other hand, if we have 10 other guide trips during the day and they all go out and have a successful day we would have to take another look at the situation.
If you book a trip and decide to not go, the guide doesn't get paid. In these unusual circumstances we will side on what is fair to everyone.
[return to top]- Can We Take Three Guests with One Guide? -
No, the drift boats which are used through out the region are designed to safely accommodate two anglers and one oarsman.
We limit our guide trips to two anglers per guide. Experience has taught us that three person trips do not allow us to provide the level of service that we strive for.
[return to top]For more information please don't hesitate to
Call toll free at 1-800-483-2110 for reservations.
