Any Fishing Guides On The Niangua?

[FishinCricket]

Two questions...

1.) Are there currrently any fishing guides that guide the Niangua River on any kind of regular basis? I must say I have never seen one... (though I relly wouldn't know what to look for..)

2.) What would I have to do, legally, to start guiding on the Niangua? I am sure there are all sorts of things I would need to be compliant with the state, but my internet research has yeilded nothing.. Anyone have any advice on where I would start in this process, what all equipment I would need to invest in, etc...

For any of you guides out there that are thinking of how deep I will get into your pockets if you answer, don't worry too much.. I will still be working 50 hours per week at my current job, but I could think of no better part time job in the world (and a great retirement job I would guess..)

[oneshot]

You know I can't think of any.Plenty of Outfitters for Canoes and Camping.Most just give advise what their biting on and what part of the river.Some may give classes on Fly Fishing,but thats about it.

oneshot

[Bman]

Legally speaking if you guide by motorized boat, you need to be Coast Guard approved.

[FishinCricket]

Legally speaking if you guide by motorized boat, you need to be Coast Guard approved.

This answer is a start... For instance: By motorized, do you mean trolling motors too?

And can you give an other advice for what all licensing I would need, or point me in the right direction? I would assume that I would need either insurance or a disclaimer for customers, but what, legally, is required?

Or are there any MO state websites that would give me any information?

Thanks again for the advice....

[FishinCricket]

You know I can't think of any.Plenty of Outfitters for Canoes and Camping.Most just give advise what their biting on and what part of the river.Some may give classes on Fly Fishing,but thats about it.

oneshot

This I have noticed... Here's what I got me to thinking about being a guide...

I have put alot of friends and family in the front of my john boat and taken them down the stream to the awaiting fish. I have lost count of the number of people I have helped to catch their first trout in the Niangua. I figure that if I can start a parttime business, put even a little money in my pocket (not to mention reap the benefits of being a small business owner), and spend a majority of my free time on the river... Why not?

[McManus]

Dale Williams (from Weavers Tackle Shop) and Mike Runyon (from Sand Springs Resort) guide on the Niangua.

[FishinCricket]

Dale Williams (from Weavers Tackle Shop) and Mike Runyon (from Sand Springs Resort) guide on the Niangua.

Thank you for the valuable info... I will touch bases with these guys and probably pay for a guide service to see what they do and how they do it....

Don't suppose you are friends with these guys, are you?

[Bman]

CC, Stop by Larry's and ask for Ed Ellersick. Ed used to guide years ago and has been down there in the fishing biz a LONG time.

Tell him Bruce reffered ya.

[fishinwrench]

CC, Don't take this the wrong way......but, I can think of no better way to make a bunch of the locals and quite a few of the "regulars" hate your guts. Especially if you are seen coaching a group of 3 or more "drifting bleeding minnows" around the access points.

Also keep in mind that you should be in as good (or better) physical condition than those you are guiding, and just as good at water rescue and first aid...as you are at knowing where some fish hang out.

I'm certainly not knockin' your desire to do a little "part time guiding"... just pointing out that it takes a little more than putting folks on fish to maintain a decent reputation and ensure the safety of your clients.

[FishinCricket]

CC, Don't take this the wrong way......but, I can think of no better way to make a bunch of the locals and quite a few of the "regulars" hate your guts. Especially if you are seen coaching a group of 3 or more "drifting bleeding minnows" around the access points.

Also keep in mind that you should be in as good (or better) physical condition than those you are guiding, and just as good at water rescue and first aid...as you are at knowing where some fish hang out.

I'm certainly not knockin' your desire to do a little "part time guiding"... just pointing out that it takes a little more than putting folks on fish to maintain a decent reputation and ensure the safety of your clients.

Thank you so much for the advice, trust me I appreciate all the advice I can get....

One of the main reasons that I would like to be a "part time guide" is that I am a full time river rat, conservationist, and outdoorsman. I may be young but I have logged thousands of miles and hundreds of nights on these ozarks rivers alone in a 17 ft canoe or with a friend in the John Boat. Not only have I spent time on the local rivers, but also on the biger rivers like the lower Current.

Another reason for my desire to "guide" people on this river is to point people in the right direction when handling fish and fishing in general. I release all but a few "stockers" and I ALWAYS release larger fish after a picture. I believe in leaving a river for my great grandkids to fish.

But listen to me all the sudden, I sound like I am campaigning. Thanks again for the advice, I know how some of the locals can be, that's why I was asking around for advice in the more worldy and knowledgable groups I know (like this forum).