Unlicensed Guides On Table Rock

[Jason Essary]

There is a reason for the license, if someone doesnt take the time to get it, then i would not want to be on-board. Just like having a license to do construction.

Some people are just dont get it, such a wonderful forum and as in life, a very small percentage mess things up for all the others that care about something.

Thanks to Bill, Eric, Don and all the others that post to help out the little guys. Dont let the trolls get under your skin, the rest of us can never repay the help and advise.

[CaptainJoe]

I have asked Phil to post two articles which appeared in Bass Times earlier this year. For some reason, the board will not let me upload the articles. I think the articles are very self-explanatory and summarize this topic very well.

In addition to all of the applications, application fees, documentation, fingerprinting in St. Louis, and later testing in St. Louis (Rules of the Road and General Deck), after being licensed, you must maintain your Red Cross certification in CPR and First Aid, possess a Transportation Workers Indentification Card issued by Homeland Security and paid for by the guide, be enrolled in a random drug testing program, and it is a good idea to be commercially insured.

Captain Joe

U. S. Merchant Marine Officer License # 1510831 issued by the U. S. Coast Guard

[FRENZEL]

So who are the ones registering all these complaints to the Coast Guard? The guides WITH licenses?

I betcha the Coast Guard has a special Unlicensed White River Guide detachment that is putting in some serious overtime to get this "rash" under control.

Wow .. maybe we should just let any numbnutz take people out for hire?. It would be really funny if one of these unlicensed and unisured guides took you out and god forbid had an accident. No insurance will cover what % of your medical bills? Most of the licensed guides carry at least $1,000,000 in coverage. All licensed guides are first aid and cpr certified. They also take drug tests and have put a lot of time and energy into acquiring the certification. Do you honestly think that this would not be a problem?

[rps]

In a kinder and gentler time, my father took me fishing in Canada. I was so young I had hair on my head, but not elsewhere. A native guide by the name of Charlie Fisher ran the boat and took us to lake locations. We caught good fish. Years later we still fished with Charlie, but things changed. Now the boat had equipment we probably should have had the first time. Life preservers were a big thing. (This was before I wore a flotation device at all times.)

There is a vast difference between that time and place and now on TR, Stockton, Bull, etc. The people who fish are different; the people who sue are different; and the ones who want to take money (not make money) are different. Here and now, the only rational choice is licensed, conscientious guides. Support your local licensed guides. (Is that a bumper sticker in the making?)

BTW, the only response to a troll is to ignore them. Like all bullies, all they want is a reaction. Pathetic.

[ozark trout fisher]

I've got a question for ya'll... I've considered the possibility of, in a few years doing some part time guiding on a few area streams for smallies and trout (not the White River, or any other impounded stream). I would be running the trips out of a drift boat (unmotorized), and I was told by the MDC that I wouldn't need any license whatsoever.

Is this true?

[duckydoty]

That is true but you can not guide out of National Scenic Riverways without the proper permits and you can not guide on MDC land.

[ozark trout fisher]

That is true but you can not guide out of National Scenic Riverways without the proper permits and you can not guide on MDC land.

I was told by the MDC that I could pretty much take clients wherever I wanted to on MDC land, but we couldn't actually exchange money there. For example, we could put in, and take out at a public access, but we would have to move off it to actually settle up.

I am aware that you need to have proper permits to guide in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways... Does anyone know how hard those permits are to come by? Sorry, I know this is kinda off topic.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Its true, I have nothing constructive to add. The original post in this thread, I found amusing (again), and found it hard to resist to teasing all you tough-jobber types.

And so, after many years of being on professional hiatus from the guide business, I want everyone to know that I am back and open for business.

I WILL MEET OR BEAT ANY GUIDES DAILY RATES (licensed or unlicensed) by 50%, and TAG boats are FREE every Wednesday from 4-7p.m. And my personal guarantee . . . if you don't bag at least 20 lbs on a trip, I will give you the sonar off my boat.

Sincerely,

Paul Dallas

Fleet Admiral

SJRAC - Strategic James River Arm Command, Nixa Region

by authority of the US Coast Guard and the Dept. of Homeland Security

fully licensed but woefully under-insured

[denjac]

Thats bold talk for a one eyed fat man!!!

[Mike T]

How about your phone #