Move to Branson? Questions.

[Travis Swift]

Been coming to Branson and Taneycomo multiple times a year for over 40 years.  Seriously considering packing the family up and leaving our roots to start a new life there. I would pursue a childhood dream of guiding on Taney only. I've started doing alot of research and have had a great conversation with the best guide there and he was so generous with info. Anyway for anyone that lives there or has made this move are there any regrets? Did living there ruin the love of being there you had before etc? 

Thanks

Travis 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Travis Swift said:

Been coming to Branson and Taneycomo multiple times a year for over 40 years.  Seriously considering packing the family up and leaving our roots to start a new life there. I would pursue a childhood dream of guiding on Taney only. I've started doing alot of research and have had a great conversation with the best guide there and he was so generous with info. Anyway for anyone that lives there or has made this move are there any regrets? Did living there ruin the love of being there you had before etc? 

Thanks

Travis 

Where do you live now?  If you don't mind.  Just trying to get an idea of where you're coming from.   It's really difficult to buy anything down right now.  I never could get a house that I even thought about buying.  They all sold within a day or two.  

[Travis Swift]

I live in a small town outside of Wichita Kansas. If we can't get in Branson itself we're willing to venture out aways as long as it's not to far

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Do it. My ole lady is a realtor if you need any help. 

[netboy]

I like to fish too much so I would never consider being a guide.😁

[Phil Lilley]

Why do you want to be a fishing guide?

[gotmuddy]

I have not done it but I try to keep hobbies away from work or the hobbies just become work. 

[Travis Swift]

5 hours ago, Phil Lilley said:

Why do you want to be a fishing guide?

A)Taney is my favorite place in the entire world

B)I love trout fishing because they can be caught so many different ways.  Drifting like your walleye fishing, jerkbaits like your bass fishing, baitfishing like your catfishing, flyfishing the list goes on and on.  You would never get tired of different ways to fish there.  However I do realize you have to adjust based on clients needs.  

C)I love people, I love families and I love kids.  Why not introduce them to the most wonderful place in the world and help give them a life long memory that they will talk about forever.  You have a real chance of touching someone and making a lifelong memory/friendship in those few hours.  I love to make people as happy as possible.

D)Other than my wife and daughter and my faith there is nothing in the world I love or is more important to me than fishing and Lake Taneycomo and it would be great to make a living on her and help promote and protect her resources.  

E)I have dreamed of this since I was 10 years old setting on Sun Valleys Dock all those years ago.  

F)Have you ever seen Duane Doty not smiling or happy?  I have looked up to and admired that guy for a lot of years!  Everyone in life should be that happy.  

I could list more but these are the principals ones

[Travis Swift]

.

[Phil Lilley]

C. would be the answer I was looking for.  You have to like people.  You have to be super patient with giving the same instructions a dozen times.  You have to be ok with failure.

Most guides I see here do not fish unless it's to figure out the bite and then lay the rod down.  Some fish... but we've had people come back and say, "Well we enjoyed watching  "Joe"  catch fish..."  And what happens if the guide hooks the big fish ahead of the client?  I've often wondered that...

Right now there is more demand for guides on Taney than guides.  You could guide 2, or even 3 times a day.  I'm not sure how long this will last though.  Hiring a fishing guide is a luxury and it seems like people have a lot of disposable income.

There are people guiding here who live as far away as Harrison and Springfield working here.  Finding an affordable place in Branson right now is almost impossible.  Your best bet is to live in the bigger markets and commute unless you happen to find something down here.