Move to Branson? Questions.

[BilletHead]

3 hours ago, Travis Swift said:

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

                Proud to call you a friend buddy! 

[snagged in outlet 3]

57 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

Finding an affordable place in Branson right now is almost impossible. 

THIS!!!!

[Terrierman]

I lived in Spokane then Ozark and worked in and around Branson for about the last 20 years before I retired.  No way would I want to actually live in or really close to Branson.  I got so tired of driving around down there in town and to the places we took care of it was incredible.  I wouldn't even go there for probably the first three years after laying it down.

To me it would be like living on The Strip at Lake of the Ozarks.

Doing the guide thing might be for you, I really don't know.  If you make that plunge, I wish you the very best.  The only thing I will suggest from my guided trips experience is provide absolute top shelf equipment.  Nice big safe boat, always clean and ready to go.  The best fishing equipment and plenty of it.  Always on time is a given.  But not to all sadly.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[ness]

21 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

I lived in Spokane and worked in and around Branson for abou

Anybody know how to contact our beloved moderator? He may be in danger 😀

[Terrierman]

14 minutes ago, ness said:

Anybody know how to contact our beloved moderator? He may be in danger 😀

I have serious fumble fingers after the carpal tunnel surgery.

[Travis Swift]

1 hour ago, Phil Lilley said:

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.

I understand all of that Sir and I know your trying to watch out for me.  I certainly would not fish on guide trips and have thought about all of that. There's a whole nother world past rockaway that can be played in when not guiding.  Please visit with Duane when you see him, he was gracious enough to give me an hour of his time this week for some very personal questions as I researched and I believe he knows what kind of individual I am and what I would be like.  I'm in customer service now and I understand when someone hires you they are also hiring anyone that you are affiliated with from the rods you use, the brand boat to the resort that recommended you etc.  So if you get a chance please visit with Mr. Doty a spell.  We aren't taking this decision lightly at all.  Nor are we rushing it. Appreciate you very much Phil

[ColdWaterFshr]

2 hours ago, Travis Swift said:

I understand all of that Sir and I know your trying to watch out for me.  I certainly would not fish on guide trips and have thought about all of that. There's a whole nother world past rockaway that can be played in when not guiding.  Please visit with Duane when you see him, he was gracious enough to give me an hour of his time this week for some very personal questions as I researched and I believe he knows what kind of individual I am and what I would be like.  I'm in customer service now and I understand when someone hires you they are also hiring anyone that you are affiliated with from the rods you use, the brand boat to the resort that recommended you etc.  So if you get a chance please visit with Mr. Doty a spell.  We aren't taking this decision lightly at all.  Nor are we rushing it. Appreciate you very much Phil

Duane was outstanding a couple months ago for me and my brothers.  We didn’t necessarily slay ‘em, but I don’t think anyone was that day.  He worked his butt off but made it look easy, and gave us the best possible chances….’the definition of what a guide should be.  Gold standard, really.  All of the things mentioned here and then some. Very patient and handled and adapted to my special needs younger brother incredibly well.  Frank went home giggling and happy.  So did I.

 

[Phil Lilley]

Duane would be THE person to take advice from on this subject.  He's one of the best by far, here or anywhere else.

[Travis Swift]

52 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

Duane would be THE person to take advice from on this subject.  He's one of the best by far, here or anywhere else.

That's why I seeked him out. Figured you might as well ask the best and he did not disappoint with his honesty. 

[ness]

I've hired guides (always fly fishing) on several occasions and had great experiences and just ok experiences. None were ever bad though. I started to type a bunch of it out but decided against it because it was going to be too long.

I don't have and earth shattering insight, but if you'd like to chat with somebody on the customer side of things, PM me.