I’ve mentioned before that there’s a lot to get done in order to start up a new fishing guide business. Ironically, extra tackle and fishing equipment is one of the last things that I will end up buying. It helps that I’ve been stockpiling those things for years now though. If you haven’t been following me on Facebook, here’s a list of what’s been going on. I’m mentioning brands and companies here to give shout outs to products that I’m trying and to local businesses that do good work. I’ve been putting away money to get started so everything here is coming out of my pocket. I’m not sponsored by anyone (yet).
New Canvas for the Boat. The old top kept me warm and dry for quite a while but the plastic windows were starting to get cloudy and crack and the old fabric had started to fade and leak. The new canvas is on it looks great and will provide awesome protection during springer season. Dave and his crew at Superior Design Top Shop in Longview did an awesome job!
New Seats. The benches are now gone and I’m waiting for delivery of the new Tempress Probax seats. These should provide a nice level of comfort for everyone on board.
New Seat Boxes. I have a whole set of custom boxes on the way. These will not only be sturdy and provide lots of storage for life jackets and other essentials, they will also provide cup holders for their occupants. As a fan of hot beverages on the water, these are going to be an essential!
Rod Stations. The new rod stations from Pro Angler Products are in and waiting installation. These things look awesome and hook onto my existing fish fighter rail system. They’ll help keep everything organized when the boat is full of people. They also have rounded edges so hopefully they’ll avoid any accidents or damage to lines.
Flooring. The old vinyl on the floors was starting to show it’s age so it’s time for a replacement. I’ll probably post a video of the installation process once it comes in.
New Wrap. What guide boat doesn’t have an awesome looking wrap now days? I’ve got Dillon and his team at Coho Design in Tillamook working on and I can’t wait to see what it looks like.
Insurance. Insurance is one of those things you don’t see and you don’t think about until you need it. Oregon now requires $500,000 of insurance for guides. I’m working with agents to try to get the best deal so that once the licensing is here I can just send in the paperwork and be ready to go.
Safety Equipment. Ok, so this is a pretty broad category. The new first aid kit and Type I lifejackets are in. I still have a few additional items to pick up, including fresh flares and strobe lights for the lifejackets.
Licensing Update
As of today, if the averages provided by MM-SEAS hold true, my coast guard license should be approved between 6 and 11 days from now. The next step after that will be to finalize insurance and submit my paperwork to the Oregon State Marine Board. My understanding is that they tend to run a week or two once they receive everything. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there is not any disruption at the Coast Guard that slows down my licensing. I cannot book a trip until the Oregon State Marine Board gives the ok. They are the ones that make sure guides have the correct insurance and qualifications for the type of guiding they are offering. They also maintain a list of licensed guides. You should always check to see if your guide is listed there, even if you see stickers on the boat since there have been cases of using counterfeit stickers. To see what could happen if a guide isn’t licensed, check out this news release from ODFW
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