Through the busy season last year it may not have been clear how much had changed for me and my business.  I obtained my OUPV 6 pack license through the Coast Guard, which allows me to operate a vessel with up to 6 passengers on the ocean.  Later in the year I passed my Tidewater Guides license exam through the state of Maine, which allows me to guide clients on the ocean, whether in a boat (combined with my OUPV license) or from shore.  This was a no brainer for me, but wasn’t an easy task.  There was a 9 week course that I took that was a Coast Guard approved course and at the end we had to pass four separate tests to move forward to even apply for the license.  Even with passing the course there were many other requirements that I needed to fulfill, which took the longest time due to the waiting for verification.  Even with all of that I wouldn’t have changed a thing as good things always come to those that wait, but even more importantly great things come to those that want it and work hard toward their goals.

Early morning ride to the fishing grounds

Putting in the work and rod time

For the duration of my guiding career I have come to understand that you may have the best website or most followers on social media, but if you do not have great relationships with other guides, outfitters and lodges then you will never truly scratch the surface of your potential.  In the circle of guides that I work with as soon as one of us gets a request that we cannot fill ourselves we are on the phone with this group making sure that the client gets the trip that they want.  We also let the client know that in the future we can fill any request based on this network that we have.  All of this starts with either getting into a boat with another guide and getting to know them and realizing that we have so much in common or meeting an acquaintance through social media at a fly tying event.  With that as a beginning, trust is built and relationships flourish over time.

Double striped bass!

First fish of that day!

The specific meeting at the fly tying event that I referenced was with Kevin Stone of Old Oak Outfitters.  We had been following each other on social media for a while, but had never met in person until a fly tying event at Oxbow Brewing.  Of course the topic of guiding came up and Kevin asked me if I had ever thought of obtaining my Captain’s license to guide on the ocean.  Kevin offered to help me in obtaining my Captain’s license so that he could have another guide help him charter his boat when he couldn’t.  I was already successful guiding on freshwater and was putting on a lot of miles traveling to different spots to guide my clients so this was the perfect place and time.  We all like the idea of fishing for fish in our backyard and Casco Bay is just that for me.  Of course I am very careful in planning my business moves so it took a few more meetings with Kevin before we pulled the trigger.  These opportunities do not come along often so when you get the chance to work with someone with more expertise than you one should listen and learn.  I try to surround myself with others that have the same drive and ambition as me so working with someone such as Kevin pushes me even harder than before. Many of the guides in our circle are always willing to help those guides just starting out with some advice, but in the end you will only get out of something what you put into it.  If you fail to work hard and stay driven then don’t expect to be successful.  If you live, breath and dream your goals and stay true to what you want only good things will come.

Views are refreshing

Captain Kevin Stone

This upcoming year will be an exciting one for sure so don’t wait to give us a call to book your next trip.  Whether freshwater or saltwater we can get you the trip that you want.  This will be the first full year with my new boat that I had detailed for the last report so early spring fishing will be much more exciting and more comfortable.  I didn’t pick the boat up until early June last year so I will be hitting the water hard during the early season.  Kevin also has a new boat on the way, but I will let him introduce that at the appropriate time.  With more options and area to guide this is only the beginning of big things to come!