Writting a small business plan

[natetreat]

Ill be fishing everyday this year, so stonechrome is gonna have some friendly competition for the steelhead master this year.

I don't even keep track, so you guys have at it. A fish is a fish, and I just like catching them. More is better, but I always catch more . Keeping them is expensive though, I have to get about $200 in new catch cards every year.

[Steelheadin360]

I have to get about $200 in new catch cards every year.

Holy smokes!

[primetime]

Start a thread of the fish you catch. I went with FF because he had the proof of being a successful fisherman (lots of chrome fish). At least that is what sold me.

[natetreat]

I know. I don't post a lot of pictures of fish because I work a lot, and it takes time. My clients always take their pictures with them too, but like I said, I don't need to brag. Ask the guys that have been out with me, and they'll let you know that I take care of my clients. But if you insist, I'll put a few more fish pictures up for you.

[natetreat]

I have to get about $200 in new catch cards every year.

Holy smokes!

Yea, they're like 15 bucks a piece! With 4-6 fish limits, when the fishing is hot I go through pretty quick. There are only 30 steelhead spots and 25 salmon spots, so it's not as many fish as you'd think.

[RiverChromeGS]

Start a thread of the fish you catch. I went with FF because he had the proof of being a successful fisherman (lots of chrome fish). At least that is what sold me.

Thats kinda how i see it too. If your posting pics, then at least people know right now you are catching fish, more incentive to book a trip if they know and see proof of you catching fish

Also, kinda funny you mentioned chrome haha cause that beast of a fish you got this year on the nooch wasnt exactly chrome! Haha id rather have a monster dark one than a little chromer though! And we got other chromers but the second you mentioned chrome i just thought of that huge red demon that fought for like 25 minutes. Haha good times.

[primetime]

I know. I don't post a lot of pictures of fish because I work a lot, and it takes time. My clients always take their pictures with them too, but like I said, I don't need to brag. Ask the guys that have been out with me, and they'll let you know that I take care of my clients. But if you insist, I'll put a few more fish pictures up for you.

I didn't mean to necessarily direct this towards you. Nor, disrespect you and your business. I'm sure you do well. I just know there are a lot of so so guides out their and Danny made it easy for me to book with him. He showed the proof of being successful. He didn't just say it. This was directed at steelheading360. He has no clients and I'm sure very few referals. Posting pictures of his success would greatly improve his business.

[primetime]

Start a thread of the fish you catch. I went with FF because he had the proof of being a successful fisherman (lots of chrome fish). At least that is what sold me.

Thats kinda how i see it too. If your posting pics, then at least people know right now you are catching fish, more incentive to book a trip if they know and see proof of you catching fish

Also, kinda funny you mentioned chrome haha cause that beast of a fish you got this year on the nooch wasnt exactly chrome! Haha id rather have a monster dark one than a little chromer though! And we got other chromers but the second you mentioned chrome i just thought of that huge red demon that fought for like 25 minutes. Haha good times.

Your right doesn't have to be chrome. I love the big dark steel too. They fight like crazy. You need to get off Vancouver Island so we can fish!!

[RiverChromeGS]

Im just spending my time up here during the plague of stinky pinkies down there. Ha! When the chinook and coho are in, ill be back at it! Saving a prime chinook date for ya

[Steelheadin360]

I didn't mean to necessarily direct this towards you. Nor, disrespect you and your business. I'm sure you do well. I just know there are a lot of so so guides out their and Danny made it easy for me to book with him. He showed the proof of being successful. He didn't just say it. This was directed at steelheading360. He has no clients and I'm sure very few referals. Posting pictures of his success would greatly improve his business.

Well considering i dont even have my permits yet i would have to say i hope i dont have any clients. I post reports here and there if you browse around in there. Do i post pictures everytime i catch a fish? no. you wanna see that add me on fb.

[dutchman2858]

Ref pics of fish by guides: When I had website, rack cards and brochures made up for my Kodiak Charter business I was careful to show nice representative fish in the pics. Many guys would post their pics of their BEST halibut or daily catch from the last 10 years or so. This can lead to disappointed clients when THEY don't get a 200 pounder. I caught them each season, but NOT each trip and didn't want to mislead prospective clients. Biggest halibut I ever had to the boat was a beautiful 350-400 female monster...we released her so only pics are in the water.

I never promised fish---I promised them a good time, opportunity to catch fish, and the absolute best effort I could provide that day. Any fisherman or charter operator who claims they have never gotten skunked for the species they are targeting is either a liar, or hasn't fished much!

Hope all the charter guys have a good season, and good luck, 360, getting your paperwork together!

[Steelheadin360]

Ref pics of fish by guides: When I had website, rack cards and brochures made up for my Kodiak Charter business I was careful to show nice representative fish in the pics. Many guys would post their pics of their BEST halibut or daily catch from the last 10 years or so. This can lead to disappointed clients when THEY don't get a 200 pounder. I caught them each season, but NOT each trip and didn't want to mislead prospective clients. Biggest halibut I ever had to the boat was a beautiful 350-400 female monster...we released her so only pics are in the water.

I never promised fish---I promised them a good time, opportunity to catch fish, and the absolute best effort I could provide that day. Any fisherman or charter operator who claims they have never gotten skunked for the species they are targeting is either a liar, or hasn't fished much!

Hope all the charter guys have a good season, and good luck, 360, getting your paperwork together!

Good words Dutchman, and thank you.

[racfish]

Im jealos. A job thats interesting and fun. What a lifes dream that is to me. My love would be fishing or cooking. Ive been looking into purchasing or renting a commercial kitchen to sell the products I make. My question to myself is . How much fun will I have if it became a business and not a hobby.Hobbies are fun but the work I do using the freshest of everything is a summer job. Im canning in the dead of heat summer. I give up alot of fishing to pursue my canning.
I wish you the best of your new business.I work so I can pay my bills. I dont enjoy what I do. Im 60 yo and have a very uncertain future in the field Im into.

[dutchman2858]

Im jealos. A job thats interesting and fun. What a lifes dream that is to me. My love would be fishing or cooking. Ive been looking into purchasing or renting a commercial kitchen to sell the products I make. My question to myself is . How much fun will I have if it became a business and not a hobby.Hobbies are fun but the work I do using the freshest of everything is a summer job. Im canning in the dead of heat summer. I give up alot of fishing to pursue my canning.
I wish you the best of your new business.I work so I can pay my bills. I dont enjoy what I do. Im 60 yo and have a very uncertain future in the field Im into.

Racfish: Such is life, I'm afraid! I'm 65 and had the absolute pleasure of being an Alaska Fish and Wildlife Trooper for over 20 years. After retirement I bought a charter boat and ran sport fish and whale watching tours out of Kodiak for 11 years. Note: your concerns of turning a hobby or avocation into a "vocation" are spot on. After running the boat 5-7 days a week, from 6AM and getting home after 7PM after cleaning the boat (sometimes running evening charters which meant 1-2 AM home arrival time), and dealing with clients, fish, maintenance, fish processors, reporting requirements, etc. the last thing I wanted to do on my days off was fish for fun! It would be late Sept or Oct before I went out for fun/food fishing.

That said, it was great fun meeting people and putting them on fish. You get to write off some neat toys for the boat and you are outside (sometimes in some pretty miserable weather ) most days. My wife had her own real estate company for awhile and stated unequivocally that you never work harder than if you start your own small business! Good luck, with whatever you decide to do.

[Dustin07]

you guys... just look at the Daryl and Dad's reports for Chelan Mak's. They are always catching fish. sometimes you see sunshine behind the, sometimes you see snow behind them. sometimes you see a huge lunker, sometimes a huge stringer of smaller keepers. But they always update with a photo of their efforts and the very very happy clients.

I dont think posting pictures, as a guide is bragging at all. Its marketing! If you're so busy with clients that you dont need any further marketing then more power to you... but the guys who need more clients... dudes.. market yourselves. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WALakes reports, blog. update people with what's going on. what's in right now, show us pics of the types of fish that you are getting clients on so they can drool and make the decision to come join you for some $$!!

Good luck guys, from the posts I see from you on here I think you're all standup dudes.

[RiverChromeGS]

you guys... just look at the Daryl and Dad's reports for Chelan Mak's. They are always catching fish. sometimes you see sunshine behind the, sometimes you see snow behind them. sometimes you see a huge lunker, sometimes a huge stringer of smaller keepers. But they always update with a photo of their efforts and the very very happy clients.

I dont think posting pictures, as a guide is bragging at all. Its marketing! If you're so busy with clients that you dont need any further marketing then more power to you... but the guys who need more clients... dudes.. market yourselves. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WALakes reports, blog. update people with what's going on. what's in right now, show us pics of the types of fish that you are getting clients on so they can drool and make the decision to come join you for some $$!!

Good luck guys, from the posts I see from you on here I think you're all standup dudes.

Agreed. Ive tried to explain that to the haters who say Im showing off too much with pictures on walakes, but last year was my first year guiding and without all the advertising on facebook and ESPECIALLY on Walakes, i wouldnt of had any clients at all. Over half of my clients would start their emails to me with "i see youve been killing the fish on walakes" .So they can say whatever they want! At least theres some people out there like you that understand the purpose!

[Dustin07]

I dont know how anyone could complain about seeing more fish pr0n.

[Steelheadin360]

you guys... just look at the Daryl and Dad's reports for Chelan Mak's. They are always catching fish. sometimes you see sunshine behind the, sometimes you see snow behind them. sometimes you see a huge lunker, sometimes a huge stringer of smaller keepers. But they always update with a photo of their efforts and the very very happy clients.

I dont think posting pictures, as a guide is bragging at all. Its marketing! If you're so busy with clients that you dont need any further marketing then more power to you... but the guys who need more clients... dudes.. market yourselves. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WALakes reports, blog. update people with what's going on. what's in right now, show us pics of the types of fish that you are getting clients on so they can drool and make the decision to come join you for some $$!!

Good luck guys, from the posts I see from you on here I think you're all standup dudes.

Haterz gon' hate.

If people dont see that you catch fish then why would they wanna book a trip with you?

[fear_no_fish]

I dont know how anyone could complain about seeing more fish pr0n.

[Mike Carey]

you guys... just look at the Daryl and Dad's reports for Chelan Mak's. They are always catching fish. sometimes you see sunshine behind the, sometimes you see snow behind them. sometimes you see a huge lunker, sometimes a huge stringer of smaller keepers. But they always update with a photo of their efforts and the very very happy clients.

I dont think posting pictures, as a guide is bragging at all. Its marketing! If you're so busy with clients that you dont need any further marketing then more power to you... but the guys who need more clients... dudes.. market yourselves. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WALakes reports, blog. update people with what's going on. what's in right now, show us pics of the types of fish that you are getting clients on so they can drool and make the decision to come join you for some $$!!

Good luck guys, from the posts I see from you on here I think you're all standup dudes.

Agreed. Ive tried to explain that to the haters who say Im showing off too much with pictures on walakes, but last year was my first year guiding and without all the advertising on facebook and ESPECIALLY on Walakes, i wouldnt of had any clients at all. Over half of my clients would start their emails to me with "i see youve been killing the fish on walakes" .So they can say whatever they want! At least theres some people out there like you that understand the purpose!

I'm very glad to hear that Danny. Aaron and I wish we could get more guides to see how effective it is, because we get pretty much the same feedback from other guides that are sponsors on the site. For some reason they'd rather pay thousands of dollars for fancy print ads. I'll never understand it.