Fly Fishing School & Guide Service

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Startup Cost
$20,000-$85,000
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time to Profit
12-24 months
Profit Potential
$70,000-$310,000/year

Overview

Fly fishing schools teach casting, fly selection, stream reading, and angling techniques through instruction and guided trips on quality waters.

With fly fishing experiencing renaissance and 7+ million participants, schools generate revenue of $110,000-$360,000 with 60-75% margins on instruction and guiding.

Services include fly casting instruction, guided fishing trips, destination fishing packages, women's fly fishing programs, youth camps, and fly tying classes.

Pricing typically $350-$600 per person per day for guided fishing.

Success factors include access to quality fisheries, expert instruction and guide skills, targeting destination fishing tourism, combining instruction with guiding, and building reputation in fly fishing community.

Required Skills

  • Expert fly fishing
  • Casting instruction
  • Entomology and fly selection
  • River guiding
  • Customer service
  • Local water knowledge

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High margins on guiding/instruction
  • Passionate fly fishing community
  • Destination tourism
  • Repeat clients
  • Lifestyle business

Cons

  • Seasonal fishing seasons
  • Water access and permits
  • Weather dependent
  • Building reputation
  • Competition in destinations

How to Get Started

  1. Develop expert fly fishing skills
  2. Secure water access/permits
  3. Get guiding insurance
  4. Create instruction curriculum
  5. Partner with lodges
  6. Market to fly fishers
  7. Build reputation in community

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