Weekend or Weekday? I
guide on weekdays and weekends.If weekends work best for you, don’t
hesitate to book weekend outings. I know plenty of good water off the
beaten path.
Trip Planning When
you book your outing we’ll make a general plan. A few days before
your outing, we’ll talk by phone to firm up details.
If you
want to fish a specific stream, I’m good with that (unless fishing
conditions break poorly for that water). Generally, it’s to your
advantage if we wait to select a specific water until the day of the
outing. That gives us the flexibility to adjust to the conditions at
hand. And it lets us take advantage of what I’ve seen and learned
recently. Most days we make several stops and fish more than one
stream.
Fishing Gear Most
anglers use their own rods and reels, but you’re welcome to fish my
outfits. In the Driftless I primarily fish 4-weight rods, but most
3-weight to 5- weight rods are suitable.
I
furnish all terminal tackle, including flies, leaders/tippets, and
strike indicators. Many of my most productive flies for the Driftless
are my own patterns or significant variations, but feel free to tote
and try any of your own flies or rigs.
Wading Gear Bring
your own wading gear. I suggest chest waders or waist-high wading
pants, as hip boots are easily ‘breached’ if you sink into soft
bottom. In warm weather I often wet wade (in wading boots with good
foot support and flats-style pants tucked into neoprene wading
socks).
Clothing Bring
a raincoat that can double as a windbreaker in cool weather. I
suggest long-sleeve shirts/jackets in muted tones and a hat that
shades your face, neck and ears.
Sunglasses Bring
and wear polarized sunglasses. They greatly enhance your ability to
see fish and bottom contours. And they shield your eyes while
fly-casting.
Licenses Before
we meet you should purchase a current Wisconsin fishing license and
the Inland Trout
Stamp. Wisconsin licenses can be purchased online or from many
business outlets. If you buy your license at a business, ask for a
copy of the Wisconsin TroutFishing
Regulations and Guide, a handy reference that
maps all trout streams by regulation category.
Food and Beverages Anglers
furnish their own food and drink (not padding my guiding fee with
food charges helps keep my guiding rates extremely affordable).
Keeping meals quick and simple also keeps us on the water during
prime fishing times.
Lodging/Camping/Dining
A wide variety of
accommodations are available throughout the Driftless. I’m happy to
suggest motels, B&B’s, rental cabins, group accommodations with
cooking/ meeting facilities, campgrounds, and eating options.
Guided
Trip Deposits
A
deposit of $50 is required to reserve each guiding date for you or
your group. Mail the deposit check or money order, payable to Rich
Osthoff, at the address below. Since I don’t currently accept credit
cards, I may waive the deposit requirement if a date is booked on
short notice.
Payment Payment
in full by cash or check, is due at end of fishing. Sorry, I do not
currently accept credit cards.
Cancellation/Refund
Policy If
you cancel a date, I will refund or credit your deposit if I’m able
to book your original date with another angler, so please let me know
quickly if a conflict develops for you.
Anglers
who elect to cancel at any time for any reason do not incur any
charges beyond the $50 deposit required to hold each date.
If
the angler cancels and I do not book another angler for that date, I
reserve the right to retain the $50 deposit (this policy is primarily
intended to discourage short-notice cancellations due to moderately
inclement weather). If I’ve already traveled to the meeting area or
I’ve stayed overnight to meet an angler, then I’ve already
invested time and incurred expenses, and I reserve the right to
retain the deposit. In the event that you and I travel to the area
and discover that overnight or early-morning rains have muddied most
streams, our best option is to check several streams for fishable
water (if we do not find fishable water, the anglers is not charged
anything beyond the deposit). I’ve seen just this scenario play out
great for anglers when we suddenly hit upon a fishable stream where
trout are gorging in response to rain.
If
it is apparent a day or two in advance that weather/water conditions
are likely to be poor, then it’s best to touch base before
you or I travel to the meeting area. We’ll make a mutual decision
whether to fish, cancel and refund your deposit, or schedule a
different date.
If I
cancel a date (extremely rare), I’ll notify you as far in advance
as possible and I’ll refund your deposit (or apply your deposit to
a different date, if you prefer).
Keep
in mind that some rain and turbidity often make
for aggressive trout and great fishing in the Driftless. So, don’t
let a moderately rainy forecast keep you home, especially if you’ve
booked a multi-day trip. Even when the region takes a real gully
washer, small headwaters drop and clear quickly, and some streams
usually escape the brunt of the storm.
For Reservations and Information
contact:
Rich Osthoff
N6868 Sandstone Drive
Mauston, WI 53948
Home Phone: (608)
847-5192 Cell Phone: (608)
547-9075
