As COVID-19 precautions slowly scale back, Sea to Sky fishing guides are wondering how they can safely operate.
While outdoor businesses like fishing and hunting were deemed essential services by the province, it was as food and agricultural service providers, so guiding is not included, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development public affairs officer Dawn Makarowski.
While not technically shut down, guides are wary of ramping up their efforts.
Clint Goyette of Squamish-based Valley Fishing Guides Ltd. is pessimistic about operating this summer with the bulk of his business coming from the U.S.
"We'll have to see what happens with the summer. I don't believe that we're going to have, unfortunately, a summer in the region that's going to bring enough people to the region to bring back the guide fishing," he said.
Goyette said the nature of the guiding business makes it infeasible to transition online.
"We're paid for our information and training in-person," he said. "We book trips based on people coming to the region.
"If there's no people, there's no fishing tour to be had."
While there has been federal and provincial support announced for businesses in myriad sectors, Goyette said the structure of guiding businesses means they're not covered.
"We don't have paycheques, per se. It's paid through dividends or subcontracting to assistant guides," he said. "If you don't have employees, you don't qualify as a business that needs money.
"We fall through the cracks entirely."
Meanwhile, Brad Knowles of Pemberton Fish Finder, which operates as far south as Squamish, said he may yet host some tours this summer, but they would look far different from those in prior years. With the borders closed and non-essential travel discouraged, Knowles is considering doing the previously unthinkable: focusing on local anglers.
"If people are going to be fishing, from Vancouver, we're going to keep them as close to Squamish, in that area, as a day trip will allow," he said in late April. "In the past, it's kind of been a no-no, but these are troubled times. People still need to be outside and recreate, and I'm pretty firm with telling clients that if they see me show up in an area that the spot is my spot and they need to move on."
Other adjustments would include meeting on site instead of providing transportation and using individual pleasure crafts to ensure that all members of the party maintain distance.
Knowles said he and his guides were coming off a strong winter of ice fishing and appreciated a bit of a shoulder-season break, but with the weather improving, there's an itch to hit the water again. That said, as a father of four, he is adamant that he won't resume if it's not safe.
In his time fishing on the rivers for pleasure, Knowles has seen more people out than in past years, though he's also seen an increased Conservation Officer Service presence to ensure anglers are following regulations.
"As long as everybody's following the rules and regulations, there's a healthy population of fish for everyone to enjoy," he said, noting the Sea to Sky has several stocked lakes in case anyone is looking to catch their dinner.
