TL;DR: You don’t need experience, strength, or special gear to catch a sturgeon with me. In this post I explain how I coach complete beginners – kids, parents, grandparents – from that first nervous bite to confidently landing a fish they’ll talk about for years.
“I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” Is Exactly Who I Guide
If you’ve never held a fishing rod in your life, you’re my kind of guest.
Almost every day on the river I hear the same thing: “What if I mess it up?” My answer is simple: that’s my job to worry about, not yours. Your job is to show up, be curious, and let me walk you through it.
I’ve guided everyone from kids who can barely see over the gunwale to grandparents who thought their fishing days were behind them. My approach is the same: calm, step-by-step coaching, no ego, and no pressure.
Step One: Making You Comfortable on the Boat
Before we even talk about sturgeon, I focus on getting you comfortable:
- We go over safety calmly – lifejackets, moving around the boat, what to expect when we’re anchored.
- I explain the plan for the day in plain language – no jargon, no “guide speak.”
- We match the experience to your energy – if you want a relaxed, scenic day with a chance at a big fish, we’ll pace it that way. If you’ve got kids, I keep things fun and interactive.
When you understand what’s happening and why, nerves drop fast. That’s when the fun starts.
Step Two: Simple, Clear Instructions When the Rod Loads Up
The moment a sturgeon takes is electric. Rod loads, line ticks, your heart jumps. This is where I switch into coach mode.
You’ll hear simple, clear cues from me:
- “Okay, pick up the rod. Don’t strike yet – just feel it.”
- “There it is. Now lean back smooth – perfect.”
- “Good, keep that rod tip up. I’ve got you.”
I’m right there beside you – hands free to steady the rod, adjust drag, or step in if you need a break. You’re never alone trying to figure it out.
Step Three: Turning Panic Into Confidence During the Fight
Once the fish is on, most first-timers go through the same arc: panic – effort – disbelief – pride.
My job is to guide you through that arc without you burning out. I’ll:
- Help you use your legs and core instead of just your arms.
- Talk you through what the fish is doing – “He’s on the bottom now, let’s lift,” or “She’s going upstream, let her run for a sec.”
- Offer breaks without judgement – we can always swap in a second angler or tag-team a big fish.
Some of my favourite moments are when someone who was convinced they “weren’t strong enough” realises they’ve just landed a fish bigger than they are.
Kids, Parents, and Multi-Generational Trips
When there are kids on board, the experience shifts – in a good way.
I’ll often:
- Let kids help “set the hook” while a parent or grandparent finishes the fight.
- Break things into mini-jobs – one person on the rod, one helping with the net or tail, another filming.
- Use simple language and lots of encouragement – we’re building confidence, not just catching fish.
Some families leave with a new tradition. The fish is the excuse; the real memory is the shared moment, the cheering, the high-fives when that sturgeon finally comes into view.
What If I Really Do Mess Up?
You’re human. Fish come off. Rods get held the wrong way. People freeze. It’s all part of it.
On my boat, there’s no yelling, no shaming, and no “you should have…” lectures. If something goes sideways, we learn, we laugh, and we wait for the next bite.
I’ve lost plenty of fish in my life. It’s not the end of the story – it’s just another chapter.
You Bring the Nerves, I’ll Bring the Coaching
If you’re on the fence about booking because you’re inexperienced, that’s exactly why you should come. My entire guiding style is built around taking people from unsure and nervous to proud and hooked for life.
You don’t have to be “an angler” to fish for sturgeon with me. You just have to be willing to try. I’ll take care of the rest.
