Frequently asked questions.

YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS, WE’VE GOT ANSWERS.

BOOKING YOUR TRIP

  • The short answer: ASAP. The sooner you get it in your calendar, the sooner you can look forward to your trip. Our smallmouth schedule fills up especially fast, with most prime dates taken by the end of April. Don’t hesitate to book a year in advance if your schedule allows.

  • We pride ourselves on our ability to teach beginners. Our guides can help you feel comfortable on the water, whether fishing for bass or trout. When you book with us, you can focus on learning essential techniques for success, including casting, fly selection, and reading the water.

  • Feel free to reach out by email, call, or text! We love hearing from you. Just a heads-up, though—email works best for us! As a small business of fishing guides, we spend more time on the water than we do sitting in the office. So drop us a line anytime, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

  • Yes! If your kids and family want to be outside, we want to help make that happen. Get in touch with us and share a little about your family. We can help you customize the ideal day(s) that everyone will enjoy.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

  • See our helpful “Packing + Lodging” lists for a breakdown of what you should pack and where to stay!

  • This is dependent on the time of year and the conditions on the day of fishing. Generally speaking, we will start between the hours of 6 AM and 9 AM. Your guide will arrange an exact meeting time and location with you 1 to 2 days before your trip.

  • Full Day – 8 hours (with lunch!)
    Half Day – 4 hours (no lunch)

    We appreciate your understanding when it comes to our schedule! Our guide comes ready to share their expertise during the allocated time, and it's important to wrap things up when the day is up. If you happen to go over your scheduled time, a little thank you to your guide goes a long way! They have been kind enough to extend their time and will still need to clean the boat and get ready for the next day of guiding.

  • Weather is uncontrollable; that’s the bottom line. Bad weather doesn’t always mean bad fishing. Some of our best days have been on some of the most challenging weather days. We will fish rain or shine as long as we are safe (no lightning). If there is wiggle room to reschedule, we will allow you the option. This is evaluated on a trip-by-trip basis and is ultimately the call of your guide. Come prepared to fish in whatever Mother Nature throws at us.

  • Tipping your guide is customary in the fly fishing and outdoor industry. A standard tip is typically 15% of the trip cost, with the option to increase to 20% if the guide exceeded expectations. Guides invest significant time in their craft and are committed to sharing their expertise and ensuring memorable experiences.

PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS, REFUND POLICY

  • We require a 50% deposit for day trips, camps, and travel trips within 10 days of booking. In some instances, deposits are non-refundable. Please see our cancellation section below for more details.

  • Due dates for the full payment of your trip balance vary depending on the type of trip you booked. Your invoice will have your exact due date listed, but here is the rule of thumb:

    • Day Trips: Full payment is due on or before the day of fishing.

    • Overnight Camps: Full payment is due 30 days before the start of camp.

    • Destination Trips: Full payment is due 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellations and refunds vary depending on the type of trip. Below are our policies:

    DAY TRIPS:
    Cancellations made at least 14 days prior to the scheduled date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 13-7 days prior to the scheduled date will forfeit 50% of the cost of the trip. Cancellations made less than 7 days prior to the scheduled date of the trip will forfeit the full cost of the trip unless a suitable replacement can be found to fill the spot.

    OVERNIGHT CAMPS:
    Cancellations made at least 45 days prior to the scheduled date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 44-30 days prior to the scheduled date will forfeit the 50% trip deposit. Cancellations made less than 29 days prior to the scheduled date of the trip will forfeit the full cost of the trip unless a suitable replacement can be found to fill the spot.

    DESTINATION TRIPS:
    Cancellations made outside of 90 days are eligible for a refund of payments, less a non-refundable $500 handling charge deducted from the deposit. Cancellations within 90 days are not eligible for a refund unless a suitable replacement can be found to fill the spot. Deposits and final payments for travel packages are non-refundable within 90 days, so it is highly recommended that you purchase medical, travel, or trip insurance if you must cancel your trip for any reason.

  • We accept cash, check, electronic bank transfer, or Zelle. Zelle is our preferred method, and you can use the account letsfish@blackearthangling.com (FlyPhoto LLC) to make a payment; please reference your trip type and date in the notes. We can also accept credit cards with an additional 3% transaction fee. If you prefer to pay with a credit card, please email us a request.

LODGING AND ACCOMODATIONS

  • We host several fully outfitted camps each season that include overnight accommodations (camping or housing). These camps include Spring/Fall Trout Camp, Crash Camp, and our Custom Camps. Some guests prefer to book multiple day trips in a row, and we are happy to recommend lodging and dining options in the area.

  • If you plan to stay in the area, please let us know, and we will be happy to help you find something that fits your needs. For starters, you can reference the “Packing + Lodging” lists on each trip page for a custom recommendation based on the type of trip you booked.

ALLERGIES & SPECIAL NEEDS

  • If you have a food allergy and are attending our overnight camps or joining us on a full-day trip that includes lunch, please let us know as soon as possible. In many cases, we can make accommodations, but in some instances, we may request that you bring your own food.

  • We believe that the outdoors is for everybody. If you have a mobility issue that may impact your ability to walk, stand, or navigate uneven terrain, please let us know and we can let you know about the options we have available.