right guy and be clear that you’re more interested in learning everything to be able to fish independently than you are in catching fish that day.

If you just want him to have a great time catching fish with a guide, that’s fine too.

I’ve guided a lot of years, and know a lot of good guides, but most will automatically just try to get you on as many fish as possible. That’s what almost all of their clients want.
But that usually means making it as easy as possible and not much teaching if difficult techniques or talk about all the thoughts and decisions that he’s making internally.

If you want to learn, you need to be really clear that’s what you’re looking for. When I did a lot of flyfishing 101 classes, I’d spend the first half of the day literally in a classroom setting teaching basic info, knots, etc, where it’s easier to learn. Then move outside for casting instruction, and finally onto the water to put it all together, learn about reading water, bugs etc.

Most guides don’t do that very often, but he can do the same kinds of things streamside if you let him know that it really is about instruction.

Teaching is actually harder than guiding for most guides, and it’s not always the same skillset, so when you book ask which guide they think will be best at this.

I’m assuming you’re in Utah.

I’m not in Utah anymore and only guide up there when a client wants to fly me up for a few days, but I have a bunch of awesome guide friends up there who can do a great job for you.

Ryan Newman, mentioned above, is great.

My favorites are Bryan Eldredge, Spencer Higa (if you can get him out of Fly Fish Food) and Jake Ricks. Excellent teachers.

BM me and I’ll give you a phone number for any of them.