Washington state sportfishing guides & charter operators need to be heard at the state level.
There are small associations in different regions of Washington state. Associations such as Olympic Peninsula Guides’ Association, The Gray’s Harbor Guide Association and more. Small associations do great work in their area. But Washington State has never had a statewide guide association or statewide representation. There are over 500 licensed guides in Washington state. Imagine the influence we would have in Olympia if we spoke as one united voice.
In 2017 this changed. We all saw fees increase substantially. Why? Because no-one represented our industry at the state level. As someone at WDFW said, “You didn’t have a seat at the table.” This was the catalyst to start coming together to do something. We started as the WA Chapter of NWGAA because we were able to organize quickly.
In an effort to focus strictly on issues that affect Washington State Guides specifically, the Executive Board of the WA Chapter of NWGAA ended the WA Chapter of NWGAA and started the Washington State Guides Association.
We have huge influence in numbers. We are being heard in Olympia and beyond.
Your Executive Board was instrumental in getting the WDFW Guide Advisory Committee started in 2019. We currently have 3 board members on the committee. We are working hard to protect and improve our industry and our fisheries we depend on.
We do not care if you are a conventional tackle guide, fly fishing guide, charter captain or if you guide out of a kayak. We are all licensed guides and charters in this state. To think that one type of guide would be left alone when another type if affected by some rule or law we did not have input on is a falsehood.
Be The Change!
When you join, membership dues to the Washington State Guides Association are paid annually by all members.
When you join as a professional member your dues or fees will be due by January 30th of each year.
Washington State Guides Association will send an email when membership is due. Please pay online within 30 days to avoid disruption in your membership. We have several membership options depending on your activity level.
Benefits of Membership
- Your membership provides WSGA the membership numbers to have negotiating power in Olympia.
- Direct access to the Executive Board to address issues in your area or home waters.
- You will receive 2 WSGA stickers for your boat or vehicle.
- As a member of the largest guide association in Washington State it validates you as a leader in the guiding industry in our state.
Join Now!
For those of you who wish to be a part of a drug testing consortium as part of membership; your membership will include membership to the National Association of Charterboat Operators. We take care of the registration for you. Membership to WSGA is $140.00 annually, this includes the NACO membership.
After you join WSGA, you will able to contact The Charteboat Consortium (Gulf South Resources) and get signed up for your Random Drug testing. This will cost you and additional $70.00 annually. We will send you an email with all the information.