Your budget and the location are your biggest choices when choosing a tour. The more isolated the location; chances are the pricier it is to reach. Your comfort level is important as well. Many fishermen are content with staying in basic cabins or lodges with minimal amenities, eating simple food, and a guide that may not even speak the same language. Be sure to have a written contract stating everything included in your tour from the equipment down to the food. If you want to catch specific fish, check around to see which tour operators specialize in that fish and don’t be afraid to ask of the latest catch.

There is a very wide variety of operators. Many are local operators who arrange trips with local guides or stays directly at their own lodges. Others are international booking agents that simply contract out local operators. Others are large, multi-national corporations that design custom luxury trips all over the world and use anyone from professional sport fishermen to unqualified naturalists. Many of the best lodges and fishing spots are the most remote. They are miles away from any civilization

Fishing Tour Operators

Alaska Yacht Adventures (http://www.alaskafishcharters.com, Tel. +907-789-1978)
This 73-foot yacht runs regular fly and sport fishing charters in southeast Alaska.
Americana Sport Fishing (http://www.fishcostarica.com, Tel. +800-634-0012)
Wide variety of sport fishing opportunities around Costa Rica on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
B&B Worldwide Fishing Adventures (http://www.wheretofish.com, Tel. +888-479-2277)
Central America, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the Amazon are just a few of the destinations this well known operator runs fishing trips to.
Campbell’s Guided Fishing Trips (http://www.rodneycampbell.com, Tel. +406-587-0822)
The Yellowstone, Missouri, Madison, and other rivers are all on Montana native and guide Rodney’s itinerary.
Global Sporting Safaris (http://www.gssafaris.com, Tel. +307-235-4650)
This hunting and fishing tour operator arranges guided excursions and lodge stays in wilderness destinations around the world.
Rod and Fly Tasmania (http://www.rodandfly.com.au, Tel. +03-6266-4480)
Guide Mike Tenner will lead you to some of Tasmania’s best spots for trout and salmon fishing or teach you the basics at one of his workshops.
ROW International (http://www.rowfishing.com, Tel. +800-451-6034)
One of the premier fly-fishing operators in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Trips in Idaho and Oregon on the Coeur d’Alene, St. Joe, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Clearwater, Grande Ronde, and Snake Rivers.

Do-It-Yourself Options

Considering most fishing tour operators are aimed at the extremely wealthy and very serious fishermen, most sport fishing is done without an operator. Many fishermen have their own boats and will tow the boat to lakes and will camp or rent a cabin nearby. Others will simply rent a cabin in the wilderness near a river or lake. Some may simply hire a boat to take them out in the ocean for the day, which can be quite expensive if not with a group of people.

For more exotic destinations you can often speak to local fishermen or boatmen to take you out in the water for relatively cheap. For isolated rivers and lakes, set deep in mountain ranges, you will need to hike, camp, cook your own food, and often hire a local guide to lead the way.