Guest blog post by Rocky Marcinkiw, Wollaston Lake Lodge

Freshwater Fishing Guide Certification, over the years, has become a pillar of our guide training process at Wollaston Lake Lodge. Early on we recognized that our own in-house training, while extensive, did not offer an identifiable standard professional recognition. National emerit certification, delivered through Tourism Saskatchewan's Workforce Development department, raises our credibility to attract new guests and provide a solid foundation for our guiding staff.

Kris Radzichowsky completed national Professional Certification for emerit Freshwater Fishing Guide in 2022. Also earning their emerit certifications in 2022 are: Cayden Quiring, Solomon Maxwell, Patrick Vella, Andrew Cook, Stuart Mackenzie, Kyle Martin and Connor Toporowski. Photo courtesy of Kris Radzichowsky.

Prospective guests see our guides' skills and training as a key factor in choosing Wollaston Lake Lodge over another lodge. Employing professional guides who provide top level service is a market advantage we will continue to rely on in years to come.

From a guide perspective, the training opens doors to advancement. While we hope to retain our guides for as long as possible, some may desire to search out new waters or explore further afield. Having emerit Freshwater Fishing Guide Certification enables guides to present themselves in a more professional light when seeking a new position elsewhere in the outfitting industry across Canada.

Connor Toporowski earned his emerit Freshwater Fishing Guide certification in 2022. Professional certification helps Wollaston Lake Lodge deliver the highest quality of service. Photo courtesy of Connor Toporowski.

Each newly hired guide is required to have the written part of this certification completed prior to the beginning of our season. This compliments our own in-house training. By season end, all new guides will have enough hours on the water — and guests safely and successfully hosted in their boat — to be able to complete the final certification process with Tourism Saskatchewan. Both our guides and our lodge look upon this as a key milestone in their career.

A professional guide career is only enhanced through obtaining the Freshwater Fishing Guide Certification, with recognition for education and training similar to that offered by trade schools today.

Freshwater Fishing Guide Certification provides a sense of self-worth and accomplishment that gives new guides the confidence to perform at a higher level on a daily basis. In our 2023 season, we will again require all new guides to complete emerit Freshwater Fishing Guide certification. This will make 25 years of a successful partnership between Tourism Saskatchewan and Wollaston Lake Lodge.

Wollaston Lake Lodge group photo below, left to right: Andrew Cook; Pat Vella; Cayden Quiring; Stuart MacKenzie; Cisco Ferrero, Senior Guide; Clayton Schick, Senior Guide; Andrew Marr, Senior Guide; Solomon Maxwell; Craig Blackmur,Senior Guide and one of the first Saskatchewan's first professionally certified guides (1998); and Connor Toporowski. Missing from the photo: Kris Radzichowsky; Kyle Martin; Travis Thom; and Liam Riddell. Photo courtesy of Wollaston Lake Lodge.