An open letter of Thanks to Jim Bain(a.k.a. Jim) & www.ifish.net

photofishn · 08-21-2001, 10:53 AM

An open letter of Thanks to Jim Bain(a.k.a. Jim) and all you great folks @ www.ifish.net

This is an letter of thanks to Jim Bain, WashingtonOutdoors and all of you on ifish.net

I live in Arizona and had the chance to visit SW Washington(SeaView / Ilwaco / Chinook) for a vacation on Aug 10-19. After posting on this forum, requesting information on fishing opportunities, several of you responded with pointers.

Jim also responded, to me , a total stranger, but, it was the most gracious responses/offers I have ever gotten.

Jim is a Guide, and it so happened that his "season started" on Aug 12th, with his first client. Since he was "going out" to "pre-fish" before his paying customers showed up, he invited me and my wife to come along with him "FOR FREE". Right up front, he says, "the trip is on me, wont cost you a cent, no gas or bait money needed. I am going anyway, so lets just say its a "little Northwestern hospitality".

Needless to say I was blown away by the offer and since my mother didn't raise a fool, we jumped at the chance to go.

We were at the ramp a Chinook 15 minutes before the scheduled time on the 11th. Jim was already tied to the gas dock waiting.

We fished between Chinook and the Bridge. 15 minutes after getting the bait down, we had the first hit. I "forced" my wife to take the rod, since I was getting it all on videotape, in order to make Jim a "streaming video promo" for his guide service website as a "way of saying thanks" for his generosity.

To make a long story short, she landed her first salmon. A 25 pounder, all caught on tape. We had 2 more takedowns that day, but due to AE(angler error) we, my wife and I lost contact with those fish.

I have fished with many guides from all over N America, and have to say that I have never found anyone of them to be more knowledgeable and professional that Jim Bain. He was a pleasure to fish with. His equipment was "top notch" and his "sled" a joy to fish from.

When ever I get the chance to visit again, you can bet that I will give Jim Bain a call.
For those of you needing a guide, Jim is booked for the rest of the season, but you may be able to pick up a day if he has a "No Show". You can email me for his number.

Again, thanks to all of you great "fisher people" in the Pac NW and ifish.net for all the great information. And I special thanks to Jim Bain, Washington Outdoors. It was a trip we will forever remember.

Respectfully

Mark Phillips www.phillipsmediaservices.com

P.S. As I said, my mother didn't raise a fool, I compensated Jim anyway. Plus, when the his promo video is complete, I will post a link so you all can see my wife getting her butt kicked by that fish [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

Phish_on · 08-21-2001, 03:37 PM

A great story and bound to be deleted if Jim is not a PAID ADVERTISER.

Way to go with the NW hospitality !!

photofishn · 08-21-2001, 03:45 PM

I sure hope its not deleted. Jims "outreach efforts" to guests of the region should be acknowledged.

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

Jennie@ifish · 08-21-2001, 05:30 PM

I think it was awfully nice of Jim to do that. Guides in general get a bad name sometimes, and there are plenty of good ones around.
Nice going, Jim, and sounds like you really made a friend!
As long as a post isn't blatant advertising, I'm sure the guides on ifish won't be upset.
Jen

Snapshot · 08-21-2001, 08:21 PM

Great story and thanks for sharing it with us. To often people don't take time to appreciate others. I had a similar story occur ( about 15years ago ) on my first trip to the Keni. A guide and his wife were at the PDX Boat show and invited me up knowing I was to travel alone. My buddy backed out of the trip. They were great hosts and treated me as family. I washed a few dishes and they share some of my favorite fishing memories. If we could all be so bold. The Bergs were wonderful and a friend for life. Way to go Jim, you showed great character. You will succeed.

NEUTRON · 08-21-2001, 11:51 PM

Mark, great post. Thanks for sharing.

Jennie@ifish · 08-22-2001, 08:25 AM

Ifish recognizes that the trip described above with Jim Bain did not include compensation, thus was not technically a guided trip.
However, it has come to our attention that this individual may be operating other guided trips without appropriate State and Coast Guard licenses or proper insurance. To be fair, I must say that I have not verified this e mail information to be true or false.
Before you book a guided fishing trip, please ask your guide for proof of these important documents for your own protection, and the protection of others.
I can assure you that all listed ifish guides are licensed and insured.
Licensing and insurance ensure that a guide is trained and prepared to cover potential liabilities which may arise. Please respect the guides who make the investment of time and money to protect you by obtaining proper certification. Guiding is not an easy or lucrative profession. Those that play outside the rules make it harder for those that do play by the rules to ensure your fishing trip is fun and safe.

Get Bit · 08-22-2001, 08:48 AM

Nice to hear about some of that NW hospitality !There are a few guides that give
the profession a bad name but most are super. Jen happens to have some of the best advertising on Ifish and I'm sure thats one of the reasons she is so protective.Guys like Len Self showing a 12 year old kid at the time how to tie an egg loop, and then taking my grandfather and I on a drift trip(no charge,only fun fishing) certainly sparked my enthusiasm for fishing in Tillamook. Thank You Len! Thanks for reminding me about how great our NW people can be !!

Get Bit

DanS · 08-22-2001, 09:23 AM

Jen,

Wouldn't it be better to verify this information, and THEN post about it? If Jim does have the proper licenses, you're going to owe him a BIG apology........if he doesn't, then shouldn't the USCG and WDFW deal with it?

You're treading on a slippery slope here. This kind of thing is what makes NWFishing a cesspool.

Jennie@ifish · 08-22-2001, 09:57 AM

Nope, not treading, just following legal advice.
I am not saying he is, or isn't... Only that ifish guides are licensed, and to watch for it.
Thanks,
Jen

Osprey · 08-22-2001, 10:05 AM

What the................
I've never met Jim but by his posts He seams like one of the good guys.
Why is it in one sentence you say someone may not be licensed correctly and in another you say no but the i-fish guides are.......I can assume one of them sent you that slanderous e-mail...........This thread is about a kind act...........you're comments and the other guides were uncalled for......Os
Who's you're legal advise....KillerTraylor [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ 08-22-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

Jennie@ifish · 08-22-2001, 11:45 PM

It is not my responsibility to investigate nor prove otherwise any action whatsoever.
I don't have the ability nor time, nor inclination to investigate a persons background.
My job is to help out the guides listed on ifish, and to run ifish.net.
All the e mails were sent from another popular web site in Washington.
Have a good day!
Jen

[ 08-22-2001: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 08-22-2001, 11:46 PM

After speaking with a lawyer friend of mine, he concurred with DanS's reply. Slander or defammation of character is bad business, but it's cool if it's directed at me of course. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Tell killertraylor we said to stop giving you free advise because you are getting exactly what you paid for.

Technically I could call Osprey a prostitute, and until he proves otherwise, he's a prostitute.