WILLOW CREEK — Six Willow Creek residents have been accepted into a new Maine Guide apprenticeship program launched by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, pairing them with licensed veteran guides for the 2023 season.
The program, funded by a $180,000 federal workforce development grant, pays apprentices a stipend of $15 per hour while they train under a mentor guide for a minimum of 200 hours. Upon completion, apprentices are eligible to sit for the Maine Guide licensing exam with a reduced fee.
Julia Chen of Northwoods Outfitters will mentor three of the apprentices, focusing on river navigation, client safety, and fish identification. The other three will train under independent guides operating on Pleasant Lake and the upper Mattawamkeag.
“Good guides aren’t born — they’re made over seasons of experience,” Chen said. “This program shortens the learning curve without cutting corners on competence.”
Apprentice Maya Tremblay, 24, said she left a retail job in Bangor to pursue a guiding career. “I’ve been fishing this river since I was 8,” Tremblay said. “Getting paid to learn how to share it professionally is a dream.”
The program addresses a critical shortage. Licensed Maine Guide numbers have declined by 18% statewide over the past decade, even as demand for guided outdoor experiences has surged post-pandemic.
Selectwoman Eleanor Vance said the program aligns with the town’s workforce strategy. “Tourism doesn’t work without the people who lead the trips,” Vance said. “This is an investment in our economic future.”