Why use a Registered Maine Guide? Whether you are a visitor or a local, using a Maine Registered Guide is one of the best ways to ensure you are getting the most from your Maine outdoors experience.  Maine guides are licensed and registered with the State of Maine in the following categories: white water rafting, inland fishing, tide water fishing, trapping, hunting, recreational and sea-kayaking.  Each guide has to pass a verbal and written exam approved by the state of Maine. The Registered Maine Guide program has been in existence since 1897, when the first Maine guide was licensed.  “Fly Rod” Crosby was the first Registered Maine Guide and was a woman, there were 1,700 guides registered in that first year. Along with the different classifications, comes different requirements; here is a breakdown of the classes from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (www.state.me.us/ifw/licenses_permits/guide.htm): Specialized Hunting classification means that a person has met the qualifications to guide hunting and trapping activities, including overnight camping trips in conjunction with those hunting and trapping activities. Specialized Fishing classification means that a person has met the qualifications to guide fishing activities, including overnight camping trips in conjunction with those fishing activities on inland waters. Specialized Recreational classification means that a person has met the qualifications to guide boating, snowmobiling and camping activities. Specialized Sea-Kayaking classification means that a person has met the qualifications to guide sea-kayaking activities on the State's territorial seas and tributaries of the State up to the head of tide and out to the three mile limit, including overnight camping trips in conjunction with those sea-kayaking activities. Specialized Tide-Water Fishing classification means that a person has met the qualifications to guide sport fishing activities on the State's territorial seas and tributaries of the State up to the head of tide out to the three mile limit, including overnight camping trips in conjunction with those tide-water fishing activities. This license shall apply to any person engaged in guiding fishing activity for any species of fish, except those species harvested under the authority of a Department of Marine Resources license. This rule does not apply to activity occurring on board a vessel holding a valid and current certificate of inspection issued by the United States Coast Guard.