Is Tipping the Guide Expected?

[letsfish]

Please help me with this......
I recently won a drift trip with a guide.Not being a person of much money I don't do the guide thing.So this is new to me.What is the proper tip?Is tipping expected?
What other protocol or etiquet should I be aware of?
Would appreciate all tongue-in -cheek http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif responses
BUT...I am looking for some real answers-guides or pass guides particularly.
Thanks to all for your help.
letsfish

[Deleted User]

Jim, tipping fishing guides is not expected in the manner it is for resturant waiters who make most of their income from tips. Since guides fees are not cheap, and shouldn't be, many clients don't tip guides. Others do. IMHO, I would suggest a moderate tip that you can afford if your guide has given you an exceptional effort and good time; and especially so if they get you into a bunch of fish to take home that have a market value equal to more than the guide's fees sometimes (chinook limits). Also, it is region wide customary to give the guide egs out of all female fish caught on your trip (they use other's caught eggs for you to catch fish with). As for protocol, be yourself and have a good time while making an effort to conform to the guide's fishing method directives. --- As for that tongue in cheek etiquette:

- After your 3rd backlash offer to, no just do it, jump in and swim, wade, and walk back to your car. Quickly! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif

- After your 3rd missed bite you should lean way over the side of the boat and dunk your head for a moment.

- If you've gone without a bite most of the day and a boat passes nearby asking how you're doing, DON'T say anything, the guide may prefer to lie about it. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

- Don't wear cologne out fishing!

- Don't touch the bait with unwashed hands. (not so tongue in cheek)

- Don't start whinning if you haven't caught a fish in the first couple hours. In fact don't whine period! (also not so TIC)

- Don't pay your guide with others watching, in case he doesn't have a license http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

- If on a slow day you catch a black 'Nook with a white tail and it's eyes falling out, DON'T ask your guide if it would smoke up OK!

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Know fish or no fish. - RT

[NorthRiverS]

Hey RT,
You forgot to tell him not to take any bananas in his lunch bag. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[chromer]

RT is right on track, and I think guides are just as happy (some maybe more) with a genuine "thank you" and good references to other potential customers. IMHO, however, I judge my tips (and references)by how hard the guide works, not how many fish are brought to the boat. I don't necessarily mean actual muscle bending work, but things like: Did he keep refreshing my bait, did he try other methods or areas when others weren't producing, was he patient and willing to answer questions and provide new information, etc.

I don't however, agree with RT when it comes to paying unlicensed guides. IMHO - DON'T pay them and turn them into the OSP or Marine Board. If you don't know for sure, ask to see their license.

Just my .02 worth.

[Deleted User]

Chromer, my joke of suggesting not to pay your guide in front of people in case he's not licensed was under my 'tongue in cheek' section only. - RT

[Timber Man]

Bringing this back to the top because a dollar amount wasn't answered..Looking for an amount to get an idea.TM

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"Just say HELL no to sovereign nation!!!!!"
SRBC Boyz

[Deleted User]

Hey TM, this is a little embarrassing here. These posts are about fishing guides, not sidewalk guides. For what you need to know just e-mail 'Fly or Kid Sauk http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif . ... jk

Actually, that is a difficult question to answer in dollar amounts. I think what I suggested in my first post here is a good guideline for tipping fishing guides. If 2 guys pay $250 for a day on the water and you are treated to a good effort, fun day, and some fish to take home, and you would like to tip your guide I would suggest around 10%. Maybe 20% if you are able to afford it. So that would be between $10 to $25 dollars per client. Again, this is not necessary. And guides would want you to know that so they won't lose perspective clients that can barely afford the fees. One of the best tips I ever got on a few occassions was a couple of nice chinook steaks to take home to my family! Guides don't find much time to fish for themselves during the peak of the springer and fall 'nook seasons. - RT

[Deleted User]

images/icons/frown.gif

[ 10-27-2001: Message edited by: STEWED ]

[Deleted User]

Right you are 'Stew. Your post also reminded me that on really cold winter steelhead trips when a client's hands are brittle cold a high quality guide will hold onto the pee can for them. Just the can though. Right Marty? http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Biteme]

Hey RT. I think I will draw the line at the pee can thing, how about I will provide a heater and a porta potty or something and plenty of moral support. As far as tips are concerned they are not expected or required
a clients return buisiness and referals are the best tip that could be given, If you feel that the guide has put forth extra effort to make your trip enjoyable and you want to give a tip go ahead and do so, the amount is up to you and your wallet.

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Dennis H.

[Jim]

As a guide and owner of my own business I do not expect a tip...if what I charge is not enough that is my problem...my opinion. However, if the guide you are going with works under an umbrella of a company where he just gets a part of what is charged...for example many Alaska/Canada guides, then by all means tip him. I know that I am different than many guides but this is my two cents worth or a very good question.

So...no tip if they own the business
yes tip if they work for someone, I agree with RT on the amount...10-20% of the charged amount

Make sure you tip your guide not the owner of the business!!!

Have Fun!

Jim

[Pitch Pocket]

I will tip a guide if he has worked his butt off to put me or my group on fish. Many times though, I've hired a guide where his efforts have been pedestrian or downright lazy.

I had one rude captain on an ocean trip actually fall asleep in the cabin as he was very hung over. Two rods fished tangled for nearly an hour (the shorthanded crew insisted they were ok when notified). Never sniffed a fish. At the end of the day, the captain had the nerve to suggest we remember the captain and crew with a tip! We stiffed him laughing.

To be fair, this debacle was not in the Northwest. The guides I've hired here have been very professional for the most part. However, one northwest guide (now retired) scoffed at a $10 tip one of my less well off buddies offered and sarcastically chimed that he would take his entire family out to dinner with it....to McDonalds! I withheld my tip after that remark.

[Pete]

I think it also depends on the structure of the business. Years ago I worked as a guide for a "large local fly shop". I earned an hourly wage. My responsibilities started at 5 AM, getting the clients up, getting 'em dressed, making lunch, packing all the gear, driving everyone up the river, tying up leaders, selecting flies, pointing to the fish, ..... The standard practice in that business was to tip if clients got into more than a couple steelhead. Typical tips were $50 or $100. It was an unusual situation and I don't think it translates to the one man operation.

[Jim]

Pee Can...is entirely the clients...

Agree with the rest of your post!

Above all...have fun....my motto: When its no longer fun...I'm done!


I got me an old fashioned thundermug on my boat...hard to miss with a big handle!

Jim

[SteelieSteve]

All the guides I fished with charged the going rate and were self employed. So no tip. Share a fish with them at times but you gotta hol your own peecan.... sheesh. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif :rolleyes

SS

[Gone Fishin]

You know, I know a guide that will go above and beyond the call of duty for his customers. Sometimes he gets a tip, sometimes he dosen't. But, it really doesn't matter to him. Sure he says the money is always good. But he seems to think that if he shows his customers a great time, does his job to the best of his ability and his customers can't wait to come back, then he's done the job well and that's tip enough.

But, you do have to draw a line somewhere...
The customer will hold his own pee can! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif