Skeezer...
Typically a guide has fished (studied) his whole life. It has been his investment in exactly the same way a doctor going to medical school has been. There is NO difference whatsoever. The man is an expert and deserves every penny he makes.
$175 is a bargain for such expertice.. after the guide spends 20 bucks for gas in his truck 20 in his boat. Plus God only knows how much for his rods, reels, boats ,trucks ,tackle how much of that 175 bucks do you think will go towards profit?
plus you can figure it this way.. 175 bucks divided by ohh lets say an average day consists of 12 hours ( 8 fishing, 2 prepareing and 2 cleaning up) take away his overhead and you could guess he is maybe making 10-15 an hour while equally skilled people in other careers are making 200,000 + a year .
A guides time is valuable and so is his experience. Some aren't willing to pay and thats fine but never ever think he is taking advantage of his clients by overcharging.. If you want a trip where lunch is provided take a steelhead float trip on the Deschutes ( 350-450 a day). then come down to tide water and recognize what a bargain 175 is..