Tips For Guides

[Ross]

After reading the threead on guides, I was wondering, what is a decent tip for a guide if you have a good day of fishing? First fly-in this summer, and have booked a guide for a day, so I thought I better ask someone who has been there. Thanks

["COMA"]

Have not had a tip yet. So I guess my first tip would be awesome at any amount. I think any amount would be gratefully excepted. Every little bit helps.

[REW]

The general rule of thumb for most service industry tippins is 10-20% of the total bill.

So, if the days bill is $300 - a tip of $30 -$50 would be about right.

If this is for two or three folks, that is only about $10 each.

Take care
REW

[s.f.]

I agree with REW. As usual.

I welcome tips, naturally, but I don't expect them. It seems if the effort is there, the tip, of some sort, will be there. I have been given many favors by appreciative customers over the years that far out weighed any tip they could have given me.
One time the CEO of the biggest phone company in the world went with me. He and his partner caught several limits of walleyes in a half day trip, including several in the 30" range. Back then, my rate was $80/half day. I filleted the fish, brought the mounter to the taxidermist, and bought'em lunch. He hands me 4 20's and watches me shuffle through my empty pockets for a 5 for change. I watched like a whipped pup, as he drove his $70,000 Jag off into the sunset.

Steve Fellegy
#49

[Mckoz]

We've always made it $20.00 a person - our only problem is getting a couple of the guys we never used to return our calls.

[Smitty]

I guess it depends on the guide, his effort, and the pleasure of the experience (notice I did NOT say how many fish). We once had 2 guides for a group of us up in Canada. While one was pleasant and worked to find us quality spots, the other drove out about a mile onto the lake, threw the anchor, laid back, and said start fishing (there was no structure there at all and he seemed a little hung over).. You can probably guess who stayed with us for the rest of the week even though we probably didn't need him to find the spots and who was gone after the first day (actually I'm not sure he made it past lunch time).

If you feel you got a quality service, then the 10-20% mentioned would be just fine. Remember, it's about enjoyment, education, and many other things. Not just catching fish (don't get me wrong, I LIKE to catch fish but that's not always within the guide's control).

[Dodge1]

I agree with the 10 to 20% rule and I can’t imagine stiffing a guide, even if I didn’t catch a darn thing.

Heck, I even leave a 10% tip for the employees at the resort we stay at on Leech Lake. There’s always one of them either helping me get my boat ready in the morning or helping me dock it and taking my catch out for cleaning. I figure that kind of service deserves something in return.

My rule of thumb is that if you want great service and a warm welcome back; leave a tip and don’t forget to say how much you appreciated their service.

[Gilligan]

Having worked in the past as a flyfishing guide for an Orvis lodge I would strongly recommend not rating what you consider a good day of fishing as on how many fish you take. How hard did your guide work for you? Was the guide plesant? Was the guide helpful in showing you different methods and techniques? Your guide can't control the weather or the bite, judge him on what he does control.

[River_eye]

I guide at an American plan resort on the Winnipeg river and I'd say that tips are highly variable. The general concensus among our guides is that $20 a day/two people is a guideline. If I really got along with you well and in turn, worked extra hard to make your trip a good one, It's nice to get more, but we will generally never complain if it's $20 a day. But, if the guide isn't pleasant, didn't try hard, etc. less is acceptable, to let him know that he needs to brush up on a few things. Whatever you do, don't leave no tip at all, cause he will just assume that you don't know about tipping, and not change his style, instead, if he's really bad, leave him $5 or somthing.

[Grampa_Joe]

The average "Joe" blue collar client is always the best tipper. They are also the funnest to have in the boat.

Joe Carlson

[GR8WTHUNTER]

What is TIPS, not a word, but rather an abreviation
THANKS for
IMPROMPTU
PERSONAL
SERVICE

I took my wife and daughter to canada last summer. No guides but the guys working at the lodge were great, bending over for our every needs. They were shocked when I handed them $200 to split amongst the three that made the trip so good for us. If you get the service then by all means slip a T.I.P.S

[Northern Manitoban]

Hey guys looking at starting my own guiding business in Northern Manitoba.have almost everything setup including website info.But would like a little more info on fees to charge etc.Not in this to make a fortune,just love to be out on the water showing people the great fishing we have to offer.I would appreciate any emails from you gentleman who have guided and still are.Thanks.Dave Xtremefishing@hotmail.com

[vern]

}> what about the guy that build's your new house, do you give him a tip for his service as well .(no)
everyone thanks he get's enough money.

[Joe]

I have always had real question on this tipping thing. I don't know where it got started, but I think it is getting carried away. Now I am not a stiff and do tip my waitress for good service and a good meal. But for instance, where did tipping a bar tender come in. He did not make my beer and just because it's cold and he took the cap off I am suppose to leave a tip? The world of business is about service, don't give it or do a poor job at it, don't survive. I am in the sales business and when my clients buy the product they expect it to do what they purchased it for. And when it does that I am not standing there waiting with my hand out for a tip. And when it doesn't do what it was suppose to I am there to do my job again, that's what service is all about. Ok boys, let me have it.

[Mckoz]

We don't do much residential work anymore but when we did I recall at least one $100 tip, many, many cases of beer - lots of fresh baked goods, several cigars, and best of all some really great friends who've referred us so much work over the past 17 years we've never needed to advertise.

Mike

[Jeff ND]

Joe, having worked in the service industry(blackjack dealer) most of the bar staff and card dealers are paid way below minium wage as a set wage. The staff is EXPECTED to get tips to make up at least the difference between the two amounts. Where I currently work(as a second job) I am paid $3.50/hr plus tips. Tipping to me is like commission. If I do a good job selling myself or my products I get a commission(tip) for doing so. If you go out and eat and have a bad experience and leave a small tip the persom serving you will remember that more than not leaving no tip at all. Just my two cents worth.

[River_eye]

If it weren't for the tips it wouldn't be worth guiding, period. It would be harder to find people who want to guide, and in turn, it would cost you more to hire one. So, either tip your guide the amount that you think is reasonable, or let him or his boss tack it on to the bill, where you have no say in the amount.

Same with bartending, they aren't doing it for the fun of it and their wages.

[Larry L]

I do know for a fact that using left over loonies to tip the waitress in a Montana cafe on the way home will get you some dirty looks.:)

[EastTX]

I would say to tip accordingly....if you feel that the guide worked as hard as he could for you..tip him well if not dont tip. I'm a guide and I never complain about tipping....I charge 275 a day...some people have to save up just to buy a trip.
Steve