guide fees and tips

[tj]

If you hire a guide for a day and pay his daily fee pay for lunch and maybe dinner(for the non 8-5er) are still expencted to tip him at the end of the day and if so what % and reasons to tip or not to tip. thinking about hireing a guide but want to know up front what is expected before going through with it.

[Nofish]

Hey TJ,

I was a licensed guide for a while. I still may renew my license at some point in the future.

When I was guiding, I never, and I mean never, expected a tip. To me , then and now, a tip is something to show gatitude for a job well done.

With guiding, or dining out, I reward good service. And 20% is my benchmark in the restaurant. I do hire a guide every now and then and I have tipped all but one of them, at least 15-20%. The other still got a tip, though.

With fishing, what is good service? Catching lot's of fish? Not always. Was the guide on time? Was his equipment in good shape? Was the boat neat and orderly? Did you feel safe? Did the guide explain the plan for the day? Were questions answered without a ton of BS? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you learn anything? Would you hire him again? Or recommend him to a friend?

To me, those are more important than how many or how big the fish are.

If you were in my boat, and it was supposed to be windy or rough, I would always say that at any time you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, we'd head in. I also made the same statement about navigating in waves, or just speed in general.

Tipping is appropriate when it was a good trip. After all, sure you paid the guide, but an extra thank you for a good memory is always nice.

As for amount. That is up to you. Ten bucks for a full day, may be a little slight, but, it is your offering. As I say, 15 - 20% is more appropriate.

Good luck......R

[Sunshine]

Good answer "Nofish"
I hire guides to gain knowledge, not catch fish. I've tipped guides when I have caught nothing and have not tipped guides when fish were caught. Every situation is different. Your guidelines are good ones. The guide is providing a service and if they do a great job and/or go out of their way to make your day a memorial one, show your gratitude.

I think that the original question however concerns paying for lunch and maybe dinner and then still tipping. If paying for the meals was part of the original agreement than "Nofish" answers still apply. If there was no agreement and you chose to pay for meals as a "Thank You", then I'd say that you have started to tip already. Deduct meal costs from the tip that you think is appropriate. I wonder what Ann Landers would say?

[TBO/MN]

Great answer! I guided in Alaska for several years and mostly for salmon. The trips could be long and hard, but I never expected a tip. I was never disappointed if I didn't get one, but very appreciative if I did. I cleaned all the fish, if asked to do so, and in those instances, was usually tipped very well, upwards to 25-30%. I always had very good equipment and tried to make the customer feel like he/she was the most important part of the trip, fish being caught was a bonus. Now I hire a guide once and a while and find that if they make me feel good and show me a good time, I tip really well. Like most other personal services, if it is good, show your appreciation.

The Big One

[Lawrence Ecklor]

I believe I answered you already but server changeover must have dropped a few. Although I can only remember once not getting a tip, we really as guides don't expect them. I guide on
Mississippi River, Wisconsin river, and Winnebago Chain, and several other waters on request. We will fish about 15 National Tourneys this year and love to pass what we learn on to clients. Rather than a catch all we can attitude we concentrate on teaching how we do it technics. Ofcourse we catch fish,too. But if you want to tip you ofcource can. My tips have ranged from
100% in one case to a free trip on customers home water. Free lunch or dinner to a herbal tea. But I think any guide would be pleased with 10-20%.
If your not a tipper, a thank you letter or e-mail is always appreciated, and what you would have done differently suggestions are always welcome. Good fishing and hope this helps answer your question. But The bottom line is, you are not expected to tip, its totally your call.