Tipping a fishing guide

[thinhorn_AK]

How much should you tip a fishing guide? The only guided fishing trips I’ve done have been ocean charters and stuff in Mexico, Hawaii, Belize etc, I’ve never gone on a guided fly fishing trip in the continental USA before.

is it a daily thing? Or is it a percentage of the total cost? I’ve seen places say 20% of the total cost but that seems sort of absurd, I mean what’s a fly fishing guide doing to deserve that much? To keep things rounded, say this trip is 2 people, 2300.00/person, 3 full days of fishing, full lodging etc

In Mexico and Belize I’ve always given them 50/day and they seem very appreciative of it. If I tip them 20% for this trip, that’s nearly a thousand bucks for 3 days of fishing.

I was sort of thinking 100/day per guide (im guessing they will put us together with one guide).

I don’t want to be a cheapskate but this tipping thing has gotten completely out of hand in the USA and 20% seems sort of excessive for guys that are basically getting paid to live the dream while the rest of us save and scrounge to get a taste of it for 3 days.

I suppose if I’m just hammering fish after fish and getting some big ones I might throw them a thousand bucks but it sort of seems crazy to get a thousand dollars for 3 days of fly fishing.

What’s the standard? What should I expect? I’ll also add that when looking back on some of the other guided experiences I’ve had, I’ve tipped when I really shouldn’t have. I don’t see guides as these mythical know it alls that automatically deserve respect and money for simply being a “guide” they aren’t all equal in their abilities or personalities. I gave a 2000 dollar tip on a mule deer hunt a few years ago when I should have told the guy to F off. Why tipnsomebodbwhosebhandbyiubwouldnt even want to shake?

Anyways, looking for advice on this, 3 days fly fishing, 2 people, likely one guide, sticker price of about 5k.

Thanks.

 

[BowBaboon]

5k for 3 days of fishing, even all inclusive, seems like robbery.

Check and make sure gratuity isn't included in that cost.

I guided fly fishing trips for 6 years total. I was pretty happy for $100/day. It depends on how your experience went and how hard the guide tried. Did he break out nice rain jackets for that little sprinkle, or just let you wallow in the cold air? I'm sure you have your own gear, but many don't. Is he tying on new flies pretty regularly and trying to find fish, or just saying "man, this worked yesterday..." and not really trying? I just appreciate having a guide that shows he's actively trying to make it a good day even in garbage conditions.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

5k for 3 days of fishing, even all inclusive, seems like robbery.

Check and make sure gratuity isn't included in that cost.

I guided fly fishing trips for 6 years total. I was pretty happy for $100/day. It depends on how your experience went and how hard the guide tried. Did he break out nice rain jackets for that little sprinkle, or just let you wallow in the cold air? I'm sure you have your own gear, but many don't. Is he tying on new flies pretty regularly and trying to find fish, or just saying "man, this worked yesterday..." and not really trying? I just appreciate having a guide that shows he's actively trying to make it a good day even in garbage conditions.

That’s for 2 people with all food and lodging. I actually found it to be pretty affordable when you start pricing out all inclusive fishing trips. I agree the pricing has gone up and it’s gotten expensive but to put things in perspective, a day of bonefish chasing on Oahu is going to be 6-700/day plus the tip and the only thing included will be a plastic plate lunch form the ABC store that the guy grabbed the night before.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

5k for 3 days of fishing, even all inclusive, seems like robbery.

Check and make sure gratuity isn't included in that cost.

I guided fly fishing trips for 6 years total. I was pretty happy for $100/day. It depends on how your experience went and how hard the guide tried. Did he break out nice rain jackets for that little sprinkle, or just let you wallow in the cold air? I'm sure you have your own gear, but many don't. Is he tying on new flies pretty regularly and trying to find fish, or just saying "man, this worked yesterday..." and not really trying? I just appreciate having a guide that shows he's actively trying to make it a good day even in garbage conditions.

Also great point on guides just sitting there pulling the whole “you should have been here last week” BS….yeah man, well is wasn’t here last week, I’m here now, let’s make something happen…I went on an aoudad hunt a few years ago like that “you should have been here last week”, “what do you mean you don’t want to shoot 800yds” etc etc….

I could drop a big tip to a guy who was cool to be around who is busting his ass to find fish. What I’m completely over is dealing with guides who are just being pricks then feeling like I have to tip them just…because.

I’ve had guide who spent the whole time on their phones texting girlfriends, I even had one on the phone fighting with his ex over their kid while we were driving to a hunting spot. I’ve also had guides who completely just didn’t want to be there and they don’t even try to hide it. One guy was trying to get to some highschool football game and just acting like a prick all week. I’m done tipping for that type of stuff. Again, not all guides were created equal.

 

[BowBaboon]

Also great point on guides just sitting there pulling the whole “you should have been here last week” BS….yeah man, well is wasn’t here last week, I’m here now, let’s make something happen…I went on an aoudad hunt a few years ago like that “you should have been here last week”, “what do you mean you don’t want to shoot 800yds” etc etc….

Yeah I don't think that's a good attitude to have about a trip you're guiding. I was taught to never mention the previous days/weeks/months before that trip. Just let the folks you're guiding have a fantastic day regardless of how many fish hit the net. Making any comparisons is a sure-fire way to demean the group and lower your chance at a solid tip.

I say just base it on the effort the guide puts in, the level and quality of conversation, and not the amount of fish caught.

Where are you going?

 

[finner]

Standard in Montana is 20% for a ~$700 full day. Which is not to say that a guide will be visibly disappointed if you hand him $100. They do have to cover costs like lunch, shuttle, etc. if they're independent operators. And if they're contracted through an outfitter, they're kicking up a significant portion of the trip cost.

All said, if the dude actually puts in the effort, rows hard and gets you on fish I'd go north of $100. If he has you throw an indicator rig all day with a turd and a worm in a train of guide boats, I'd stick with $100.

 

[BowBaboon]

an indicator rig all day with a turd and a worm

This is the rig of my people.

 

[Rockpicker]

Places need to change what they’re worth and not worry about tips.

 

[gbflyer]

Give the guide $500 cash at the end of the trip. No gifts, fly rods, bottles of Crown, etc. That will keep your name from being cussed around the fly tying table at night when the guide is putting in hours 12-16 of the day. And if you ever want to come back you'll be very welcomed.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Standard in Montana is 20% for a ~$700 full day. Which is not to say that a guide will be visibly disappointed if you hand him $100. They do have to cover costs like lunch, shuttle, etc. if they're independent operators. And if they're contracted through an outfitter, they're kicking up a significant portion of the trip cost.

All said, if the dude actually puts in the effort, rows hard and gets you on fish I'd go north of $100. If he has you throw an indicator rig all day with a turd and a worm in a train of guide boats, I'd stick with $100.

When I was in Montana in 24 I had a great guide, funny dude, put me on fish constantly, dealt with my HORRIBLE fly casting, was good stuff. The other guides in the group sturggled compared to him. I gave him $150/day, two days of fishing. We did throw the indicator turd rig all day though, but it was September on the Stone.

 

[Dos XX]

I am usually an over tipper, especially if someone really put out effort. That said, wouldn't 20% of the total include tipping the cook, the houskeeping staff, THE BARTENDER, and anyone else? The guide isn't providing the entire $5k of service, is he?

Am I wrong on this? The tipping thing can be confusing.

 

[Olympics777]

The concept of tipping a guide is great imo because you can actually show your displeasure in a meaningful way if they suck. They do great? 20%. They suck? Nothing. Maybe they’ll put in more effort for the next guy.

 

[journeyman713]

Anyways, looking for advice on this, 3 days fly fishing, 2 people, likely one guide, sticker price of about 5k.

I'd plan on 10% as a baseline ($500), he goes above and beyond etc., you might reflect you noticed it, with a little more in the tip.
The cook is likely independent, and not paid well, consider a little something there too, separately.

 

[def90]

How much should you tip a fishing guide? The only guided fishing trips I’ve done have been ocean charters and stuff in Mexico, Hawaii, Belize etc, I’ve never gone on a guided fly fishing trip in the continental USA before.

is it a daily thing? Or is it a percentage of the total cost? I’ve seen places say 20% of the total cost but that seems sort of absurd, I mean what’s a fly fishing guide doing to deserve that much? To keep things rounded, say this trip is 2 people, 2300.00/person, 3 full days of fishing, full lodging etc

In Mexico and Belize I’ve always given them 50/day and they seem very appreciative of it. If I tip them 20% for this trip, that’s nearly a thousand bucks for 3 days of fishing.

I was sort of thinking 100/day per guide (im guessing they will put us together with one guide).

I don’t want to be a cheapskate but this tipping thing has gotten completely out of hand in the USA and 20% seems sort of excessive for guys that are basically getting paid to live the dream while the rest of us save and scrounge to get a taste of it for 3 days.

I suppose if I’m just hammering fish after fish and getting some big ones I might throw them a thousand bucks but it sort of seems crazy to get a thousand dollars for 3 days of fly fishing.

What’s the standard? What should I expect? I’ll also add that when looking back on some of the other guided experiences I’ve had, I’ve tipped when I really shouldn’t have. I don’t see guides as these mythical know it alls that automatically deserve respect and money for simply being a “guide” they aren’t all equal in their abilities or personalities. I gave a 2000 dollar tip on a mule deer hunt a few years ago when I should have told the guy to F off. Why tipnsomebodbwhosebhandbyiubwouldnt even want to shake?

Anyways, looking for advice on this, 3 days fly fishing, 2 people, likely one guide, sticker price of about 5k.

Thanks.

How much do you think the guides are getting paid? They rely on tops to get by. 20% is the norm.

If the price you are writing includes lodging the outfitter should be able to break down the lodging vs fishing pricing. But then you probably have to tip the lodging staff as well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

How much do you think the guides are getting paid? They rely on tops to get by. 20% is the norm.

Yeah I’m not playing the “norm” game with tipping anymore. Just like at restraints where the “norm” was 10% now placers are calling out diners that don’t leave 30%.

I’m ok tipping 20% if they do awesome work but I’m not going to tip 20% because it’s the “norm”.

To answer your question though, I have no idea how much a fishing guide makes. 40-50k a year???? Dosent seem like much but they get that for fishing and floating rivers. Seems pretty sweet.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I am usually an over tipper, especially if someone really put out effort. That said, wouldn't 20% of the total include tipping the cook, the houskeeping staff, THE BARTENDER, and anyone else? The guide isn't providing the entire $5k of service, is he?

Am I wrong on this? The tipping thing can be confusing.

That’s part of why I’m asking, I know in Mexico I tip the laundry lady, she’s awesome. Collects laundry, washes, dried, folds it and puts it on the bed. Same for cooks/bartenders. Guides get their own separate tip too.

Again, I have no problem with a big tip if the dude works his ass off, I’m just done throwing tips because I’ve been made to feel like it’s a “norm”. Like if o have to actually ask a guide to put his phone away, that isn’t the. Savior that’s going to get a big tip. Being cool, getting us on fish, not talking shit goes a long way.

 

[medvedyt]

tips is always an interesting concept and open to great discussion. when i had my ice fishing outfitting business i always explained that they cannot expect any tip as it is related to the appreciation of the client and some customers that came from europe are not considering even it as in europe (not all countries) includes the services.

when i was in charge of hunting camp i did the same speech to the whole crew: work your butts tips or not.

a tip is a bonus not an expectation.

just my 2 cents.

will you give a tip to a guide just because the standard or the industry expect you to cover it.

 

[CaseyRyback]

The larger the upfront cost the less I care about percentages. At some point the absolute number comes into play for me. Twenty percent on $5k??? No way. I'm not compelled by the idea that guiding/outfitting involves lots of hard work, long days, tips put food one the table, or what have you. These guys chose to do this for a living or side hustle. That isn't to say I don't tip. I've tipped 30% on an offshore trip and I've tipped zero to a horse packer this past fall because he was a drunk, and habitually late, and I told him as much. Follow your gut, not convention and tip what you think is appropriate.

 

[OldGrayJB]

The lodge where my wife and I stayed last year had a price list for their services. Our stay was all inclusive but I used the price list to figure tips.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

There are deadbeat guides, and there are guys that live and breathe fishing. My best fishing buddy became a guide and he is absolutely scraping the barrel paycheck to paycheck. Tips matter. I happen to be pretty dang good at fishing on my own and rarely use a guide, but when I do we usually split the tip aiming $100 minimum upward of $150-200 if they are exceptional and busted their butts for us.

And if you don’t buy that hard working/tough lifestyle line… go fish without a guide on that water you’ve never seen and see just how badly your ass gets handed to you. There’s a dozen things I guarantee you don’t know if guided trips are your general way of experiencing fishing.