How much of a tip?

I know this question has come up from time to time but since I've never used a guide I haven't paid any attention to the answers.
Now, I am planning to book a one day guide while in Colorado. I've already got the fees and dates. One friend has suggeted 15% of the fee, another 20% and a fellow from my FF club says he always tips $100. I said a hundred bucks is a good days wages but 20% of $345. is $69. and that's a good days wage too. Any suggestions, comments or other input will be appreciated. I'm not a cheapskate, well maybe a little, but I'm not rich either. Thanks, Jim

I usually tip 15 to 20%. For most trout trips that's about $70 to $80 on a guide rate ranging from $350 to $500 a day. That's a rule of thumb for me. I usually tip a bit more for a drift boat trip or if the guide extends the day beyond the standard hours , or runs up and down a lot between two anglers on a wade trip, or otherwise works extra hard during the day. Most guides that I know would think a $100 tip on a $400 trip is an exceptionally good tip.

If two guides charge different rates for what would be essentially the same trip I would tend to tip them the same as I don't feel one should get a bigger tip just because they charge more or a smaller tip because they charge less.

I have never not tipped a guide but I have observed a couple that I would not have tipped.

I have some friends who tip 10% to 15% and I know a succesful and generous businessman who tips around 50% sometimes. Just tip what you are comfortable with.

I usually plan on 20% when I start the trip. If I think the guide does a good job (i.e., works hard regardless of whether we catch fish), he gets the whole 20%. If he does less than a good job, I may cut it down to 15% and will probably never use him again.

Tip at least 20%, by the way, $69 is not a good days wage by any means, it's below poverty level and below minimum wage too.

Hi Jim,


Exceeds our expectations professionally and personally ( I'm not easily impressed ) : No upwards limit and we'll probably try to lock up another booking before parting.

Good day, good company, knowledgeable: 20% to 30%, will likely consider them on our next trip to the area.

About average, didn't exceed our expectations or overly impress us with their knowledge or boat handling: 10 - 15%. Wouldn't ask for them specifically for a follow up trip, but won't refuse to go with them again.

Professionalism, skills or attitude cast a negative shadow on our day: Not one dime. This is an uncommon occurrence, but there are a few out there.

We don't tip based solely on the fishing. Our tipping is based on professionalism, knowledge, character and our enjoyment of the day.

Dave

I have tipped between 75 and $100 -- and this is for 2 people in a drift boat -- and the second person is usually my wife who is not an accomplished fisherman. The guide has to help her much more than he does me. These guided trips can be $450 for a day so I think this tip is quite generous. Generally speaking, I just need a guide to get me to a reasonable place to fish and don't need much help after that so I think his day is pretty easy. On the other hand, if you are not very accomplished, the guide is certainly going to have to work harder. It also makes a difference if they are supplying flies, food, etc.

Like anything, it depends on how you are treated and what you get for your money. Once on the Big Horn, the outfitter arranged a drift for us and we paid the Outfitter hansomely for the trip. The guide didn't get all that money. The outfitter provided a lunch that consisted of a balogne sandwich, a gingerale soft drink and bag of chip -- handed to us in a beautiful Wal-Mart plastic bag. The guide was clearly embarassed and recommended we go to a store and pick up some other things to eat and drink for the day. He worked his butt off and we had a great day due to his efforts and his efforts alone. I tipped him $100 and felt like it probably should have been more.

Bottom line, do what you feel is right.

There was a waiter working in a restaurant in Miami back in the 60's I believe. One night, after one of his performances, Jackie Gleason came in with his entourage. Probably 10-12 people. In those days a tip of 10% was acceptable, and meals weren't near as expensive as today. After the meal was finished, Mr. Gleason asked of the waiter, "That was very good service. What is the largest tip you ever received?" The waiter humbly responded, "I was given $500 one night." Not wanting to be outdone by someone's tip, Mr. Gleason gave the waiter a $1000 tip and asked him, "Who gave you the $500?" And the waiter said, "You did Sir."
So, I guess what I'm saying is give what you think is appropriate within your budget, then put the thought behind you.

Ray,
I think he ment the trip cost plus the $69. a good days living.

I tipped $100 for my last trip. My Dad was on the boat with me, and the guide did a really great job helping him. He rowed productive runs 4+ times, and what was supposed to be a 8am-5pm guide trip turned into a 7am-5pm guide trip.

Hope this helps. I agree with the above poster. $69 does not make a good day's wage. $100 doesn't equal all that much as well.

Factors I consider. Did he provide flies, lunch (most guides provide lunch out of their own pocket), leader, tippet, etc. Did he have his own extra rods just in case you had a problem. Even if I don't use his rod, I factor that in, as a guide who does this can save a bad day if you end up with a major problem with your own equipment or forget your reels...

Two posters seemed to indicate the tip is all the guide gets. His fee is his wage, the tip is gravy for doing a good job.

Right it is gravy, but are there lumps in the gravy or is it nice and smooth. I know that he has his fee but, any good guide is worth his weight in salt. Being a guide for a particular stretch of water, he should know the hatches and provide a box of flies specific to that water. If he provides flies and goes out of his way to make sure the fisherman is comfortable and put on to the fish, provides lunch and fluids throughout the day, I would say he deserves to get a fair tip. It is no different that getting a good server in a restaraunt, were they cordious, mindful with the drinks and just all around great waiter, you would give him a larger tip. He made your day, now you should return the favor. Just my opinion. I would also get his card and turn my friend on to him also.

I usally tip a guide around 20 percent (usually more). As others have said the productivity of the day isn't something I tip on (well beyond his/her control). I do however tip on how well they did in putting me on what fish I did catch and just generally how well they did in ensuring I enjoyed the day. While guides do receive a percentage of the guide fee, if they are working through a shop, they do not recieve the full fee. So if a full day trip costs $250 the guide probably sees less than half of that amount. In addition he/she likely provided flies, water, lunch, etc. out of that fee. As many people tip on the quality of the food/drink the guide may have spent as much as $20 of the guide fee just on "extras". That really isn't much for a days work. As a result I do feel that a generous tip is warranted if the guide did a good job with those elements of the trip that are within his/her control. I personally use the same guide on my yearly trip to Colorado and as a result feel that tipping him a bit more is in line as every trip I've ever had with him has exceeded my expectations and he is always willing to fish as long as I'm willing to regardless of how long the trip was "scheduled" for.

Just my .02

Brian

A question to further muddy the water. Do you tip the same if the guide is self employed or a partner in a service as you do if he works for a guide service?

I would tip him more if he was working through a guide service

Regarding the "extras" such as lunch, flies, leaders, drinks, terminal tackle, fuel, etc. - every guide and outfitter I know factors the average cost of these items into their fee. If not then the explicitly charge extra and this is stated up front.

I don't usually tip any different for guides booked independently versus those booked through an outfitter or shop. That business relationship is not my concern. Guides may have different relationships with the sources of their bookings. One lodge that I used to frequent had different deals for most of their guides depending on whether the guide was receiving lodging and meals, just meals, or no meals and lodging. I have known several guides who charge less for direct bookings that shops or outfitters who book for them do. Unless I have some reason to believe the guide is getting stiffed by the outfitterI don't tip extra.

Tip what you feel the trip deserves. Remember, tips are above what the guide thought was a fair price for the trip. If He/she figured the trip price assuming tips...they better earn the tip. AND THAT SHOULD HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH WHETHER THE SPORT CATCHES HUGE NUMBERS OF FISH!!

And $58 is a Federal Minimum wage for an 8 hour day (which the guide may exceed, including setup, takedown, driving)

Yes, this is below poverty line...but that's another, more political, debate...and probably also moot.

My wife booked a half-day wading trip for me a few years ago in NC. We were strapped for cash most of the time. The guide taught me alot that got me over the hump in my learning process. I'd easily have tipped him more than I could afford if I had had it.

Guides charge a few for their service to make a living. Tips are required, they are a way of saying thank you for providing excellent service. Pay them what you think they deserve and maybe throw in a six-pack. Let them know you appreciated them or not.

Full day fly fishing guide trip in Mountain Home Ar. is $400. This include lunch, flies, leaders, tippit. The better guides set out lunch with a table, table cloth and a great lunch. Most guides book through a fly shop and pay the shop $35 a trip.
Check the Gulf cost trips, $500. + gas or more. I don't know of any guide that would only charge $250. Maybe Texas is an exception for lake guides, but not salt water guides.
If someone knows of a salt water guide that only charges $250 for a day, let me know, I will be there in a flash.

I generally tip $100. A guide who partipates on another board told me that a Franklin makes him happy.

I do tell guides ahead of time that I undertand they can't guarantee me fish. But I tell them I want to learn something. Biggest tip I ever gave was to a guide who taught me a different way of tying a blood knot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steven

...Biggest tip I ever gave was to a guide who taught me a different way of tying a blood knot.

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What's a blood knot ??

John

A knot used to combine two pieces of mono together. Makes a smaller knot than a surgeon's, double surgeon's, or uni-knot so kind of key for making one's own leaders.

[/assuming you're serious here]