I tend towards the second group. However, if someone comes up to me and flat out asks, most of the time I will help them, to a certain extent. This does not apply to guides or anyone who has been rude or otherwise shown themselves to be unworthy. I will answer direct questions and pass on a tip or two, but I am not out there to offer free guide service to someone who isn't willing to pay attention to their surroundings and learn what they need to learn. I also reserve the right to not tell you exactly what fly I am using if I am catching fish and they are not. I will reply "caddis" or "blue-winged olive" or something to get them in the ballpark. I have been burned too many times to be uniformly and completely generous.

What I will NOT do is go up to someone who has NOT asked for help and offer "friendly" advice, nor do I take kindly to others who try to do that to me.