I rarely use guides. My son surprised me with a guide trip in Early July down the Madison. Great guide out of The TroutHunter in Island Park, Idaho. This guide did not charge us for flies or leaders or anything. He said a certain number of flies were included in the original cost of the trip.

Anyway, I have had guides before who charge you for the flies he picks out for you at the shop and you are charged. Then, after the trip, you can trade the unused flies for whatever other flies you might want.

Two different policies at shops in the same town of Island Park, Idaho.

Of more interest to me is the amount of the tip expected by the guides. They really rely on good tips as they only share in the cost of the trip with the outfitter. I asked a friend of mine, who runs the guide operation at a high volume guiding shop about the tips. As expected, he said the customary minimum is $100 per trip. If you have a "great" trip, you tip more..............