First guided trip. Ever. Before the first cast was even thrown, guide stringing up my rod snapped the top 4th piece.
Specifically asked if the rod should be broken down for transport, was told no need. As we reached the float point, I noticed the tip of my rod was bent along his windshield, not thinking much of it at the moment. Only realizing now that that was probably the cause for the tip breaking. Guide drove and roads were rough, rod tip taking all the bumps while bent along the windshield. Definitely could’ve been avoided and I’m partly to blame for over trusting a “professional.” Kind of a PSA to myself as well: always listen and do what’s best for your own gear regardless of what others say.
Needless to say, sucks. Missed my biggest fish of all time, having to use an unfamiliar rod with mismatched line weight. Kinda soured my 1st time out on a floated guide trip.
The guide obviously felt bad but there was nothing he could do at this point as we were already on our way down the river. He had a spare 6wt rod mismatched to my floating 5wt line.
I paid the full price plus a 20% tip. I’m not going to short someone on their living. But it sure was a costly lesson for me.
Guide offered to send my rod back to the factory to which I agreed. Lo’ and behold today, I find out the guide sent my rod in the aluminum tube, without taping it, boxing it, or securing it in any fashion. Tube arrives with cap missing, and tube completely empty. Rod is gone.
I would request that the guide replace the rod, and then not use that guide anymore. JMO, but a “professional” who makes the offer to send the rod in for repair and does not package it properly, he should offer to refund 100% of cost of the trip as well. JMO. Sorry for your bad experience.
This is just my opinion - The guide needs to sincerely apologize to you for his mistake and either refund your money for the trip or purchase you another fly rod of equal value. If he had done the above immediately, you would be posting how great he was and recommending his service to others. From reading your post, I would say this “guide” is someone who decided to be a “guide” for the money and has had no training or experience and I have to assume he is on his own and not connected to any fly shop or outfitter.
As far as that individual guide goes he has his head hiding in a dark place. A guy who pays so little attention to details has no place hiring himself out as one who can guide, mentor and instruct others. Is he licensed?
A real guide would have already dealt with this appropriately. He owes you a new rod, exact replacement or closest model to it. You should not even ahve to ask.
Thanks everyone for the advice, opinion, and your personal expectations. I really appreciate it, and gives me an idea how to move forward.
He is a licensed / insured guide in Michigan. He’s also connected to a lodge / fly shop. However, I’m going to omit the lodge’s name because the individual’s failure is in no way representative of the lodge’s amazing hospitality.
I know UPS has started an inquiry into the matter, but I think we’re all realists here. The rod is gone. I’ll follow up with the lodge next week and set an expectation for full reimbursement of the rod once UPS closes their investigation.
Of course, I’ll keep everyone posted. Thanks again.
If this guide doesn’t do the right thing, replace the rod, I would start with contacting anyone else involved! Did you hire the guide through a fly shop? Get them to help you. Does the state he works in license guides? Perhaps the licensing agency would help. If he is unlicensed, the state would want to know that too. Make sure you contact him and clearly tell him you want a replacement rod. If not, start your follow-up plans. Philip
Tip? Why would you tip? For me, I don’t care who it is! a tip in NOT mandatory. maodiver
its been my experience that folks from more modest circumstances almost always tip according to prevailing custom, no matter the situation. when our kids were old enough to hang out in bars, but not so old as to have very much money to do so, their tip was always a good one because they knew very well the economics of wait staffing.
yeah, maddening event; glad there is a lodge/shop involved. they should do you right, especially if you are not far away, or they are in a heavily touristed area. it will be a favor to get them in on it: they don’t need Mr. Clumsy giving them a bad name.
we used to wonder why the “best” guides were almost always old…unlike the best ball players…but that’s another thread.
YES THE INDIVIDUAL’S FAILURE IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LODGE / SHOP!
He works for the shop, he IS the shop!
IMO you should have had a new rod of equal or greater quality in your hand when you finished the day… the shop WHICH THE “GUIDE” REPRESENTS should have made it right, on the spot. Then the “GUIDE” learns an expensive lesson which will not be repeated, or he will be out the door.
No mercy from me, for people who choose to take people fishing for profit. Do it honorably and correctly, or move to new jersey and pump gas.
I had a similar thing happen last fall. 1st day of the week long trip my guide slipped while stringing my rod and broke it at the cork. Almost impaled his chest. He was positively remorseful. He imediately gave me his winston, I had a TFO BVK, to use for however long I wanted to, even forever, if I wanted the rod. The guide took my rod and sent it back to TFO and paid for the repair fee and shipping. a couple of weeks later I got a new rod . I did give him the rod back when I left although he did say I could keep it. Did he make a blunder, yea, what happened was preventable if you believe in 20/20 look back vision. I ended up tipping him $100, because inspite of breaking my rod, he workered hard and was a good fishing companion and guide.
Time for composing & some songwriting the guide broken & then lost forever to the fishing waters fly rod blues tune & how many trout were pallbearers, even if the rod tube didn’t go too ? Worse than lending a fishing friend a rod that gets broken & lost to the waters…
Issue is still ongoing without much progress or resolution. I’m at UPS’s mercy at this point as they’re performing an investigation, and whether they’ll accept responsibility for the lost / stolen rod.
I know the guide didn’t purchase any additional insurance, so if UPS doesn’t reimburse me for a new rod, it comes down to the Guide.
In addition, since I wasn’t the shipper or receiver, UPS will not keep me updated regarding the status of their inquiry, despite the item in question belonging/belonged to me. Major inconvenience as I’ll have to sit on hold waiting for customer service for any updates.
So… still rod-less. Will check in again when I have more information.