I rarely hire a guide to float rivers and always find myself uncertain at the end of a good guided float what is customary and/or expected for a tip. Please teach me what I should know and do...
Tipping a guide - what is customary/expected?
- Thread starter Para_Adams
- Start date
@Scott Salzer and I typically start at $50 when we visit Missoula River Lodge. And it goes up from there based on how many flies are lost and their efforts for the day.
So start around 10% and go up from there?
I usually tip in the 20% range.
I typically start about $100 or around 20%… especially if they are providing drinks, lunch, flies, Tippett etc. some outfitters will have you go to their shop and buy flies before a trip, other guides will supply good stuff to make sure you have a good trip and hope for a nice tip.
That price is typical. If the guide is decent to good that’s a nice tip. If you feel they went above and beyond or you had a great day, more is welcome. If they were phoning it in all day, you can go less.
That price is typical. If the guide is decent to good that’s a nice tip. If you feel they went above and beyond or you had a great day, more is welcome. If they were phoning it in all day, you can go less.
Many of the outfitters have a "suggested" tipping rate on their websites. It seems fly fishing guides do expect to be tipped (which I support) whereas a guide I fished with twice; once for Roosevelt kokanee and then buoy-10 for Chinook, didn't seem to expect a tip on the kokanee trip. A friend and I stayed at a lodge this past April, the owner suggested we needed to tip the guide, the chef and house keeping........... (?)
Dr. Magill
Life of the Party
Like tipping the clerk at the local mini-mart
Dr. Magill
Life of the Party
I think there can be some overkill on this tipping. If you’re paying large sums to fish at a camp or lodge shouldn’t the fee include gratuities for the help?
I’m not at all opposed to tipping the guides but somewhere there needs to be a line
I’m not at all opposed to tipping the guides but somewhere there needs to be a line
20% for the guide, unless he is a lazy bum with a hangover who doesn't do his job, and gets pissy when you point out he's an hour late to meet at the launch, and spends the day bitching about his ex wife, and indians.
True story...
Doing his job does not mean you slayed fish all day and they were all on dries and all over 20", guide can't control that.
True story...
Doing his job does not mean you slayed fish all day and they were all on dries and all over 20", guide can't control that.
On a somewhat related note, what are your thoughts on ordering food on line to be picked up regarding tipping? I went through that the other day and arrived when the meals were to be ready, waited for about 20 minutes before the food appeared and then got the big stink eye when I did not include a gratuity when paying the bill. I have no issue paying for good service but on a takeout there really is no service.
I remember this subject was debated on WFF (maybe several times). The guides working out of the lodge I fished out this past April are "contractors" to the lodge owner - I don't know what percentage of the daily fee they get from the lodge owner. The guides buy their own gas, they buy their own boats, rods, and everything associated with fishing. It seems to me that tipping these guides is fair (and we did). Housekeeping?
DoesItFloat
Life of the Party
$50-100 depending on a lot of things. I've only stiffed a guide once, and it wasn't because we didn't catch fish (we didn't), it was because he was a complete asshole, he was drinking the entire trip, and the whole time I was on his boat, I wanted off his boat. But I guess that's Arkansas for ya.
charles sullivan
Life of the Party
I don't believe in tipping. I believe in over-tipping.
I rarely use guides. When I do, I tip. I would say $100.00 is the starting point.
I tip for take-out usually. If I have reason not to, I won't. Generally, 10% (1/2 of sit down) if I pick up.
I rarely use guides. When I do, I tip. I would say $100.00 is the starting point.
I tip for take-out usually. If I have reason not to, I won't. Generally, 10% (1/2 of sit down) if I pick up.
Derek Young
Steelhead
Mukman
Life of the Party
$80 - $100 typical. Gratefully, I've never had a true d-bag or someone who wasn't helpful and generous. Most of these guys (and one gal on the Missouri) work super hard, and since I have no idea how much they're getting from the outfitters, I want to make sure they know I appreciate their hard work. Since the float prices are going up, I'm wondering if I need to adjust to $100-$120. BTW, this is independent of number of fish caught.
When I fished Tarpon in Nicaragua, the guides were all about us leaving them our flys, along with a cash tip of course. Owner said fly tying stuff was super hard to come by, and so they stocked their boxes with the clients patterns that got left.
This is always a touchy subject for me as a guide.
Ultimately I say tip based on effort. 15-20% is what I would call industry standard. That's what most of us tip a waiter/waitress. A guide is no different except they are with you 8+ hours instead of an hour.
There are so many things I can't control as a guide. One thing I can control is how hard I try. Tipping should never be based on the quality of fishing. Remember, ultimately the rod is in your hands. Many, many people won't listen to what the guide is telling them and often the results reflect that. That shouldn't be held against the guide.
I feel like if most people knew the stress and anxiety I carry with me not only on the water, but the night before as well, they would understand better.
Still, if a guide is an asshole, doesn't try, doesn't cater to a client's expectations etc. then the tip should reflect that.
If you think the guide is putting in as much effort as possible, trying their hardest, then try to remember that at the end of the day. No guide is getting rich. It's a tough way to make a living. Tips are so very much appreciated. Everything is expensive these days. Every bit helps a ton.
Since I've been working in a tip based industry I have become a big tipper. It's only money.
Edit....as a client, you can really help yourself have a better trip by letting your expectations be known ahead of time. If you only want to fish dries, let that be known. If you wish to learn a certain technique, let that be known. If you just want to catch as many fish as possible regardless of method, let that be known. If you just want to have a fun day on the water, and catch fish in whatever way is appropriate for the conditions, let that be known. Let your guide know what you want to get out of your trip. It's a big help to both sides.
Ultimately I say tip based on effort. 15-20% is what I would call industry standard. That's what most of us tip a waiter/waitress. A guide is no different except they are with you 8+ hours instead of an hour.
There are so many things I can't control as a guide. One thing I can control is how hard I try. Tipping should never be based on the quality of fishing. Remember, ultimately the rod is in your hands. Many, many people won't listen to what the guide is telling them and often the results reflect that. That shouldn't be held against the guide.
I feel like if most people knew the stress and anxiety I carry with me not only on the water, but the night before as well, they would understand better.
Still, if a guide is an asshole, doesn't try, doesn't cater to a client's expectations etc. then the tip should reflect that.
If you think the guide is putting in as much effort as possible, trying their hardest, then try to remember that at the end of the day. No guide is getting rich. It's a tough way to make a living. Tips are so very much appreciated. Everything is expensive these days. Every bit helps a ton.
Since I've been working in a tip based industry I have become a big tipper. It's only money.
Edit....as a client, you can really help yourself have a better trip by letting your expectations be known ahead of time. If you only want to fish dries, let that be known. If you wish to learn a certain technique, let that be known. If you just want to catch as many fish as possible regardless of method, let that be known. If you just want to have a fun day on the water, and catch fish in whatever way is appropriate for the conditions, let that be known. Let your guide know what you want to get out of your trip. It's a big help to both sides.