How much do you tip a guide?

[troutcrazy]

your standard 15% to 20% should be fine, and maybe a bottle of good bourbon too.

15% to 20% tip amount is great, but the bourbon would never make it to the boat!

Thanks guys for the advice...

[cantcatch]

I have only gone out with a guide a couple of times but didnt even think about tipping him. I paid him for his services, I guess if he did something exceptionally great I could give him a little more, but to me this is NOTHING like tipping a waitress, a waitress is paid way below minimum wage and depends upon his/her tips to make a living. Tell me if I am wrong but this is just my 2 cents.

When I use to go to the barber I NEVER tipped him either, maybe I am just a cheap skate?

[Dave Stewart]

From a guide: Normally it is customary to tip a guide 10-15%. Here is how I look at it from a guide's point of view:

If you can afford the tip you should do so...no we are not waitresses but it has been a custom to tip hunting and fishing guides since there were such folks. Most of us guides depend on the tips to pay some of our expenses so we can keep our costs down for the clients. Now, I am a firm believer that if the guide has not earned the tip, they should not be tipped....earning is not based on how many fish or how big are the fish you catch...guides are not gods...we can't control the weather, the fish or your ability. We can however, work hard to put you on fish and try to teach you as much as we can in the short time we are on the water together. So if you feel the guide has worked hard to get you on fish and/or taught you something about the type fishing you are doing so you can later do it on your own...you should tip them.

Do I think someone is cheap if they do not tip?...actually I figure it is one of the following:

1. They are not satisfied with the services they received.
2. They are ignorant of the fact they are expected by custom to tip a guide.
3. They cannot afford to tip.
4. They are cheap. (Yes, I tip my barber)

[Dobe Mejuwa]

From a guide: Normally it is customary to tip a guide 10-15%. Here is how I look at it from a guide's point of view:

If you can afford the tip you should do so...no we are not waitresses but it has been a custom to tip hunting and fishing guides since there were such folks. Most of us guides depend on the tips to pay some of our expenses so we can keep our costs down for the clients. Now, I am a firm believer that if the guide has not earned the tip, they should not be tipped....earning is not based on how many fish or how big are the fish you catch...guides are not gods...we can't control the weather, the fish or your ability. We can however, work hard to put you on fish and try to teach you as much as we can in the short time we are on the water together. So if you feel the guide has worked hard to get you on fish and/or taught you something about the type fishing you are doing so you can later do it on your own...you should tip them.

Do I think someone is cheap if they do not tip?...actually I figure it is one of the following:

1. They are not satisfied with the services they received.
2. They are ignorant of the fact they are expected by custom to tip a guide.
3. They cannot afford to tip.
4. They are cheap. (Yes, I tip my barber)

So Dave how much do you tip your car salesman when he spends 3 hours on the lot getting the right truck and terms then countless hours after that resolving issues, and assisting with service? If 15 % seems fair to you I look forward to helping you buy your next $60,000 Ford Super Duty 4x4

[Dave Stewart]

So Dave how much do you tip your car salesman when he spends 3 hours on the lot getting the right truck and terms then countless hours after that resolving issues, and assisting with service? If 15 % seems fair to you I look forward to helping you buy your next $60,000 Ford Super Duty 4x4

I have tipped and still do many folks that provide me good service..ie...barber, mailman, delivery persons, waiters and waitresses, plumbers, electricians and many more....but I would not consider tipping a car salesman any more than I would consider tipping a prostitute as I know their goal is to see just how much money they can screw me out of.

[stripernut1]

I have tipped and still do many folks that provide me good service..ie...barber, mailman, delivery persons, waiters and waitresses, plumbers, electricians and many more....but I would not consider tipping a car salesman any more than I would consider tipping a prostitute as I know their goal is to see just how much money they can screw me out of.

And that is CHECKMATE!!! lol

[GeoFisher]

I have tipped and still do many folks that provide me good service..ie...barber, mailman, delivery persons, waiters and waitresses, plumbers, electricians and many more....but I would not consider tipping a car salesman any more than I would consider tipping a prostitute as I know their goal is to see just how much money they can screw me out of.

hahahahahha........awesome Answer.

[gforcetrivers]

I have only gone out with a guide a couple of times but didnt even think about tipping him. I paid him for his services, I guess if he did something exceptionally great I could give him a little more, but to me this is NOTHING like tipping a waitress, a waitress is paid way below minimum wage and depends upon his/her tips to make a living. Tell me if I am wrong but this is just my 2 cents.

When I use to go to the barber I NEVER tipped him either, maybe I am just a cheap skate?

OK Mr PINK!

[Buzzy]

OK Mr PINK!

Now that’s funny.




If you don’t tip you are a scumbag. It is that simple.

[Longdrive]

I paused my guiding career 20 years ago and am looking to get back in again. Tips went from 0, to over 100% of trip price. As Mr. Stewart pointed out there are many factors, but it primarily comes down to the clients' views on tipping.
Trust me I'm cheap, 1 haircut=a set of clippers that does the job for years.
As a former guide tipping is something I don't skimp on(client view). When you find a great guide, you have found an entire network.
What client gets called when a cancellation comes up, and it's going to be epic?
Who can find another boat, bait supplier, launch, guide-if something drastic happens?
Who knows great guides and great locations if you are going someplace else?
The best guides I know often shake hands and book it up again a year out, and both parties are looking forward to it, no matter what the fishing is.
My $0.02

[waterdog101]

I have only gone out with a guide a couple of times but didnt even think about tipping him. I paid him for his services, I guess if he did something exceptionally great I could give him a little more, but to me this is NOTHING like tipping a waitress, a waitress is paid way below minimum wage and depends upon his/her tips to make a living. Tell me if I am wrong but this is just my 2 cents.

When I use to go to the barber I NEVER tipped him either, maybe I am just a cheap skate?

I see it just like you, it’s the guides job to charge the price he thinks he can get, if he says 300 bucks for a half day, that’s what I would pay him, no tip even if it was the trip of a lifetime, it’s a job like if you had your roof replaced on your house, if the roofers started and finished your roof and charged you 6 thousand bucks for the job, would he get a tip for doing the job, and it is nothing like tipping a waiter, and I don’t give them a set % either, I do tip waiters about 98% of the time but not always, to me a tip is something they earn, if they keep my drink filled, they get a tip if I run out of drink before i’m Finished eating, no tip.

[Crankinstein]

Guide tips are considered gentlemen tips. If your a gentleman and the guide was a gentleman you tip. As far as amount I base it on how the guide works to make my trip a success. Can’t blame him that I can’t set the hook or feel the bite.