I think it's not really an issue of pros, guides, recreational. It's just an issue of respecting other people's space when they are in it. When they're not in that space, it's yours if you choose to occupy it.

That being said, the whole "this is their job", "this is how they feed their families", etc., argument doesn't hold up for me. The fact is, they CHOSE this job.

Think of it this way, my job would be a whole lot easier if everyone I came in contact with during the day got out of my way (literally and figuratively) and bent over backwards to make sure I could be successful.

Life doesn't work that way, and I don't think people need to treat the pros any differently than they would treat anyone else on the water - which means, with respect. If you choose to treat them differently, that is your choice, but don't look down on others who choose not to.