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Q:
What is an appropriate tip for an all day fly fishing trip with a guide? I'm not trying to pay his mortgage. Just enough of a tip so he doesn't curse at me when I walk away.
Question by redfishunter. Uploaded on July 31, 2012
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Answers (8)
Ten to fifteen percent, same as any other service. And don't hesitate to not tip em if they don't do a good job. While in Manitoba few weeks back I had to muscle a big fiberglass river boat up and down a bank off the main road because the launch had been plowed up. We managed but only barely and only because I was fit enough to put my back into it (the other client had MS). The guide should have been more familiar with where he was taking us fishing. Then I had to pull the battery from our rig to power the electric trolling motor because his two batteries for the boat were dead. The price was $220 per day and he only got paid for the two days. Fishing wasn't great either but that was more the fault of the weather than the guide. His fee was substantial and that's all he got. And he didn't complain either. A nice fella. I wouldn't mind giving him another chance.
Hi...
If the guide offered good, professional service (didn't catch the big ones before you had a chance), between ten and twenty per cent seems okay.
EXCEPTION: If the guide is working on his own (not in someone's employ), I would not tip. I never tip the owner...of anything. They are already making all the money you have paid them...!!
I'm leaving Aug 9th for an Alaskan fishing trip. Strangely, I looked thisup yesterday.
OHH is correct. Ten to 20% is sufficient. I would only go above 15% if the experience was exemplary. With "expensive" services 10% to 12% is good. Above average, 12% to 15%.
I've been on this boat in the past. Charter price tells me 10% regardless of the trips outcome. The deckhand is crazy good!
Tradition says tip each person (captain, deckhand[s]) separately. I urge you to speak to the captain before tipping ANYBODY! The boat I'll be on we tip the Captain and he pays the deckhand.
The captain invites us all out to a meal (deckhand included) after the last day of fishing. Final tabs are settled and he tips the deckhand in front of us!
Don't be afraid to explain to "Cap'n" WHY if you're unhappy with his services!
!0 tp 15% is fine, and shouldn't be judged by just by the fish you catch. On my river the fee is now $525.00 a day for two people! I use to get very large tips at times as a fly fishing guide...seldom as a lure fishing guide previous to that. That is why I became a flyfishing guide..good clientel that could put a fun outting into perspective, and realize a guide doesn't get rich guiding, and many of them had the bucks. Back to my river...the guide only gets around 1/2 of that fee, the outfitter the rest. Short season, guides don't make a lot of money, and it is hard work.
Thanks, that's a lot cheaper than I was thinking so that's good. Ive gotten lucky on my planning on this trip. The guide I'm taking early on in the trip is letting me borrow some gear for no charge to fish on my own later in the trip (I only have a 8 weight rod), so I'll probably tip more like 20-25 percent. I also found someone that is renting me their boat for so cheap I almost feel bad.
Equipment usually comes with the deal so don't feel like he's being excessively generous. Where are you going? I may be headed west in August.
Park city for four days. So far I can only fish two. Gotta keep the wife happy, we are also going hiking one day and a free day on another. I'm well on my way to turning hiking into fishing trip that requires walking. Same thing right? I understand equipment is usually included, but this guy is letting me use his equipment for the remainder of the week, no charge. He is only guiding me for one day. That's awesome.
Redfish, I'm assuming you decided to book a guide after the last question you posted about whether or not it's worth the money. I'm glad to see you are taking a guide for a little and that he is giving you some gear to use going forward. When I went out there I had phenomenal experience and tipped in the 15-20% range. Good luck and look forward to hearing where you fished and how you did!!!
Post an Answer
Thanks, that's a lot cheaper than I was thinking so that's good. Ive gotten lucky on my planning on this trip. The guide I'm taking early on in the trip is letting me borrow some gear for no charge to fish on my own later in the trip (I only have a 8 weight rod), so I'll probably tip more like 20-25 percent. I also found someone that is renting me their boat for so cheap I almost feel bad.
Ten to fifteen percent, same as any other service. And don't hesitate to not tip em if they don't do a good job. While in Manitoba few weeks back I had to muscle a big fiberglass river boat up and down a bank off the main road because the launch had been plowed up. We managed but only barely and only because I was fit enough to put my back into it (the other client had MS). The guide should have been more familiar with where he was taking us fishing. Then I had to pull the battery from our rig to power the electric trolling motor because his two batteries for the boat were dead. The price was $220 per day and he only got paid for the two days. Fishing wasn't great either but that was more the fault of the weather than the guide. His fee was substantial and that's all he got. And he didn't complain either. A nice fella. I wouldn't mind giving him another chance.
Hi...
If the guide offered good, professional service (didn't catch the big ones before you had a chance), between ten and twenty per cent seems okay.
EXCEPTION: If the guide is working on his own (not in someone's employ), I would not tip. I never tip the owner...of anything. They are already making all the money you have paid them...!!
I'm leaving Aug 9th for an Alaskan fishing trip. Strangely, I looked thisup yesterday.
OHH is correct. Ten to 20% is sufficient. I would only go above 15% if the experience was exemplary. With "expensive" services 10% to 12% is good. Above average, 12% to 15%.
I've been on this boat in the past. Charter price tells me 10% regardless of the trips outcome. The deckhand is crazy good!
Tradition says tip each person (captain, deckhand[s]) separately. I urge you to speak to the captain before tipping ANYBODY! The boat I'll be on we tip the Captain and he pays the deckhand.
The captain invites us all out to a meal (deckhand included) after the last day of fishing. Final tabs are settled and he tips the deckhand in front of us!
Don't be afraid to explain to "Cap'n" WHY if you're unhappy with his services!
!0 tp 15% is fine, and shouldn't be judged by just by the fish you catch. On my river the fee is now $525.00 a day for two people! I use to get very large tips at times as a fly fishing guide...seldom as a lure fishing guide previous to that. That is why I became a flyfishing guide..good clientel that could put a fun outting into perspective, and realize a guide doesn't get rich guiding, and many of them had the bucks. Back to my river...the guide only gets around 1/2 of that fee, the outfitter the rest. Short season, guides don't make a lot of money, and it is hard work.
Equipment usually comes with the deal so don't feel like he's being excessively generous. Where are you going? I may be headed west in August.
Park city for four days. So far I can only fish two. Gotta keep the wife happy, we are also going hiking one day and a free day on another. I'm well on my way to turning hiking into fishing trip that requires walking. Same thing right? I understand equipment is usually included, but this guy is letting me use his equipment for the remainder of the week, no charge. He is only guiding me for one day. That's awesome.
Redfish, I'm assuming you decided to book a guide after the last question you posted about whether or not it's worth the money. I'm glad to see you are taking a guide for a little and that he is giving you some gear to use going forward. When I went out there I had phenomenal experience and tipped in the 15-20% range. Good luck and look forward to hearing where you fished and how you did!!!
Post an Answer