That would be gross income according to your average estimation but you have to subtract direct costs associated with that average income to get at a net figure. That "net" figure is what you have left to spend on everything else.

"Net" income $105,000, LOL, ask any guide on Fork. I don't think you will find even 1 that makes a Net income of $105,000 per yer guiding.

guides will only charge what the market will support..

Last time I called a plumber to my home it was $105 a hour!! No offense to the plumbers on here but that is what I call a little extreme. Yes, it was 7 pm but that was over ten years ago!! And No, I didn't give him a tip...

I made so much money in four years guiding on Fork, I retired. LOL

I don't know Billy but he is dead on. Most guides at Fork or any other popular lake would love to be able to get paid to fish 200 days a year. That's $90K a year LESS income tax, & expenses. That is not $90K NET. Huge Difference guys!! Notice Marc Mitchell said he fished 240-280 days a year but he is not getting paid for all of them.

We've had this debate about 20 times before on this forum. There will always be those that think the guides are getting rich and there will always be those that live in the real world and truly understand how much it costs to be an independent small businessman.

Red Ranger I think most guides were at 375 before they went to the new 450 rate. I think most guides could go back to 375-400 if they chose to. I do think they are like the airlines once they get the increase takes a act of congress to come back down. I will also say this most people that can afford the 375 are not going to say much about the extra money anyway especially if they had a good trip. They do not get rich on guiding since most only get about 150-200 days a year. The only thing that gets a lot of guides by is they get paid in cash and hard to prove how much they got for taxes. LOL I do believe 450 plus tip is a ton for one guide day but it only comes out to about 40 to 45 thousand a year in money. I wouldn't guide for that. Guiding is hard work to do it day in and day out. The guides usually have bad backs time they are 50. I think this is a luxury so we should only hire a guide if we can afford it. This isn't for everyone because of price. I believe getting a guide for most people is a once in a lifetime deal so get the best you can and enjoy your trip it will be worth it for most people. just my .02

I'm no guide but I don't think many, if any, are in it for the $$. Making a living doing what they love has to be what drives them. The price might be steep but its well worth it.

Bottom line,once price goes up it will not go down. Unless their business falls off.

I always tip 20%!

Don't forget that a lot of guides are running 4 strokes now,with better gas mileage and no oil needed. Add back oils changes/filters.

I was fortunate enough to have a job (now retired) that included a good budget for entertaining customers. Most of my customers loved fishing rather than golf, so over a fifteen year period I took well over 200 guided trips on Fork.

I know how tough a job it is--most have to work 7 days a week March-May, only to have spotty bookings after that. Also, the hours on the water is only part of their day--the boat still needs to be cleaned, gassed, put away and tackle readied for the next day. Phone calls have to be answered each evening. Most good ones spend a lot of non paid days on the water, like Marc said in order to stay on top of the fish.

I have the ultimate respect for guides. They earn every penny.

I have respect for guides also. It is NOT a "get rich quick scheme"! That being said: the OP simply asked if those guides that used high fuel prices as a published reason for raising rates have considered lowering rates due the huge drop in fuel prices? Although it was a stupid question because the answer was already known, it was a legit question none the less. Look at the original question/statement before feeling the need to defend all the guides.

This is why the question was legit! Buc-ees yesterday:

Price is not bad considering you could be spending that much ($400-450 or more) EVERY month if you bought your own boat.

It should keep them from having another price increase.

If they charge $450 and average $50 tip for $500 a trip for 150 trips a year that's $75k a year gross income. They are lucky to net $50k a year likely they net less.

No way I would want live on it.

The guides don't "profit" $450 a day. Mark, above, just said that he gets $25 an hour for his time. The rest covers expenses. He's making around $50k a year. Not a bad living. Not GREAT living. However,not is fishing for a living....sort of. Which in and of itself isn't too bad.