I don't think you should let them know that you don't plan on tipping. I haven't done the math for today's prices, but when I was guiding, as in previous post where gas was $1.25/gal, and boats & trucks were less expensive - I would charge $225 for 2 people for full day. I can tell you from experience, the rate was based on covering costs. No, it did not necessarily cost $225 to take 2 people to the lake for the day, but figure $40 gas in boat, another (at least) $40 in gas in truck, I supplied all of the equipment so there is some loss of lures, plastics, and an occasional rod or reel getting broke. Also included in that cost is all of the trips to the lake to make sure that I have some spots that are producing.

So, I always worked my butt off for the client and a tip at the end was a way of showing their gratitude that they recognized the effort. I didn't expect a tip, so, yes the rate would cover expenses and kick me in a little, but the gesture of the tip was worth more than the tip. I didn't always get a tip, but that's not for lack of effort, it was dependent on the client. For example, parents paying for a teen to go by himself and only gave him the quoted fee, and that's ok.

So, being a former guide, yes I tip my guides, provided they work for it. You can't base it on whether or not you catch fish.....to a certain level. As in, if you have ever been fishing then you know certain times of the year, weather conditions and such makes it very hard to catch anything. But, if conditions are good and it just seems that the guide isn't taking you to fish or doesn't know what he is doing - then, I won't tip them. If they work really hard and the conditions were tough, then he earned the tip for trying. This goes especially for hunting guides. I have taken several duck/goose hunts and if the guys are working it and the birds don't come, then it's not their fault. But, if I can see that the guy is not really putting in the effort, well then screw him.

I don't like the guides that expect it. As stated in earlier posts, they should be figuring their rates to cover their expenses and keep a few in the pocket (for the day). If they don't do this and then expect a tip, well then that is on them - not you.

This is a question for anyone that may care to comment:

Its 5:30 am and a friend and I are standing in a boat launch parking area placing our gear into our Bass guides boat. His boat looks ready, his mind is clear, and everything is going as planned on schedule. Just prior to launching his boat I ask the guide if it is OK if we pay him for the day on the water and hand him an extra 100 dollars for the tip in advance for our outing. No discussion of landing fish all day or any request for DD monsters. Just two dudes ready to have a good experience being guided for a day on the water.

If you were the guide, how would you take this and what might be your reaction to being paid and handed a reasonable tip prior to your day of guiding?

Here is a break down I did a while back for anyone thinking guides are making a killing.

Boat payment for most is $700 month divided by 30 days is a daily rate of $23.50 per day
Truck Payment for most is $700 month divided by 30 days is a daily rate of $23.50 per day
Gas in the boat per day (in the summer time especially) $80 to $100 easily
Boat oil is 1 gallon for every 50 gallons of gas $30.00
Insurance on most boats $85 per month or $3.00 per day
Breakfast in the morning WITH A TIP $10.00
Lunch in the afternoon WITH A TIP $10.00
Bag of ice for our customers and water $10.00 per trip

So our daily fees just to get started are $210 per day

Most guides charge $400 to $450 per day on a full day 9 hours. That's $21 per hour not counting breaking any or replacing any lures or rods and reels that get broke or launch fees that some pay. So when I say Tips are not expected but appreciated now you can see why. This is if you have a $700 month boat payment or truck payment. It could get uglier than this for some. So after you take out daily expenses most of guides make less than $40K a year. Now some make more because they have sponsors to give them supplies such as rods and reels and baits and boats and such. But your average hard working guide makes $40K or less a year after expenses.

that would mean they make about 35,000 a year

Seems like you're trying to prove him wrong, but you just confirmed exactly what he said.

Here is a break down I did a while back for anyone thinking guides are making a killing.

Boat payment for most is $700 month divided by 30 days is a daily rate of $23.50 per day
Truck Payment for most is $700 month divided by 30 days is a daily rate of $23.50 per day
Gas in the boat per day (in the summer time especially) $80 to $100 easily
Boat oil is 1 gallon for every 50 gallons of gas $30.00
Insurance on most boats $85 per month or $3.00 per day
Breakfast in the morning WITH A TIP $10.00
Lunch in the afternoon WITH A TIP $10.00
Bag of ice for our customers and water $10.00 per trip

So our daily fees just to get started are $210 per day

Most guides charge $400 to $450 per day on a full day 9 hours. That's $21 per hour not counting breaking any or replacing any lures or rods and reels that get broke or launch fees that some pay. So when I say Tips are not expected but appreciated now you can see why. This is if you have a $700 month boat payment or truck payment. It could get uglier than this for some. So after you take out daily expenses most of guides make less than $40K a year. Now some make more because they have sponsors to give them supplies such as rods and reels and baits and boats and such. But your average hard working guide makes $40K or less a year after expenses.

I don't mean to pour water on this Skeeter but if your math is right that would only leave 190 dollars a day since most guides on Fork charge 400 a day. That would mean they would have to guide almost 210 days a year or just under 7 months. I doubt their are many guides on fork that do much over 180 days a year maybe a few may make 200 days. that would mean they make about 35,000 a year

^^^^

If you can afford the Guide, you should be able to afford to tip.