Over the years, I've fished with 10-12 guides on Fork, with family and clients. All of the guides fished, but made sure to cast carefully, usually had my client on the front deck with the guide, and I was on the back of the boat. I have only felt "front ended" by a young guide who no longer guides at Fork. We flipped trees all day. I asked him to help my wife. He ignored her all day. He caught 15 fish or so, I caught 3 or 4, my wife caught none. Probably should have said something early in the trip, but chose to not use him again. Of all the other trips, Clark, Mitchell, Allen, Pack, Wright, Margraves, Caldemeyer, Niggemeyer, each was a great experience. They all fished, but were attentive, worked their rears off, and took care of us. Some big fish, some lots of fish, some not many fish. But, each was a pleasure. I have not had a trip with those guys that we felt were anything but fair and equitable trips. I've fished with Tony and Eric many times and would again if Covid hadn't kick my rear financially.

In my experience, not only is it not normal for a guide to "front boat" you, its the rare exception. I have fished with many great guides over the years and most either don't fish or fish just enough to establish a pattern and them sit or just instruct. I had Brian Duplechain teach me sight fishing maybe 25 years ago and I caught 4 or 5 fish that morning that I couldn't even see. He's say ' See dat fish over there? Pitch over by that stump...Hop it ...Hop it. Set da hook !" He was kind enough to take the time to show me what he was seeing. I think I had 15 before lunch !
I had a guide on Rayburn specifically show my father in law and me a place to fish the next day after we fished with him . I think most guides are super hard working and want the customer to have a memorable experience. If I was getting front boated, I would have no problem speaking up.