Rob,

I think the picture that you have painted is a very distinct possibility. The guide's frustration, exasperation, and fear of lost revenue may have caused some temporary panic as you have decribed.

I'm no math genius, but that same panic probably cost him $10K over the course of the next five years with me. I'm guessing that he may have had to cancel a few others booked after me in a similar manner. Let's say that there's a potential $20K lost because of panic. I'm thinking that $20K might get a pretty good, brand-spanking new, outboard hung on one's transom immediately. Penny wise? Pound Foolish? I plan my life. If for some reason my job is eliminated as many have been in this economy, I have saved my money to let me look for another for over a year one without living out of a box under a bridge. Same thing as the new outboard.

I get being human, human nature and making mistakes. There's not a convict in Huntsville that doesn't get it either. To me, this 'adventure' seemed to go a bit beyond a simple mistake. We are all responsible for the consequences of our actions. It's an order of magnitude. Stealing a pack of gum is a crime, much like homocide. Both mistakes. Both prone to the human condition. There are consequences for both. Each crime and consequence is very different.

Thanks for your opinions and thoughts on the matter. Just because I see things a certain way doesn't mean everyone feels the same way. I very respectfully disagree with you in that I should roll with it and let it go. In my opinion, this was a thermonuclear meltdown of basic common sense and ethics. I refuse to be tolerant of someone else's lack of fair play or inadequate planning.

Being a guide I can tell you that not many or if any of us have 20K sitting in the bank in these times. In the perfect world we all wished we had that kind of cash flow to save up for a new motor or a new hull anytime we needed one. This year alone, most guides I have talked to are down about 54% on bookings. I have been lucky to be up about 25% than I have been in the last 10 years. I must be doing something right but thats beside the point. If we had that kind of money then we are more than likely not going to be guides. As far as customer service from what I have seen when something like this happens, it may have been really hard for this guide to find a boat that was legal and had the permits needed to run an offshore trip. The CG have cracked down hard on us this year. These permits are not something you can run down and buy at Wal Mart or your local tackle shop. They are any where from 7k to 10k the last time I checked. Also with Snapper season open for the short time it is most if not all offshore boats that a legal are booked and running. Sounds like this guide tried to set you up on a fishing trip to help you some but was not what you was looking for just to help out and thought he was doing a good thing but in return it was a bad move. Some folks you can not make happy no matter what.

Thanks for the comments Capt. Lee.

Firstly I don't consider myself as someone that's difficult to make happy. I know you guys don't control the weather or a fish's appetite on a given day. Hell, I'm as easy-going as they come.

Secondly the economy hasn't always been in decline. The expression "save for a rainy day" holds court now. Blah...economics and politics aren't my thing.

The costs of permits are much like spare parts (or boats and motors)...it's the cost of doing business in my opinion. I wouldn't try and start up a one-man software industry to try and over-throw Bill Gates, but I do live within my means and have contingency for emergencies.

Thanks again!

Hornsup, I have been following this thread with interest as I am a flyfishing outfitter/guide here in Montana. It is inconceivable that the guide would not have done everything in his power to ensure you were able to go fishing.Did you receive a refund of any kind? It's better to risk losing a client by referring him to another guide than to ensure it by leaving him standing on the beach! I had to cancel a client once at the last minute due to a family emegency. I was unable to find another guide at the last minute. What I did was give a full refund of his deposit and offered a free one day guide trip if he re-booked for more than one day. He not only re-booked but has been a steady client for fifteen years.(he refused the free guide trip). I'm really sorry you had such a bad experience. I truly believe that most guides are hard working honest and dependable. I hope this doesn't sour you on hiring a guide in the future.

And that sir is why George Jones sung the song "Choices" .... Let me quote it for ya "I've had choices since the day I was born. There were voices that told me right from wrong. If I'd had listened no I wouldn't be here today living and dying with the choices I have made." Tight lines to ya sir & many bright sunrises on the water to ya!!!!



Rob

Llama,

I think we are on the same page here. No refund was offered.

I was thinking that the thing to do, after all other options had been completely researched, would be to offer us a free day the next time we book. How bad could it have been? We bait our own hooks, take our own fish off, release them (hence there is no fish cleaning). On top of that my son and I are both incredibly intelligent, engaging, and attractive. :-D

You are absolutely right about a high percentage of guides being honest and trustworthy. It is not, nor has it been my intent to paint them in another light.

It doesn't sour me so much on all guides, but it does prompt some thinking. (Once shame on you, twice shame on me)

As with all things in life it's a lesson learned and stored for future reference. I'll make decisions in the future based on this experience.

I have had Hornsup on my boat twice I can assure everybody on this board that he is one of the most reasonable persons I know�. The first time we fished we kicked [censored]� the second not so much I had a situation earlier this year where I had water in my fuel. We left the dock and about 10 minutes later the motor stopped. This gentleman that I took and his daughter, another little girl and the girls father� They took the day off and so on and so on� when we arrived at the dock he asked me if I knew another guide that could take them out�. I started making phone calls but to no avail everybody that I would trust was on trips. Made plans to use a buddies boat and we went that afternoon. I worked on my boat in the down time and thought I had it fixed ran great but when I tried to unload it the next morning it was doing the same thing�� it was my fault �. I called my guest and started working the phone again�. To no avail everybody was booked� I know this made me look like a dumb guide but my first priority was to get these people on a respectable boat with someone I trusted. It did not happen as it was father�s day and everybody else was booked that I trusted. I was not worried about losing a first time customer , but hoping those people could fish�. If I would have sent them with some fly by night and it was not good I would have offered them another trip on me� just the way it goes. I hope that Hornsup did not have to pay for the 3 days� that would have been wrong� I would call the guide and tell him I was very disappointed in the trip , if he did not offer something then I would look for another. As far as the guy that booked and the boat broke down while you were on the trip�. If you did not get to fish for your time paid then I am sorry, he should have never charged you� I understand when the fish do not work out I would think that by the end of the first day he could have found someone that could have accommodated for the next 2�. But I am not a saltwater guy and I know during certain seasons if you do not book months in advance you will not go fishing�

Excellent thoughts JV. Thank you sir.

Let there be no mistake, we have kicked (_|_) before, and we shall kick (_|_) again.

I'm pretty sure most of us on here could do better financially by putting away a years salary. But dam man, think of the boat you could have with just half a years pay! You can't take it with you! Heck, a good offshore rig might be a better investment than just about anything Wall Street might offer.

Sorry your vacation didn't turn out like you planned.