Are you expected to tip a guide and if so how much is customary?

Thanks

Depends on how he treats you during the day. I don't base a tip on fish but on his whole attitude over the course of the day. Fish or no fish!

You should tip them the same amount as anyone that performs a personal service. Waiters, bell hop at hotel, valet, etc.
If they had a good day on the water and the fish cooperated and you all have smiles on your face for years to come then you should tip more.
But a guide can not make the fish bite all the time. A guide can't stop the wind from blowing, and he can't make them hold on to the lure forever so that the fish goes from nibbling or playing with it until you are sure he's got it.
A guides job is to take you fishing and to "TRY " to get you bit. If he works hard and puts forth the effort. Then you owe him minimum 20%. If it was a trip of a lifetime, then tip him like it was a trip of a lifetime.

My [censored] meter is set pretty sensitive, so guides who are moving around even when you're on fish or are more interested in catching fish themselves, etc. will get their prearranged fees, nothing more.

That said, those guys are the exception to the rule and most will bust their humps to get you on fish AND make sure you have a good time in the process. Those guys get taken care of because I want come back!!

On 400 trip I usually tip 40 to 50 dollars

If I take a guide trip I am paying the guide a agreed fee for an agreed service. It could be just catching fish, or it could be teaching specific aspects of fishing or using electronics. With me that means the guide needs to work hard to fulfill that service and be friendly/show a good attitude. If the guide goes beyond that, then a tip is certainly warranted. If the guide only fulfills the minimum requirements then a tip is not warranted.

If you decide to tip, there is no set minimum. 20% is probably the norm but the amount is entirely up to the individual and how much extra effort or service the guide provided.

Guides usually tip me ................

If you had an enjoyable and pleasant experience, a $50 tip is customary for a $350 guide trip. If you don't feel there is a need to tip, then don't.

I went with a guide on Fork about 6 or 7 years ago that expected me to give him a tip, even though he did a piss poor job that day. His comments and body language at the end of the trip got him "ZIPPO", and I'm not talking lighters. If he would've kept his mouth shut, I still would have tipped him. When he told me that he was used to getting at least 15% for a tip, I thought I would lower his average percentage a little. Some just don't know when to say when.

I tend to agree. He charges a fee for what he feels fair for his service.

I give Red only the tip.......

Sometimes, I feel like just sending them a tip. It's gotta be one of the toughest jobs around.
I'm struggling myself, just to be able to afford buying 5 gallons of gas at a time, for my 21 year-old Ranger.

I always tip a minimum of 20% of the guide fee. More if we really smoke them or the guide goes out of his way to make the trip enjoyable, good fishing or not. A guide can only put you around the fish. He can't make them bite and he can't catch them for you.

I've never had a bad guide trip with the ones I have researched and visited with extensively before our trip. I have booked a few big names on a whim without due diligence and been disappointed. Even stiffed a couple of them on tip because they were horrible and acted like I was paying to watch them fish! Do your research ahead of time and you should never have a bad experience with a guide.

You go to an restaurant and order a meal for a arranged price correct? Do you not tip at a restaurant either, because the price of the meal is printed on the menu? Since the waiter just fulfilled the minimim by taking your oder, bringing to your table, refilling your drinks cleaning up your mess etc. You are saying you do not tip them either?

If the waiter or waitress only does the minimum (take order, deliver food) they will get little to no tip. If they do extra like check back on drinks, offer refills, check on how we like the food, be friendly and do what they can to ensure we have an enjoyable experience then they get a nice tip, usually 20% plus.

To me tips are for service that is above and beyond the norm. They should not be considered automatic. If you want a tip from me, put in the extra effort and you will get a good tip. Only do the minimum and you will get little to no tip. Just the way it is.

Why do you have to tip in the first place?

Didn't you cover the "tip" by paying the $400?

If I paid him $500 would I have still have to tip him?