Guided Float fishing trips
- This topic has 38 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated Jan 26, 2011 at 6:44 pm by
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PS: I will be in Glacier National Park, Waterton and Banff in July. Do you know any good guides up in that area?
PM sent Bob.
Interesting that you should ask this Joel. My son is a guide in western Montana and it seems that every year when he is ‘back East’ for the holidays we end up in a conversation about guide prices. Most of it is me ranting about the rapid escalation and he about the rising cost of gas, shuttles, etc.
This past summer, a buddy and I paid $500 plus $100 tip to float the South Fork. I think that is outrageous actually – and our guide was a great guy who worked really hard and we caught a lot of fish. But that’s not the point. I am convinced that if outfitters had put together some ‘deals’ in recent years, the total number of guide days would not have dropped so dramatically in the economic downturn. I’ve seen shops drop from putting 7 boats a day on the water in 2000 to 2 boats a day last summer. There is a price point at which the average angler will/can no longer pay.
As far as the tip goes, don’t get in the boat if you don’t intend to tip $100 for a good guide day. You only see them keeping you alive on big Western rivers, putting you on fish and untangling your bird’s nests. You have no idea what these guys do that you don’t see. Before you meet them in the morning they have probably shopped for lunch, arranged a $30-40 shuttle, gassed up and bought those flies and tippet you are going to put in the trees!
I do think guides should earn their tips. I’ve floated with guides all over the world. Some were really good and some I had to teach to tie knots. A good guide can make for a wonderful day. They keep you safe and comfortable, feed you, are hopefully good company in the boat and tell you something about the environment you’re fishing.
Hi Joel
NZ guides don’t float but some will drive pretty decent distances to get onto fish. For a walk guide expect to pay 650-800NZD. (thats 490-600US) a day.
Just for a comparison.Joel……….we charge $425 for full day float trip. Everything but license. is provided, $375 for a walk/wade.
However, the fishing in your neck of the woods is far better, and the BB is such a sweet ride, you could get away with charging 5 bills………..easily.
The price depends on where your at and what your doing…$500 a day plus tip seems is the going rate for the guides we book out of Bozeman…A guide boat in Arkansas usually runs around $350 plus tip. Boot Guides usually charge a bit less than boat guides…
This is one of the reasons I will be making these Ozark Fisheries a staple of my destination fishing.
I just booked two days with a guide in New Orleans for redfish at $525 per day. And, he “will stop on the way so we can get ourselves (and him) some lunch!”
I will be fishing in Montana in August with the same guide I had last year. Obviously I think he is good. His rate is $400.00 for two. I will tip 20% if he does the same job he did last year. Otherwise, he’ll get 15%. Don’t like tipping, but that is standard in the U.S.
He supplies rods, flies and lunch.
I know in Fla. last year they got $500.00 per day plus a tip. I think it is more expensive to fish in Fla. because of the the boat and 150 Hp outboard on the stern. If fuel keeps going up, prices will rise.
I mentioned tipping in the U.S. being standard, but I know restaurants in Europe pay waiters well and no tip is expected. I guess that is another story though.Last summer I paid 500 for a 12hr stripped bass trip in Maine fishing out of center console skiff. That included all gear (both light and fly tackle) bait/flies, salt liscense and a choice of one “big” shore lunch or a grazing type set up where light stuff was available for the duration of the trip. Trip was open for 1-3 anglers.
For western river floats my history is on the Missouri near Craig. $475 for a “full day” for two guys. Sandwhiches and soda provided. We floated from the dam down to Stickney (which I’m told is really a two day float) and the guide worked his butt of to keep us in “fresher water”, educate us on technique, local history and probably most important to me points to be able to come back the next day and access for wade fishing including stopping on the drive back to town to poin out specific pulloffs and landmarks. Needless to say not only did he get a decent tip but we also treated him to dinner although he would only let us pay for his first round of drinks.In my current financial situation 300-325pp for a day before tip does not seem excessive but the guy/gal
Interesting read.
When I am guiding in Texas I charge $375 for a full day for one or two on the boat which includes flies, leader, tippet, drinks and lunch.
Interesting thread!
Question: Wouldn’t an “independent” guide have a price (and profit margin) advantage over a guide that is affiliated with a flyshop? For example, he/she would not have to share a portion of the guide fee with the sponsoring flyshop?
Caveat: Obviously the guide that is affiliated with a flyshop has an instant network of potential clients. I’m assuming he/she is also covered under the shop’s liability insurance….or does a signed waiver make this moot?
Interesting thread!
Question: Wouldn’t an “independent” guide have a price (and profit margin) advantage over a guide that is affiliated with a flyshop? For example, he/she would not have to share a portion of the guide fee with the sponsoring flyshop?
Caveat: Obviously the guide that is affiliated with a flyshop has an instant network of potential clients. I’m assuming he/she is also covered under the shop’s liability insurance….or does a signed waiver make this moot?
Drifter, I can only speak for the Montana guide industry. Guides don’t set the prices here, outfitters do so whether you are a independent guide or work full time for that outfitter the price of the trip would be the same. The difference might be what the outfitters take is from that guide.
Joel
As an independent guide I feel the shop guide can clear more income on his trips.
I pay fees for substantial liability and medical insurance, commercial vehicle insurance because I transport clients to the rivers. There are state and county business taxes on my equipment, boats, rods, waders and such. Business cards and brochures to pass out at the shows and presentations. I can keep going on my expenses, but you get the feeling.I worked as a “Shop Guide”, and the income was better besides a whole lot less headaches.
Wow. should have followed my Dad and been a mechanic, just paid $94 an hour to have my car repaired. A full day with him costs $750 plus parts.
I just booked two days with a guide in New Orleans for redfish at $525 per day. And, he “will stop on the way so we can get ourselves (and him) some lunch!”
Michael, Who did you book your trip with?
Actually we are fishing with Uptown Angler on 2/25 and 2/26. I hope it’s warm and the fishing is good, but I began eating and drinking my way through New Orleans more than 30 years ago so even if it’s cold, I’ll find something to do. 😉
First thread back, after a couple of years not not being around this place.
As for the White yep $350 is standard, including flies leaders and tippet. I’m not sure how long it can last at that, but there has been an influx of new guys seeking business, plus more of the bait guides wanting a share of the dollar, doing it for way less.
The latter is interesting in that these guys generally can’t cast, cant teach and wander into the shop the day before your trip and ask me what flies are working.
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