The above picture is of a drift boat trip I did on the Bow River in Alberta a while back but this is about a day I spent with a guide in a drift boat on the Saugeen River this past Friday. If you have never booked a drift boat trip do yourself or a friend a huge favour and book a drift boat trip today. There is no better way to cover water and when you pair a drift boat with a knowledgeable, friendly guide, good weather and cooperative fish the experience is extraordinary !
While on the river I chatted with my guide about how much time and effort goes into a trip and what the typical response is from clients. He explained that it has taken him years to learn the rivers he guides and the fishing holes in each and that each day is a very physical work out. Think about it. Drift boat guides are pulling oars all day – often against the current – so their clients can get into position to cast and frankly many of the drift boat guides we have in Ontario make it look easy. It isn’t. If the weather is tough or the client’s casting not strong or accurate the day is that much more difficult for the guide.
My guide told me that he had a regular client out earlier this month who landed more bass in one day than most people land in a season. The guide also got him into 2 muskie during the day, both over 40″. I smiled and said, “That must have resulted in one hell of a tip !”. To my shock he explained that his client did not tip him a penny and he then went on to explain that this was unfortunately not unique. Many clients he gets in his boat do not tip. Not even one dime. I was dumbfounded.
While we drifted down the river I watched how hard my guide worked while rowing and thought about what he said. I realized that when I buy a meal in a restaurant a waitress usually takes my order, carries a plate 40′, smiles, asks how my meal was and gets a 15% tip for her efforts. I even tip when the service is bad. However, for some reason many people who book drift boat guides do not tip a cent. They watch guides pull oars for 8 hours, get into more fish than most people see in a season and don’t tip a dime…
If you read this please consider doing what is right. If you book a fly fishing guide and you enjoy the day you should be tipping them at least 10% If they get you into fish and make sure you have a great day you should be tipping them 15-20% These guys work their tails off and I know how difficult it is to make ends meet in this industry. Yes, they do it for the love of the sport – but they also have bills to pay.
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