Tipping Recommendations for Fishing Guides

While the packages we offer at Pybus Point Lodge for our wonderful Alaskan fishing vacations are all-inclusive, featuring everything from lodging accommodations and food through fishing equipment, boating equipment and much more, there's one important additional financial area we recommend our clients consider: Tipping their guides. While there's no technical requirement that you tip your fishing guide, this is a common courtesy that's often observed, and one you should prepare for.

Why is this, what sorts of amounts should you prepare to bring for fishing guide and other forms of tipping, and when is tipping appropriate or not appropriate? Here's a comprehensive primer.

Fishing Guide Life Isn't Glamorous

While it's true that many of our fishing guides take on this career because they simply love the outdoors and want to impart their knowledge and expertise on others, there are certain parts of this life that can be challenging. Fishing guides spend 8-10 hours on a boat or body of water during the day, and this sort of thing can take a toll.

In addition, fishing guides often spend much of the calendar year away from friends and family, living in a place that's very different from where they grew up or now reside. This also can be difficult, and while some people thrive on the freedoms of life on their own, fishing guides work hard to bring clients fish who take most of the credit for what's caught.

For this reason, even if your guide never says a word about tipping (and they won't, as it's not professional), this is a good practice to get into. While our fishing guides are paid quality rates that make their time worthwhile, the extra money they receive from tips can go a long way -- and just as importantly in many cases, will be appreciated and will make our guides feel like they're doing good work.

How Much Should You Tip?

Like with many other areas where tipping is common, the amount you tip your fishing guide or other wilderness guides will depend on a few factors.

One of the most important considerations is how much you spent on your trip. If you're employing guides for a multi-day trip or a weeklong vacation, or if your guide has done something special to help make your experience more enjoyable and successful than it otherwise would have been, tip accordingly.

In addition, however, the job performance of the guide should also be factored into your tip amount. If the guide is on-time and professional for every part of your trip, for instance, your tip should be on the higher end and should reflect a job well done. If the guide is often late, has a bad attitude, or otherwise doesn't provide a satisfactory level of service, your tip should be correspondingly lower.

If the guide does something above and beyond their required duties (perhaps they teach you an important skill that will help you keep fish alive after you return home from your trip), this is another reason to tip higher. Finally, if you can tell your guide is doing lots of extra work due to poor weather conditions, issues with a boat or other unexpected concerns, consider rewarding them with an increased tip.

Tipping Other Lodge Staff

What about tipping for staff in areas like the lodge, your seaplane flight to the lodge, or any others who assist you during your vacation? Once again, tipping needs and customs will vary between situations, and you should do some advanced research.

For instance, some hotels or resorts employ a specific no-tipping policy as part of their all-inclusive pricing. These entities will generally pay their staff higher wages than usual, which helps account for the fact that there's no need for customers to tip.

If you're staying at a lodge or other location that employs staff who take your fishing equipment out on the water, however, it's appropriate to tip them -- these are the people who will ensure your gear is cared-for properly and returned in good condition. In this case, follow any guidelines or customs employed by the lodge, or tip between $5 and $10 per person.

Even if you don't have any equipment to handle personally at your destination, a cabin attendant will likely be available while you're staying there. This is another job where it's appropriate to tip -- again, follow the guidelines of your lodging location for this sort of thing.

For more on tipping customs during your fishing vacation, or to learn about any of our Alaskan fishing tours or other wildlife adventures, speak to the staff at Pybus Point Lodge today.