Guides

[lindy_rig]

I've been going up to Lake of the Woods for 6 years now and I am curious about tipping Guides and what other people tip. We usually stay with the resorts and usually tip the guide a fair amount of money with the amount dependant upon the result but there is always something that gets given. Is this the right thing to do and how much is a fair amount to tip?

[Beast26]

I've been going up to Lake of the Woods for 6 years now and I am curious about tipping Guides and what other people tip. We usually stay with the resorts and usually tip the guide a fair amount of money with the amount dependant upon the result but there is always something that gets given. Is this the right thing to do and how much is a fair amount to tip?

It depends on the service IMO. I always tip something but if the service is really darn good I have a tendency to tip more. Kind of like when you go to the bar.....the better the service the better the tip....and it helps if she's good looking!

[bluewater2]

All right, I have to ask, what is concidered a guide? You Have to take a track vec. They drop you off and say good luck, come back 3 to 4 hours later ask you how your doing. You say not good and they say ya. everones not doing very good. Come back in early evening to pick you up. Go back to resort, go to bar and other people did'nt do so bad.Or you drive out and samething.Is that a guide?

I"ve only been up there a few times and I do tip if I ride the track vec. But are they guides?

[wahoo]

Usually fish at Zipple Bay resort. great people. However, 2 weeks ago we drove to our rental at Zipple Bay Resort which had holes open and heat on and never saw the people the entire day for several days. No problem as we don't really care if they check on us or not--we just fish. So, really no guiding whatsoever, they (who we never saw) just had the heat on and holes open. Caught some fish, and if we wanted to move we just tell the office. (we didn't.)

So, no "guide" tips. We did tip in a general sense for nice service in our cabin, the bait shop service, etc.

[Walleyehooker]

I dont do bombers but a ride to the house doesnt require a tip as far as Im concerned.There isnt much guiding involved in scattering ice houses out on the lake. However a few fishing tips and checking in to see if things are OK and friendly service might get a tip.Most resorts do pretty well up there so I would think they pay a decent wage.It might be cold but running a bomber or plow truck isnt all that hard of work.

[fishwater]

My general rule is that if the person doesn't have the time to sit down and fish a bit, the person isn't likely going to get much of a tip off the bat. However if your in a rental and they move you if you're not marking much of anything, or my favorite - if you ask, make sure your in the same general depth/area if you DID get into fish and your using their service for a couple more days. I'll tip for that sort of service. Nothing worse than getting rotated into little league when the bite is hot..

[raptile130]

These people u are talking about are in my mind a guide in the fact is that they strategically place thier houses on certian areas which they figure the fish are and generally are. But having said that like any fisherman knows you don't catch fish everytime so the best advice is just tip them what feels appropriate! Also a bad day on the lake beats work all to hell!

[LakeoftheWoods]

yeah, I agree, i don't believe that they just scatter houses out and let you go. thats like saying a launch just goes and plops down in any random spot in the summer time.

[LOWinEYEin]

Yeah-"Most" of the guides don't just plop the shack down any old place. There is a reason why the shack is in that spot-they want you to catch fish. I usually tip the last day-I get a collection from the guys, and the last driver gets it-if of course the service was good.

[only ice]

Yeah-"Most" of the guides don't just plop the shack down any old place. There is a reason why the shack is in that spot-they want you to catch fish. I usually tip the last day-I get a collection from the guys, and the last driver gets it-if of course the service was good.

I might be wrong, but I think when you tip one driver, they split it up with all the drivers that were there on your stay.

[LOWinEYEin]

Yeah-That is what I am thinking too. I haven't really asked though.

[only ice]

Yeah-That is what I am thinking too. I haven't really asked though.

WhaTT, I see your from Cottage. I have a son that lives down there. He will be going to LOTWs for his first time on Feb. 7th. Going across the lake and fish the Reefs. Him being a Metro fisherman he is in for a big surprise. Well Im off to LOWs right now for the weekend. Have a good one.

[LOWinEYEin]

Ice-Yeah, your Son will be in for a good surprise fishing the reef-its like fishing the frozen ocean. Hope your trip is great. We leave next week.

[InTheSchool]

Most resorts do pretty well up there so I would think they pay a decent wage.It might be cold but running a bomber or plow truck isnt all that hard of work.

I would respectfully disagree with you on both accounts. This recession thingy has put several resorts into chapter 11. And they never did pay very well before that. Moving houses because someone defecated or vomited in the holes, unthawing and filling propane with windchills -50, fixing equipment on the ice that should have been replaced 10 years ago is not my idea of easy work. That being said most drivers aren't guides. There is usually one or two in charge of the ice for the season and they decide where the houses are. Generally the people at the front desk decide which house you fish in and that is determined by when you want to go out and the luck of the draw. If you use a resort that makes you a hot lunch on the ice then those guys cook it within a few hundred yards of where you are fishing. Also, some fishermen use their cells to order special deliveries from the lodge. All conditions that require tips. So one size probably doesn't fit all.

[Big A]

Its like tipping your waitress.

If they do a good job and you like them. Tip accordingly.

[charterboss]

A typical day in the life of a "winter guide". 5-6 drivers taking care of 80-120 people. Day begins around 530 a.m. check oil/fluids/tires cleats etc., fire up rigs to get them ready for your warm ride to the heated shack. Scooping minnows, gathering garbage bags etc for each house. 1st departure of guests (around 700 am) drop them off, insure house is banked, heat running, bait dropped off, holes are open and fishable. If not fix what you can to get the people fishing. Head back to the lodge for your next run. Return to lake get that group set up and fishing. Attack what ever situation arose over the night, ex: new ice heaves that need to be cropped down. Any ice breaks that need to be avoided and x'd off until refreeze. Start moving todays list of houses, bump em drill em bank em. Some days that move is only a few hundred yards others that move is miles. Do a morning check on the people (done to visit with people/clarify fishing techniques/and to see in which direction the fish pack you on currently on is moving. Back to moving houses or propaneing houses. Or returning to the lodge to get whatever the guests forgot on the table of their cabin on the way out the door. Do a pre lunch check. Grab a quick bite if you have time. Then back to more moving of houses/sleepers etc. Do an afternoon check. Try and finish the days need list on moving houses and propane and dragging trails to get things ready for the following morning. Each of you may only see the "guide" 2-3 times a day for 5-10 min. but when you multiply that by the average resort size of 40 houses it adds up to a fairly large part of the day. 430p.m start picking people up to return to the lodge. Upon the last group drop off begins the cleanup--gathering the days garbage/parking rigs (maybe somee quick maintenance) then off to cleaning fish. Clean fish to and average of 63o-700pm. (more oten than not on a good fish day that goes till 800pm. Make plans for the next day and so on. So the average day in the life of a guide is around 13 hrs.

So yes on one side of the fence it doesnt look like they do much- cause you dont see them that often--But trust me on the other side of the fence is a very busy and long day. So spend a few minutes while you are in the house and think about if you where in charge of 40 houses and taking care of 80 plus people and then ask yourself if a couple of extra bucks in those guys pocket is worth it or not. The goal of everyone that works the ice is to try and all the people on fish all the time. So you may not see them, but they are working on making your trip the one full of memories.

[herefish101]

Perfectly written "chatrerboss", my buddies and I do a trip up to LOTW every year, we leave tonight actually, we always tip the drivers(guides). Even if you look at it as "your just getting a ride", most people would tip a taxi driver, so why not the driverfrom the resort. Some people just try to justify being cheap.

[Walleyehooker]

Ok its probably a little more work and longer hours than I thought.But I worked construction all my life in very cold and hot weather so I dont look at it as that hard of work.Sorry.As far as house placement I see most resorts do the same thing every year.Zipple puts their houses out and goes west and back.Adrians heads north and back.Im sure there are a few that search a little more than others.And usually that works on most years.I guess my point is there is a big difference between spending a day in a boat with a guide then spending a few minutes with someone hauling you out to a fish house.Also seems like everyone wants a tip these days and thats OK if you earn it.But just like a resturant you have to impress me to get one.Not just do your job.I would think a friendly,knowledgeable person could still make pretty good money for the area.You arent going to make rocket science or brain surgery money but you wont need a college education either.

[Walleyehooker]

I will also say and have witnessed that the ice fishing has been tougher the last couple years up there.Seems somewhat due to the lack of a shiner run.They are out there somewhere as the summer bite has been phenominal the last 2 years.Im guessing tips come pretty easy when people are smileing and fishing is good and buckets are full.But when fishing gets tough thats when you have to go the extra mile to get one.

[charterboss]

I totally agree with you on your statements walleyehooker. Yes in the summer you have 9hrs of face time with your guide. Winter maybe 1/2 hr at best (not counting drive time-since you really cant have much of a conversation in a bomber).This topic comes up several times a year and I just wanted to give a plausible explaination of what the guys are doing that people may not notice. I applaud you on your work in the construction business, I too have done some time in the field so am aware of what it takes. As I also applaud those that work very hard in the various occupations that have chosen.

Yes people in certain trades expect tips-and yes they must work for them. I'm not saying that it is mandatory. And unless you go the extra mile then forget it. But also those in the trades that receive tips also earn at a lesser daily or hourly rate since the tips are factored into the wage structure.

The resorts do work in more of a grid system in the winter time. Bombers dont work well in a plowed road area situation as well as plow roaded programs dont work tthe best with bomber trail area. So for the ease of the common good we work in respective areas. Thats why one resort maybe miles shallower or ddeper than another one depending on the where the school of fish is that they are working on. Several hundred houses cant be located at the gap lets say, for both space and the fact that the fish would be driven out of the area within hours. Much like when we go to the reefs. Each resort that goes there works a different reef. Again both for space to fish and the ability to target the fish on that specfic reef.

My intent was to give a little background to the behind the scenes work. Next year or this year when the subject comes up , I may state this again but for now I've had my say and wish all great fishing success

[fishwater]

A typical day in the life of a "winter guide". 5-6 drivers taking care of 80-120 people. Day begins around 530 a.m.

So by the numbers, for winter house fishing you really don't need to make a huge tip to make an impact for the guys driving. If you've got 40 houses running with a 100 or so guys, if each house gave a $20, you'd have 800 in tips for the whole day? Give them $40 if you did well I guess? That'd leave a good $100 tip for each "guide." Individually it's a small amount, easy enough for most of us.

[LakeoftheWoods]

I would respectfully disagree with you on both accounts. This recession thingy has put several resorts into chapter 11. And they never did pay very well before that. Moving houses because someone defecated or vomited in the holes, unthawing and filling propane with windchills -50, fixing equipment on the ice that should have been replaced 10 years ago is not my idea of easy work. That being said most drivers aren't guides. There is usually one or two in charge of the ice for the season and they decide where the houses are. Generally the people at the front desk decide which house you fish in and that is determined by when you want to go out and the luck of the draw. If you use a resort that makes you a hot lunch on the ice then those guys cook it within a few hundred yards of where you are fishing. Also, some fishermen use their cells to order special deliveries from the lodge. All conditions that require tips. So one size probably doesn't fit all.

I would say you are right on.

[Walleyehooker]

Well said Charterboss. Just from your posts on here I think you try to go the extra mile for your customers if time permits. Even though I know after about the first week the fun wears off and the long hours kick in and it is tough to keep a smile on your face for everyone. When I get back up that way Ill try to look ya up and buy you a couple beers.

[Fichinforfun]

This is why I use a smaller service with more experience like Sweet Sleepers. We like Steve, know what we are going to get from Steve even if it is hard time for missing a fish, and know he will be around and will take care of us. Good service every year and good tip every year,

[bak2MN]

Charterboss what resort do you work out of if I may ask? No reason just wondering. Thanks and keep up the good work. Bak

[charterboss]

Fichinforfish -Currently I hang my hat at Borderview-but I have ties one way or another with all the resorts here. When you boat guide you end up pulling trips for guests from all resorts.

Walleyehooker-- youre on anytime is a good time to chat fishing and have a cold one

fishwater-Your right it doesnt take much to make an effect any amount is greatly appreciated, however the rate for those that do tip is much closer to 5.00 per person per day in winter and honestly its around 1/2 the customers that do tip. Times are tough for all and we understand that. We are just happy that you all make the trip in the first place so that we have a job to go to. Cause lets face it without all of you i'm in the unemployment line

[bturck]

I've had the pleasure of knowing Charterboss for several years now, even though he no longer hangs his hat where I stay. I try to get over to see him when I'm up just because he is personable and willing to share info regardless of where you are booked. It is always a great time when you can spend it on LOW and all of the guys that I've known through the years really want all of us to have a safe and memorable trip. Hats off to those who patrol the ice, and maintain the landings/roads etc. when I come up to spend several hundred dollars it nice to know that my business is appreciated and I can say I have never been disappointed. Headed back Monday for another go around. Hope those of you wetting a line this weekend come back with a bucket full.....

[groove]

Here's a tip, tip the first day, maybe get better service while you are out there (which counts).

[Zaraspooks]

Charterboss-

I'll be staying with Borderview 1/20-1/22. Fishing two days and staying three nights. Hope to meet you.

[theicehooker]

I would say most of the work your outfitters do go un-noticed. I saw last Sunday a pack of about 40 to 50 houses getting moved from one part of the road out further to where the fish were more abundant. All those holes getting drilled and cleaned out. Banking the houses with snow. Cleaning them out etc.