The Art of Tipping in Fly Fishing: Beyond the Dollars

By Dana Lattery, Guide on the Bow River, Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters

At Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, we have a motto that guides everything we do: “Love People Catch Fish.” It’s more than just a catchy tagline; it’s our north star on every trip we guide. My 14 years of guiding on Alberta’s Lower Bow River have taught me a lot—not just about fly fishing, but about people. Fly fishing is, after all, as much about the people holding the rods as it is about the fish we're trying to fool.

One of the most common (and sometimes misunderstood) parts of the guide-client relationship is tipping. I want to take you beyond the surface-level idea of tipping as a financial exchange and dig into what it truly represents: gratitude, respect, and the mutual appreciation that makes a day on the water unforgettable.

Why Tip Your Guide?

Tipping has been a cornerstone of the guiding tradition for years, and it’s not just about saying, “Hey, thanks for putting me on fish.” It’s a gesture of appreciation for your guide’s hard work, their ability to teach, their patience, and the energy they pour into making your day special.

At Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, our philosophy is simple: it’s not just about netting fish, but about creating moments that stick with you long after the river fades into your rearview mirror.

A tip reflects all of that effort. Did your guide make you laugh? Did they teach you something new? Did they keep a smile on their face even when the fish weren’t cooperating? These are the things a tip acknowledges.

Guiding Isn’t a Year-Round Job

Here’s something that not every client realizes: guiding is a seasonal gig.

The rivers don’t flow all year. Seasons change, temperatures drop, and eventually, the fishing slows down or stops altogether. For most guides, the "off-season" isn't a cozy break—it’s a scramble to find work that can carry them through the months when they’re not on the water.

Guiding isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle. The best guides don’t punch in and out; they dedicate themselves to the craft, constantly learning the river, its habits, and its secrets. These are the folks who spend their winters tying flies, studying weather patterns, and dreaming about the first break of spring.

But here’s the hard truth: it’s tough to make a full-time living in a seasonal industry. For many guides, tipping makes a huge difference—not just in how they feel about their day, but in their ability to continue pursuing their passion year after year.

When you tip a guide, you’re not just saying thank you for today. You’re investing in their ability to stay in the industry, to keep perfecting their craft, and to keep showing up every season with that same love for the river that drew you to them in the first place.

Understanding “Motivation Crowding”

Let’s talk about something called motivation crowding. It’s a fancy term, but it basically describes what happens when external rewards (like tips) start overshadowing the internal passion that drives someone to do what they love.

For many of us guides, the joy of sharing our love for fly fishing and connecting people to the river is why we wake up before dawn and haul ourselves out there every day. If we start thinking about tips as the sole measure of our success, we risk losing sight of the things that truly make this career rewarding.

Here’s the thing: guiding is an act of passion. We do it because we genuinely love the work—being out on the water, sharing our passion, and creating connections that go far beyond the fishing. But when clients acknowledge that effort with a thoughtful tip, it validates our dedication and encourages us to keep doing what we love.

Tips for Clients: How to Evaluate Your Day

If you’re wondering how much to tip, here are some things to consider as you reflect on the day:

• Effort and Enthusiasm: Did your guide go all-in to make sure you had the best possible experience? Maybe they took the time to teach you a new casting technique or paddled upriver to get to a secret honey hole.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Did your guide keep things upbeat and entertaining even when the fish weren’t biting? Guides often have to think on their feet, adjusting strategies to give you the best chance of success.
• Teaching and Sharing Knowledge: Did your guide teach you something new about casting, entomology, or reading water?
• The Extras: Did your guide go above and beyond? Maybe they packed your favorite snack or took time to snap a great photo of you and your catch.
• Your Own Attitude: Guides notice when clients are engaged, willing to learn, and respectful of the guide’s role. Did you try to untangle your own line or show patience when things didn’t go as planned?

Tips for Guides: Staying Focused on What Matters

Guides, we get it—tips are part of the job. But staying focused on the bigger picture can help keep the passion alive and the experience rewarding. Here are a few reminders to keep guiding from becoming “just another gig”:

• Stay Rooted in Your Passion: Remember why you became a guide in the first place. Whether it’s the love of the water, the thrill of the catch, or the joy of teaching others, hold onto what drew you to this profession.
• Set Personal Goals for Each Trip: Instead of focusing on the financial reward, challenge yourself to teach a client something new, create an unforgettable memory, or improve a specific skill.
• View Tips as Appreciation, Not Entitlement: A tip is a reflection of your client’s gratitude, not an expectation. Focus on delivering a great experience, and the tips will follow naturally.
• Practice Gratitude: Every day on the river is a gift. Even on the tough days, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the water, the excitement of a client’s first catch, or the connections you’re building.
• Find Balance: Guiding can be all-consuming. Make time in the off-season to recharge, refine your skills, and reconnect with the reasons you started guiding in the first place.

Building a Culture of Appreciation

Tipping in fly fishing is about more than money. It’s about showing your guide that you see and appreciate their hard work, whether it’s through a tip, a handshake, or even just a heartfelt “thank you.”

At Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, we’re committed to the idea that people come first. Through that focus, everything else—fish in the net, stories to tell, and memories to cherish—will naturally follow.

Let’s keep celebrating the unique bond between guides and clients. When we all remember to “Love People Catch Fish,” we leave the river with something priceless. And maybe, just maybe, a great fish story to tell.