The first guided trip I took was on the hump for fall Kings. The place was a madhouse full of boats, it rained sideways a good part of the day and the fishing stunk. I tipped the guide I think $25-$35. He was enthusiastic, worked his arse off on the sticks, jumped on top of a submerged log to try to get a wrapped fish off and was willing to answer all my stupid questions. It's like any service industry - good service gets rewarded.

If the guide is a sourpuss, complains of being tired and working too much and blasts you down the river then use your own judgement.

The best thing you can do is some reasearch beforehand on who might be a good guide for a given river. I've fished with some guides only to wish I'd known more about them and their tactics before booking the trip.

Bruce