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Tipping Your Guide

Steph Albano Category Blog Date 16 November 2023

Guides work incredibly hard to make an honest living and show you a great day in their favorite spots. Many of them have chosen to live near the fishing they love because of their passion for the river, the fish and the lifestyle. They are up early prepping the gear, picking up or making lunches and driving to meet you at the designated location. After they drop you off, they are cleaning boats and gear, gathering intel from other guides or the fly shop and in some cases driving a longer distance home than you might be. On their days off they are often found fishing to find the next ‘secret spot’ they might take you too.

When you consider how much to tip your guide, an easy place to start is something similar to tipping in a restaurant. It is a percentage of the rate you paid to book your guide. A few other things to think about when you decide how you want to tip:

If you have a great day on the water landing that large fish, making an extra long day of it, or learning a lot from your guides special instruction, a little extra tip goes a long way to thank them.
If your guide is one of the ‘best in the business’, it is likely that their regular customers probably tip them a little more than average. They are after all, a little better than average.
If you are fishing a world-famous piece of water and the lodge or fly shop is very particular about the guides they hire and the way their operation is run, it is likely most of the customers probably tip higher than average too.
Our economy has been crazy. Remember that most businesses have had to raise their prices. If you have tipped a standard amount in the past, it might be a good time to see how that amount stands up to published guide rates for the area you are going to.
Remember that the tip is a function of the rate for the day. If there are two of you sharing a guide or boat you can split it. If you are lucky enough to have your own guide for the day, you should tip them the full amount.

So, yes, tipping is entirely up to the angler. Just like in a restaurant, if you have a bad experience, you are not required to tip any certain amount. But if you have a favorite waiter, or someone goes out of their way to take care of you, a little extra goes a long way in making their day too.

Meet Melissa Seyler, Casting for Recovery

Steph Albano Category Blog Date 08 July 2023

From time to time we like to introduce you to some of the amazing women in flyfishing today. Meet Melissa Seyler! Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and was encouraged by neighbor/friend Dr. Shauna Williams to apply to participate in Casting For Recovery’s annual retreat in Challis, ID. Shauna, a long time CFR volunteer with Casting for Recovery, knew how much support, friendship and flyfishing fun Melissa would benefit from as a participant. In the beginning Melissa was apprehensive but she did apply and attend in 2010.

Getting in the car with the group to travel to Challis held a lot of nervous anticipation. As they arrived at the retreat and begin to meet all of the participants and leaders the tone changed. This group included many women that lead ‘brilliant, adventurous lives’. Getting to know these ladies inspired Melissa to be more courageous. She had never fished before but by the time she got through the retreat, she was ‘hooked’. It also inspired her to think about the life she wanted to lead moving forward.

Needless to say, the retreat itself was life changing for Melissa and she began to understand the healing power in flyfishing. Being out on the water, watching the fly turn over and peacefully land after your cast. It brought a sense of calm to her life and continues to do so today.

Melissa finished her Chemo and recognized that the entire retreat had brought so much to her life; all at no cost to her. Inspiration to get through the challenges she faced, as well as inspiration to live a life she wanted to moving forward. She wanted to give back. She came back in 2011 as a volunteer at the same retreat and stayed involved in the years to follow. Watching others experience the same peace and calm she found is something she really enjoys.

Today she is the Program Coordinator for the Southwestern Idaho chapter as well as an avid angler. If you attend one of the Southwestern Idaho CFR events you’ll know they have all of their ‘ducks in a row’. Melissa is behind the scenes working the fundraising events, organizing retreat dates, equipment, volunteers and participants. She truly wants to share the same magic that she found at her retreat in 2010.

As a first-year volunteer, I could see the magic Melissa and the entire team offered through the 2023 retreat. It brought an opportunity for a great break in a beautiful place, new friendships, information, contacts and of course all that flyfishing offers. Flyfishing always introduces a person to amazing people who do extraordinary things. Thanks to Melissa and this CFR team for making such a difference to those facing serious challenges in life. If you’d like to donate or volunteer you can reach this chapter through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CastingForRecoverySouthernIdaho

What is an ACH Transaction?

Steph Albano Category Blog Date 27 March 2023

ACH Transactions

With the cost of processing credit cards and new government regulations in 2022 surrounding Paypal, Zelle and other forms of electronic payment, ACH provides an improved lower-cost way to move funds electronically.

How does an ACH transaction work?

An ACH transaction is used by banks to move funds from one bank account to another. Simply sign an authorization form allowing the bank to move funds from your account to another and the bank uses a network monitored by the Federal Reserve to move the funds from your account to the business you are paying.

How do you use an ACH to make a payment on a Finatical Flyfishing trip?

Request the authorization form from Finatical Flyfishing. Sign and return it and share your bank and routing numbers through a secure means. The funds will be moved on the agreed upon date by Bank of Idaho at no cost to you.

Security

According to Bank of Idaho, “Paper checks continue to be the payment method most subjected to fraud. Checks typically have full account numbers, routing numbers, bank name, markers name, phone, address, and the makers signature all visible on the check, leaving all that info susceptible to fraud.” An ACH is more secure than a check and you provide your personal information to only the person you are doing business with. It is not floating through the mail.

Liz Bain, Mangrove Cay Club

Steph Albano Category Blog Date 14 April 2023

From time to time Finatical Flyfishing likes to introduce you to some of the amazing women in flyfishing today. The recent trip to Mangrove Cay Club in the Bahamas provided a great opportunity to get to know Liz Bain. Originally from Canada, Liz had a successful career in accounting and later software implementation as that industry unfolded.

Liz moved to Andros Island with her husband Alton and their baby daughter in 1990. At that time, Andros flyfishing lodges were kind of a new idea and fairly rustic. After managing such a lodge for about a year in the mid 1990’s , Liz and some investors found each other and started to plan Mangrove Cay Club.

As plans took shape, adding exceptional comfort, food and an evolved level of guiding to the Andros experience became the goal.

The first step was to find the right location. Liz wanted to be in the heart of the fishery, far enough from the Windward East coast to have sheltered boat access to the Bights and the West Side of Andros. Liz found the property on the North shore of Mangrove Cay overlooking the Middle Bight, one of the most remote and pristine locations in the saltwater fishing world.

All eight guest rooms are right on the water, surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. The view from your window or private deck is spectacular and only ten feet from the water. Every detail is in order; plush linens and towels, coffee delivered to your door every morning and a great deal of privacy. The main lodge offers wonderful ambiance for the incredible creations Chef Keith prepares for dinner each night. A freshwater swimming pool and self-help bar complete the property and all are linked by sand pathways.

Mangrove Cay Club trains and employs talented guides and owns and maintains fully equipped Dolphin flats boats. Finish your breakfast at the lodge, step off the dock onto your boat with your guide and enjoy a fabulous day on the water. Does life get any better? An average fish is around 3-5 pounds but you will certainly see and have shots at double digit bonefish during your stay.

Mangrove Cay club has now been operating since November of 2000 and has wonderful clientele who return each year. We can’t wait to come back in 2024 Liz, it is an honor to be on your calendar.

Amanda Bauman and Project Big Wood

Steph Albano Category Blog Date 29 January 2023

From time to time we like to feature some of the amazing women in fly-fishing today. Amanda Bauman is a guide at Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum, Idaho and guides on Finatical Flyfishing’s September women’s trip. The Sun Valley, Idaho area has a multitude of great water. Silver Creek is very well known but the Big Wood is also a great fishery and Amanda is at the forefront to protect this river when she isn't guiding.

Last June Amanda accepted a position as the Executive Director of Project Big Wood. The organization's mission is to restore and enhance the Big Wood River's environmental and recreational potential by activating community pride, educating residents and visitors, and engaging the river’s most passionate users. They have begun by launching Big Wood-311 - a landing place for the community to report or discuss concerning things they observe or hear on the river. This can be as simple as a great hatch you experience on the Big Wood to a backhoe being in the river; they want to hear it all. Project Big Wood hopes this will increase community engagement in river issues and become the first step to getting the info into the right hands. They are also working closely with the county on The Big Wood Atlas and we can't wait to see how that evolves throughout the spring. Go check out their website -it has great public resources and videos.

If you have not had a chance to fish with Amanda, she is a great person to get to know. Super fishy, athletic and a fun personality that will put you at ease and on the fish. She loves doing walk wade trips and says it allows her to really ‘lean into the trip and her clients day’. She is a great instructor on the water as well as knowing where to find fish. With her new role as Executive Director, Amanda will guide about 80 days in 2023 with many of those already booked. (She is on 2023 Finatical Flyfishing trips!) Amanda has a lot of respect for Silver Creek Outfitters and is honored to be a part of that team. She really enjoys her guide days on the water and if you are lucky enough to join her -you’ll agree it shows. Congratulations on all of your success Amanda. Can’t wait to see all you accomplish in your new role and hear more when we see you in September!