On the positive side, characteristics that are appreciated by guides:

• When weather conditions are unfavorable, the guy understands that fishing is likely to be poor and doesn't expect miracles;

• Someone who has an appreciation for the beauty of the land;

• Someone with an upbeat temperament, even when fishing is lousy;

• Someone who'll lend a helping hand with chores;

• A client who offers a pat on the back or a couple of words of appreciation when a guide does a great job in landing a fish or performs any of his other duties well above the norm;

• A fisherman who promises to send an item or photos and follows through on the promise.

Treat your guide as an important member of your team and chances are that he will produce good fishing for you, advises Chapralis.

But, what happens when, for one reason or another, your guide is uncooperative, surly, or totally inefficient?

"It's best in this situation," says Chapralis, "to mention it to the camp manager or owner. Let them know while you are at camp and maybe something can be done about it."

Too often, moan camp owners, we never hear about it, or, when we do, it's too late.

Native Floridians can certainly relate to some of the guide's gripes.

For example, how often have we heard a "snowbird"--or someone who recently relocated to Florida--tell us:

• How to run things the way they did in New York?;

• How much better things are in New Jersey than in Florida?;

• How much more money they made in Michigan?;

• How much nicer the weather is in Pennsylvania than in the south during the summer months?;

• People who talk "Brooklyn" ridiculing those of us who talk "south"?;

• How much smarter Boston people are than southerners?.

Oh, well, you get the idea.