Never hired them, but May 06, saw /talked to them on Portage from 3 Mile into Wolseley lake.

It was 2 guides and 4 fisherman. The guides carried all the gear across, except the guys fishing rods. That included coolers and live bait and motors/fuel cans. The customers just stood and watched, even though a few times it was obvious the guides could of used a hand. One of the cached boats hadn't been turned over and was full of water from recent rains. The two guides strained to pull it up and turn it over. I stepped in, the customers just stood there.

I was rigging my rods, so even though I was there first, I stepped aside and let them thru.

The four fisherman were what I call " Lodge" type guys. They thought I had lost my mind ;D They said they had gotten their Waldo limit everyday in a few hours and then back to camp for cards and refreshments.

I think you and the other seasoned fishing types here, could find/catch as many fish as they did, but would work harder for the privilege.

They told me they were working some reefs on the Eastern shoreline. They invited me to come down for a shore lunch but the wind prevented me from paddling down. It eventually drove them off lake as well.

I could see hiring them if time was a premium, you had physical problems or had little fishing experience, but you and SD among others here, would qualify as "guides" for probably the majority of people who come too the BW/Q.