Fishing Guides

[chrisb]

I've been talking with my dad lately about him and my brother coming to WA for a fishing trip. He mentioned he'd like to go with a guide. We're not sure of what we want to fish for or where yet (no fly-fishing so we have the how taken care of) but it got me thinking... I have no idea what to look for or ask when shopping around. We're looking at doing this next year at the earliest so i'm not in a rush to find "any" guide right away I'd rather find "the" guide that I'm comfortable with.

For those of you who are guides or have used guides what things should I ask, look for, red flags, etc.? What additional costs or hidden fees should i consider when looking at the prices?

Recommendations are welcome also.

[h20hunter]

Depends on their sealegs and desire....my first two suggestions are sturgeon down on the C or tuna off the coast depening on timing.

[WSU]

There are a lot of options that would be great.  Do you want to fish for salmon?  I can think of a few guides that you would be pretty much guaranteed to have a great time and kill some fish.

[Holg3107]

I have a trip set up with Nate Treat for the end of December steelheading in the OP. I will let you know how it goes with him when I get back. I am the type of guy who will pay more for small groups over the party boats with 15 random people. When you have a guide working with 2 people it is his sole purpose to put YOU on fish not the whole boat.

[wildmanoutdoors]

For general Salmon or Steelhead in the SW region call Clancy Holt. He is the best!

For the OP call Bob Ball or Larry Scott! Cant be beat PERIOD!

Im not knockin, but dont hire a guy from N Seattle for a trip on the Olypenn. Example:
Feb is a great month for GIANT Steelies on the Calawah. Not many out of towners can get ya down that river!

Local knowledge and fishing everyday is a HUGE benifit.   

The 3 mentioned here book easily a year in advance. You have time to get in with a great guide. A great guide dosent have to advertise!!!! He already is swamped And no hidden fees apply.

[JBar]

Check out Rob's guide service! Robert is top notch on the river 

Robsguideservice.com

[_TONY_]

For general Salmon or Steelhead in the SW region call Clancy Holt. He is the best!

For the OP call Bob Ball or Larry Scott! Cant be beat PERIOD!

Im not knockin, but dont hire a guy from N Seattle for a trip on the Olypenn. Example:
Feb is a great month for GIANT Steelies on the Calawah. Not many out of towners can get ya down that river!

Local knowledge and fishing everyday is a HUGE benifit.   

The 3 mentioned here book easily a year in advance. You have time to get in with a great guide. A great guide dosent have to advertise!!!! He already is swamped And no hidden fees apply.

+1 on Bob and Larry...

These days with the explosion of part time/weekend guides, you have a lot of options. That being said, nothing beats the time on the sticks and the thousands of trips down these two have logged on those rivers...

If you're lucky, Larry will row ya down the bear creek section of the 'duc at 2 boards in a hard boat... 

[big J]

+2 for bob.

[Holg3107]

Honestly I was looking at Larry to take us out but his web site doesn't work and I was unsuccessfull in getting ahold of him. If my other plan falls through I will see what he has available though. Good info so far guys!

[Button Nubbs]

One of the holts on the cowlitz for steelhead. Easy fishin and that guy can hook em.

[Bone_Collector]

I would ask the guide how long they are out on the water for starters because some of them spend all day others put in their 8 hours and call it. You may want to check and see if they provide lunch as well. You can always ask for references as well. The other thing to ask is how long they have been guiding for.

Good Luck

B_C

[chrisb]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

Yes most likely salmon fishing, i don't think any of us have sea legs worth speaking of so as much as i want to catch tuna it's likely a no go.

SO lots of recommendations so far but no mention of price.... what kind of price range should we expect to be quoted for a day?

[Bone_Collector]

A well known and high end guide will be between $185 and $250 per person. the fly by nite operations are in the $100 to $150 range.

B_C

[Kc_Kracker]

to look for the best guides in this state look here www.gamefishin.comm here is the sub forum http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer

either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys

[RadSav]

Really need to know what type of boat you are looking at.  Open water charter, river sled, drifter.  Each have a different criteria of research and a different set of skills.  I find drifters to be the most enjoyable, but what turns my crank may not be what you are looking for.

Would also be good to know how far you are willing to drive for the best experience available.

[WSU]

to look for the best guides in this state look here www.gamefishin.comm here is the sub forum http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer

either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys

Phil is a great guide and I would go with him again in a second. 

[RB]

If your looking for Saltwater fishing Jambo's Sportfishing is an excellent guide. We have been fishing with him for over 7 years and have had an excellent time every trip. Great guide and knows Neah Bay area like no other. 

[Kc_Kracker]

to look for the best guides in this state look here www.gamefishin.comm here is the sub forum http://www.gamefishin.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27
--phil with Mystical legends (the best in the state hands down) for salmon or steelhead,
--call Paul with GreatNWRivers for sturgeon, he is DAMN good, a true sturgeon killer

either will work their ass off for you, the most honest guys around because their depend on the forums for customers and their reputation, and i have known them for a very long time, never one single bad word whispered about either. you will have ZERO concerns with these guys

Phil is a freakin legend, if you wanna go home with sore arms hes gonna make it happen, he always does. only guide i know of thats been on the cover of local sporting mags repeatedly
Phil is a great guide and I would go with him again in a second.

[huntnphool]

What time of year are you looking to go?

[Bigshooter]

I would do summer steelhead on the cowlitz. Lots of good guides but if i was going to go with one it would be with andy with andysanglingadventures.com Second choice would be for springers on the cowlitz with andy.

[TheHunt]

Bill Swann is a great guide.  Does a great job... 

[chrisb]

Really need to know what type of boat you are looking at.  Open water charter, river sled, drifter.  Each have a different criteria of research and a different set of skills.  I find drifters to be the most enjoyable, but what turns my crank may not be what you are looking for.

Would also be good to know how far you are willing to drive for the best experience available.

Any river boat is fine... Gonna say no to open water right now.

I'd say about 3 hours is the limit of my drivers seat time for this trip.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Phil is great, and so is Bob Barthlow, both hammer fish on the cowlitz and Bob is probably the best on the cowlitz well next to Clancy. Either one will get you into fish. And i think sturgeon will be Catch and release for a long time, so might want to look into something else unless that is what you want to try.

[jnevs23]

My fishing buddy growing up runs rotten chum guide service.  I know his rates are usually on the lower end and he runs some screaming deals when he had unexpected trips open up.  Another buddy of mine runs okanogan valley guide service.  He puts the hurt on the Brewster pool every year and fishes other places as well.

[Kc_Kracker]

My fishing buddy growing up runs rotten chum guide service.  I know his rates are usually on the lower end and he runs some screaming deals when he had unexpected trips open up. 

johns great, i actually designed his logo when I had WSA online, and he has really become a up n comer from a school pe teacher  , he works hard and knows the sky very well, hes also got baker lake dialed in  next time you see him tell him Kracker said its time for an attitude adjustment, he will know what it means 

[jnevs23]

John and I played baseball through high school together and started fishing together when we were 15. College roomies for a year too.  He knows his stuff and you won't find anyone more passionate. 

[Kc_Kracker]

ya hes a good guy 

[Wingin it]

Cowlitz summer runs with Phil Stevens or Bob Barthlow for sure! They know how to put fish in the boat and often times limits. The Holts are good also, both Clancy and Ron. If I had my choice I would book with Phil 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Theres a reason I always joke with Phil and call him Phil Holt!!!!!

Outstanding superstar guide in the making!

[fish vacuum]

A discussion of quality guides in WA isn't complete without mentioning John Koenig, arguably the best on the Skagit system.
johns-guide-service.com
A good guide will be booked well in advance. If you contact someone months in advance and their schedule is wide open, well, that's a reason for that.

[Fish4Fun]

A discussion of quality guides in WA isn't complete without mentioning John Koenig, arguably the best on the Skagit system.
johns-guide-service.com
A good guide will be booked well in advance. If you contact someone months in advance and their schedule is wide open, well, that's a reason for that.

Johns is a great guy to spend a day with and he knows the Skagit inside and out   

[chrisb]

Thanks to everyone for the great recommendations and info.

[elkfins]

Read this before you decide on what guide to go with.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Things_to_ask_guide.htm

Mark Coleman of All Rivers and Saltwater Charters is one of the best in the business and does great salmon & tuna trips out of Westport and also does fall kings on the Humptulips.
If you're looking for salmon or Bottom fishing... halibut & ling cod out of Neah Bay, call Mike Jamboretz at Jambo's Sportfishing.
If you're looking for a river trip for salmon or steelhead, Phil Stevens of Mystical legends guide service is excellent too.

Above all, good luck and have fun.