I got a guide for the cowlitz... and it was a good idea...

[Dustin07]

well I've been wanting to fish the cow for a while now (may have seen my other post asking about water conditions). but it's about 2hours away and with work, school, etc it's hard to get a way a lot. so my brother and I opted to get a guide and make quick work of the learning curve. I saw Mystical Legends (http://riverfishin.com/) on steelheadUniversity.com and figured the price was right, had to give it a go. (like $75per person??)

Long story short, I'm thinking about booking with him again. really friendly guy, great boat, and worked hard to keep our bait in the water and get us on some fish. in just a few hours (afternoon trip) we had 7 solid take downs and got 4 nice chromers to the boat. here's one of my better ones:

[fishcrazy]

WOW! If he's gettting fish I better get after them.


Kris

[Antlershed]

That guy can definitely catch fish, but after having him purposely almost hit our boat this winter, I would never suggest him to anybody.

[Dustin07]

WOW! If he's gettting fish I better get after them.


Kris

LOL I figured the community was tight knit enough people would know him. I really liked fishing with Phil. Good guy, good conversation. I've been with guides (hunting or fishing) that really dont' give a damn and just figure you're paying them to be in their boat. Phil really busted butt to get us into fish I thought. 

[bullcanyon]

I've heard he does alright down there, but has zero manners.  Got a guide buddy that said he's been cut off twice by him Small world down there.  Bet most have a similar opinion.

[bowtech721]

That guy can definitely catch fish, but after having him purposely almost hit our boat this winter, I would never suggest him to anybody.

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[Moose Eyes]

Phil is a personal friend of mine who I have known for years.  I can't count the number of times I have fished with him.  He is one of the best and friendliest guides around.  And he routinely helps out other guides.  It's a cutthroat business and there's lots of guides who don't get nearly the numbers of fish in the boat (or clients) that he does who like to bad mouth him.  He has a Coast Guard captain's license and would NEVER endanger anyone's life or property as suggested by some here.  But for those who like to disrespect him in person or on the water, he has little use for them.

[Antlershed]

Phil is a personal friend of mine who I have known for years.  I can't count the number of times I have fished with him.  He is one of the best and friendliest guides around.  And he routinely helps out other guides.  It's a cutthroat business and there's lots of guides who don't get nearly the numbers of fish in the boat (or clients) that he does who like to bad mouth him.  He has a Coast Guard captain's license and would NEVER endanger anyone's life or property as suggested by some here.  But for those who like to disrespect him in person or on the water, he has little use for them.

I was there. Were you?

Just so my post doesn't get blown out of proportion, I just want to add that I never said he endangered our lives, but we were damn close to having a broken rod.

And with that, I will honor Ice's request and be done with it

[ICEMAN]

I am sure every guide on the river has had run-ins with folks on the bank or other boats. Lets not ruin the thread by bashing the guide.

[Tony 270]

Nice fish

[carpsniperg2]

nice fish

[Moose Eyes]

Phil is a personal friend of mine who I have known for years.  I can't count the number of times I have fished with him.  He is one of the best and friendliest guides around.  And he routinely helps out other guides.  It's a cutthroat business and there's lots of guides who don't get nearly the numbers of fish in the boat (or clients) that he does who like to bad mouth him.  He has a Coast Guard captain's license and would NEVER endanger anyone's life or property as suggested by some here.  But for those who like to disrespect him in person or on the water, he has little use for them.

I was there. Were you?

Just so my post doesn't get blown out of proportion, I just want to add that I never said he endangered our lives, but we were damn close to having a broken rod.

And with that, I will honor Ice's request and be done with it

I may have been.  What was the date?

I did not say your experience didn't happen, at least in a way you interpreted it.  I simply shared my years of experience with him, just like you shared your drive-by experience with him.  So please don't assume I was calling BS on your post.

And for the record, if someone "purposely almost hit" me or my boat on the water, I would surely consider that endangering my life.  That's my interpretation of your words. 

BTW, nice fish, Dustin07!!!

[Dustin07]

thats right, it IS a nice fish!

dropped off all 4 fattys at the butcher yesterday to be smoked up. I would have done it myself but the meat was so fresh and there was so much of it that I thought it deserved to be taken care of promptly and I didn't want to risk screwing up the recipe. I have a good smoker, but I never like the way it turns out when I do it myself.

I'll let you guys know how it tastes 

[Hunterman]

With fish like that,, keep his name and info,, hell I just might have to get in touch with him..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Dustin07]

yeah Tony, for sure. Actually we liked fishing with him so much that my wife and I are thinking about booking again real soon with her parents. He was a great guy to fish with. very friendly and appropriate in the boat.

[Hunterman]

I would like to get my wife into a fresh steelhead.. She had a 20 pound king kick her butt one day, a steelhead would be funny..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Huntbear]

Nice fish!  Sounds like a great trip.  I may have to drive that way and book him, just to get back on the Cow.  I miss fishing that river. 

Steelhead count the last two days over Bonneville is over 3000 fish.  Almost Drano time again. 

[h2ofowlr]

My buddies have been catching a few fish on the Cowlitz.  I received invites to chase them, just been to busy.

[snocohunter]

Nice fish man! We'll probably be down there in a couple weeks chasing them. I would have been putting those bad boys on the bbq not on the smoker though.

[Wingin it]

Phil is a first rate guide that really knows his stuff!

[Dustin07]

My buddies have been catching a few fish on the Cowlitz.  I received invites to chase them, just been to busy.

if you get a chance, the water level is prime right now and the fish seem to be getting dense enough. we saw many more that we never chased as well.

Nice fish man! We'll probably be down there in a couple weeks chasing them. I would have been putting those bad boys on the bbq not on the smoker though.

Steelhead is the best smoked fish I've had. although I would also grill some up, but I figure I'll go again a few times and hopefully get a BBQ worth specimen before season is over.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I am taking my son next wednesday with Bob Barthlow on an evening trip... Hope it is on fire.

[Dustin07]

let me know how it goes. I'm betting you'll do well. I think I'm gonna head down south next weekend to big C or drano.

[Huntbear]

Dustin,

I am hitting Drano tomorrow evening till about 11 pm.  Will let you know the update.  Fish count keeps climbing, so I think it should be good.

[Dustin07]

awesome, I have a boat, thinking bout going fri and coming home sat.

[Moose Eyes]

I am taking my son next wednesday with Bob Barthlow on an evening trip... Hope it is on fire.

Bob is another great guide.  He and Phil are good friends and help each other out alot.

[arintime]

A good guide really helps the learning curve! Went out with Phil a few years ago and I thought he was great! The bad thing about a good guide is he will point out all the "missed" takes! He will be the the first guide I will call for my next outing. I really had a good time fishing with him. Great guy!

[Antlershed]

I believe it was Sunday March 21st, Moose...but I could be off by a weekend

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

yeah i fished with bob 2 years ago. had fun and caught lots of fish. i am only going to take my boy. he has caught steelhead before but only from the bank.

[Dustin07]

A good guide really helps the learning curve! Went out with Phil a few years ago and I thought he was great! The bad thing about a good guide is he will point out all the "missed" takes! He will be the the first guide I will call for my next outing. I really had a good time fishing with him. Great guy!

definitely!

[Moose Eyes]

I believe it was Sunday March 21st, Moose...but I could be off by a weekend

Doubtful I was with him that weekend or either adjacent weekend . . .  At least not on that river.

[Antlershed]

I know it was in March, and it was before he took off to Drano.

Oops, just checked my pics...I was catching Springers on the Columbia on the 21st. Must have been the next weekend.

[CallMeBigPapa]

Why not just meet Phil at the BC boat ramp and talk man to man about the problem you had with him? He's there right now Monday thru Friday. I'm sure it could be worked out. He's a good guy and I'm sure would apologize if he actually did do anything wrong.

[Dustin07]

how about deleting all your posts and not cluttering up my thread? 


unless you want to add some pics of steelhead you've caught 

[Antlershed]

how about deleting all your posts and not cluttering up my thread?  


unless you want to add some pics of steelhead you've caught  

This good enough for you?   So far 20 Summer-Runs in the boat. Here's the pics that I have at hand...

6/25/10


6/26/10


6/27/10


7/11/10

[fishcrazy]

Sure rub it in my face!!

That last pics reminds me of a day on the Columbia. I know a girl that caught a fish like that one.

Kris

[Dustin07]

Nice! that one the 27th looked like dinner for a few nights 

[fishcrazy]

How did that wild fish taste?

 Mabe next year we will target them a little more.



Kris

[Antlershed]

It was delicious. We made adipose stew out of the fin after we ate the fillets.