Columbia river guide question

[shiverfix]

I've been lurking for awhile now, and since I have a question I figured it was time for me to introduce myself. My name is David, and I will be moving to the Portland area soon. My wife took a job in the Portland area and is already up there. I am finalizing things here in Denver before I move up. I am really looking forward to learning to fish a new area, especially with all the great fishing opportunities!

I will be flying out this weekend to see my wife, and am thinking instead of spending a fortune on a hotel or airbnb on the coast (from the very few to choose from at this point) I would spend the money on a guided trip on the Columbia. I was hoping for some advice and some guide suggestions. Not sure I care if we fish for salmon or sturgeon. They both have their draw. While catching a couple salmon for the freezer sounds good, I've always wanted to go after sturgeon, it is actually something I am very excited about being able to do a lot of when I get up there. But I also think that there is more to learn with salmon fishing, and getting a guided trip for that would be good too.

Mostly though I don't want my wife to sit in a boat all day not catching anything. She loves to be on the water, and enjoys fishing, but it would be a great bonus to get her on fish.

Opinions appreciated!

 

[Aervax]

Welcome to Oregon. I grew up fishing trout in the Rockies. You will find endless new angling species and places to learn here.

My first choice for sturgeon and salmon guides is Bill Gaither/Northwest Hawg Hunters. Been fishing sturgeon and salmon with him 10 years now. Straight shooter who tells it like is. He'll help you decide which one to chase this weekend. I expect it will be salmon. It's picking up right now. Here's his info.

Bill Gaither 503-519-7972
http://www.columbiafishing.net/

 

[C_Run]

Marvin used to post on this forum and we have been on three successful Buoy 10 trips with him and he fishes all the Columbia fisheries. I'd recommend him, as well.
https://www.fastactionfishing.com/

 

[shiverfix]

First real post and I commit the faux pas of posting in the wrong section...

Thanks Aervax for the welcome and suggestion, I really looking forward to fishing up there! I've fished five times in Oregon and she has shown me no love. Hoping to break that this weekend! Having a guide will definitely help.

I called Bill and he was booked, but Marvin had space on Monday, so I grabbed it. It's a salmon and crab trip. I'll update how it went. Thanks C_Run for the suggestion.

 

[Admin]

First real post and I commit the faux pas of posting in the wrong section...

it's not you, it's me. (c)

I called Bill and he was booked, but Marvin had space on Monday, so I grabbed it. It's a salmon and crab trip.

Congratulations!

I'll update how it went.

Don't forget.

P.S. If you hit "mark as solution" C_Run will get plus in his karma.