Seems I am always getting asked to see some of the fish we boat all the time. I tend to not take pics anymore as I have seen thousands of fish. But on occasion my clients send a few my way. So, here's a few that were posted on one of the other diesel sites.

Pics are of Coho (Silver) Salmon taken on the Cowlitz River near the mouth of the Toutle River. All fish were taken either boondogging or sidedrifting cured roe with a double #4/ cheater setup with 10# leader and 10# mainline on ultralight 9' G Loomis rods wearing Abu Garcia and Shimano reels.

The boat is an Alumaweld sled with a 150HP Merc tiller and a 8Hp PTT Yamaha kicker. All the fish pictured were harmed, violated and ripped for roe at the conclusion of this trip.





These were taken on Oct 4 and we ended up losing another big Silver in a snag on the shallow side of the boat.

Dave

 

Nice Fish

 

sonds about like hwat we do to tresspassers, violate them , and if they survive, we prostitute them

 

Dave

 

Been a few weeks since I have updated my fishin' post.

Been getting limits of Silvers daily. I am only keeping the hens (for the roe) and releasing nan average of 30 fish a day. Usually on the water for about 4 hours per day.

Been a great Silver season and I am looking forward to a slowing fishery so that I can set my sights back onto Winter Steelhead. If the season is even remotely as good as last winter, I'll catch my fair share again!

Dave

 

Great pics Dave !

Is that a hobby or a main source of income?


Tough job eh?

 

Looks like fun.

 

A little of both.

I have worked in some form of building materials sales for over the last 15 years. I was most recently working for a rebar distributor managing the Pacific NW Territory. This business was primarily housing and light commercial. And since we all know what has happened with the housing markets, my job was eliminated with a few others. Just a sign of the times.

I have maintained my guiding license for years for those corporate accounts in that same building products industry. And it has been good to me. This was in addition to my "real job" as a form of some extra income and getting customers out with their salesman for a day of bonding. It can be much more productive than golfing for some.

So, it's now a full time gig at times. But my "real job" is working with Diesel Distributors USA. The guiding thing is a left over from before this position and since it's flexible, I fish whenever I can.

On the average year when I worked a job full time I would hit the water over 40 weekends per year. This year I have been on the water for over 165 days. The fishing with clients is different than this fishing I am doing now. I call it "farming eggs". Basically, I have given most of the 80 or so Silvers away and only keep the hens for the eggs. I go through a large amount every year and they are literally like gold. Good eggs are required to get us on those fish and get the advantage over the other guys. In turn, I book more trips, make more tips and have to work less and less.

As far as being a tough job, the simple answer is, yes it is. Most don't factor the hours guides spend preparing gear, bait, rods, the boat, maintenance, drive time and the list goes on. I don't get rich guiding and if you figured it out by the hour, I make less than some guys at the tire store. But I put in LOTS of hours. So, I still do ok. And some days we are fishing anchored up. Not burning fuel, not using bait, not losing gear. Those are gravy train days a few months at most of the year. The rest is slogged out running the rivers, boon *******, side drifting, pulling plugs and such. All day, I am tying up rods, prepping bait, untangling rods and playing referee on the water. It can be trying and all the while you are in an open boat in some of the greatest to worst weather the PNW has to offer. Rain yesterday, sun today. Just the way it goes.

So there you have it! I am a full time guide part time!

Seriously, I do love fishing and meeting the folks that this business brings with it. But it sure is nice to go out and NOT have to hand the rod off on a 20# Silver.

Dave