Hello, I'm Captain Aaron, proudly based in Aberdeen, Washington. Having grown up in this beautiful region, I've been navigating and fishing the southwestern Washington waters for over three decades. My professional guiding career spans 14 years, following an extensive commercial fishing tenure that took me to Alaska for 15 summers. Initially, guiding was a side venture alongside my commercial fishing work, but since 2018, I have dedicated myself fully to it after retiring from Alaska’s commercial fishing scene in 2017.
Fishing is a family affair for me—my 5-year-old son shares my passion and often joins me on some outings. I currently manage a fleet of three vessels: a 20-foot North River Scout jet sled, a 17-foot Pavati drift boat, and a 13-foot catamaran raft. My approach to fishing is relaxed and enjoyable, focusing on passing along the skills and knowledge I've gained over the years to both clients and aspiring young anglers.
I’m continually eager to expand my understanding of fishing techniques because this sport is more than just work—it’s my true passion and occupies most of my time. Outside of fishing, I enjoy several sports, including basketball, baseball, and football. When you book a trip with me, you can count on a fun and rewarding experience on the water that prioritizes learning, excitement, and connection to nature.
One of my recent trips went exceptionally well; I was able to help my guests catch plenty of fish. I’m personable and attentive, ensuring that everyone has a memorable time—two young anglers who recently joined me especially appreciated the experience and gave it five stars! Seeing their enthusiasm reminded me of my own early days, when fishing was everything to me. It’s a genuine pleasure to share the boat with those who love the sport as much as I do.
You can cancel your booking at no cost if you do so at least 14 days prior to your scheduled trip, and the amount will be credited back to your account. If cancellation occurs within 14 days of the trip, the deposit paid to the guide will not be refunded. Cancellations on the day of the trip or failing to show up will result in a charge for the full trip amount on your card.
For your comfort, it’s best to wear waders along with layered clothing and foul weather gear. You can rent waders for $30 per pair. Mornings might be chilly, while afternoons can get quite warm. To stay organized, pack all your extra clothing in one bag or backpack, and keep your food and drinks in a separate small cooler.
This is my favorite and most popular trip — a driftboat adventure for two on the stunning Kalama River, targeting the highly coveted Spring Chinook Salmon. Known affectionately as "Springers," these salmon are prized for their exceptionally high fat content rich in Omega-3, making them some of the finest eating fish in the world.
We’ll begin our journey early, launching in the dark to ensure we are perfectly positioned before the legal start time when the fish start biting. Throughout the trip, we’ll employ a variety of proven techniques to catch these incredible fish, including bait diving with herring, sand shrimp, and coon shrimp, as well as backtrolling plugs, fishing bait under floats, and casting jigs.
Our Pavati driftboat is designed with convenient doors for easy entry and exit, enhancing your overall experience as we explore the river in pursuit of trophy Spring Chinook.
