I'm not usually one to write reviews but we had such an awesome experience I wanted to give Jess &…read morethe Always Catchin crew kudos. We started the day catching smaller sturgeon until Jess and my son discussed the possibility of a much bigger challenge. A "Once in a lifetime catch!" Well, that's exactly what happened! My husband, son and even me caught HUGE sturgeon. Mine was 8-9 feet long but my son and husbands' fish were 9-10 feet!! It was phenomenal! The boat was VERY comfortable and clean. Jess knew exactly what to do and when. He was helpful and knowledgeable. We had to take the boat out and move to a different part of the river but Jess didn't seem annoyed by that at all. We had a trip of a lifetime! I will NEVER FORGET IT! Thanks Jess, you're the best guide we've EVER had!!!!

We had a great time with Jess, a real pro. Was exciting to have a real fishing experience,…read moreespecially for our 16 year old son. We caught bait fish and then got to catch and release sturgeon. We also saw bald eagles along the way, as Jess pointed them out, and lots of beautiful waterfalls. Was a great day and wonderful memory for our family. We'll do this again!

Rowland Lake, formally named DeBois Lake, is so beautiful ! This little lake is so picturesque,…read moreespecially in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and growing along the slopes, framing the water. If you have driven along SR-14 four miles east of Bingen, then you have driven through Rowland Lake, literally, since the SR-14 and the train track cut through the lake! It makes for some pretty spectacular photo snaps! When you turn onto Old Highway 8 there is a small parking lot and a few areas where you can pull over to take in the scene. Further up the hill on Old Highway 8 is a pull off area for even better views from above. If you are heading to Catherine Creek area or Syncline Wines, you will pass Rowland Lake. It's worth pulling over for a few minutes to take in the beauty. The north lake is stocked with trout, both rainbow and broodstock. There are two fishing openers: the first is from the last Saturday in April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving.; the second is the Friday after Thanksgiving through February. People have also caught bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. Check their website for details. There is a small boat launch area; electronic boats only. WA access pass is required if you are spending time here other than just pulling over for a few quick pics. I walked around, took pics, then headed to Catherine Creek.

This is a little hidden gem. We love fish. This is the farm where the fish live before they are…read moretaken to Bonneville Fish Hatchery. I found it in a guidebook. We were leaving Cascade Falls and I saw a sign! There wasn't a soul here. Just a handful of these tanks with tiny fish, CoHo and Spring Chinook Salmon. It's fun to see them so tiny before you head over to Bonneville, which is a whole other review. Didn't take more than 15 minutes to see what there was to see. I'm glad we stopped.

Kyle is a great fishing guide but Yelp is only showing the very first review that was bad and seems…read moreuntrue based on his character and experience. Sometimes the fish aren't bitting. There are 13 other reviews that have been hidden by Yelp but I don't know why and they aren't being counted into the star rating. WTF?

I've been fishing with Kyle (Fishing the Gorge) for over 10 years now.  I have to say I have caught…read moreMORE fish than I can count over the last decade with Kyle.  In fact, my biggest salmon (that I caught on the Columbia River) was WITH Kyle ... 40+ lbs!   I have a lot of fun with Kyle & respect his knowledge of the Columbia River & it's tributaries.  He has been Fishing for several decades & is a VERY dedicated, smart & talented guide.  I have fished with other guides over the years, but Kyle is "My #1 Pick" for the Columbia River.  There are several boats/people that go out Fishing on the Columbia (not knowing the River & the strength of the current).  It can be a very dangerous river to fish (for those not familiar with it), but I've always felt confident with Kyle & how he manages/maneuvers his boat.   Several mornings Kyle will go out hours earlier (even 3am/4am) just to get the best spot on the River for his clients.  Being a guide that fishes practically every day, during the Salmon/Steelhead fishing season, he knows the best places to catch (and where the fishing has been "hot," as he sees this every day).  Of course the bite can change overnight, with the fluctuation in water temperature, barometer, or the depth of the river (if Bonneville Dam starts dumping a bunch of water -- that alone can throw off the fishing).  But he does his best to bring in Salmon and/or Steelhead for his clients. Of course there will be days the fishing is simply slow... and that's WHY it's called "Fishing" not "Catching"  as there are no guarantees.  But I DO have to say....I have brought in MANY fish over the years on Kyle's boat.  Kyle is also very respected by other guides & fisherman that regularly fish the Columbia.  One time we were out fishing....and a boat pulled up & actually delivered a "breakfast sandwich" to Kyle --- to thank him for his help on the River the previous day.   He is also very good at coaching & explaining tactics to first-time fisherman, or those not very experienced.  He always explains about the current & how to hold the rod & how to reel in ....so as "not to lose a fish."  Many people don't understand, when you drop anchor in a River with a very strong current....you have to move quickly & reel fast/steady, so you don't lose your fish.  But he is very patient with his clients & explains everything about good fishing techniques.   I would highly recommend Kyle & Fishing the Gorge to any of my family, friends & those looking for an experienced, fun, fishing experience on the Columbia River.  We've always had a great time with Kyle & enjoy the scenery and beautiful sunrises on the River for MANY years now --- that's WHY I'm a long-term, lifetime client of Fishing the Gorge :-)

Very disappointed, showed up today and there were "NO TRESSPASSING" signs said the area was closed…read moreoff due to now being on tribal land. Ive been fishing here for the last 3 years its been my favorite place for catch and release of Bass. I know there has been a lot of homeless that camp there but never any issues besides there camp clutter that never gets cleaned up. Could this be the reason its now closed to the public? I really hope this changes.......

It's a story of ups and downs, both literally and figuratively...ending with a (highly exaggerated)…read morefight for my life as I worked hard just to get away from this place...vowing never to return. My eyes have been drawn to this little peninsula multiple times as we've sped by heading to other gorge destinations. Having always noticed a line of parked cars, my interest continued until finally a few months ago I directed my husband to pull off. There were enough cars to make it difficult to pull the camper van in and turn around...it's gated off at the end of the narrow drive, and it's walking-only for further exploration. Once parked we instantly noticed an onslaught of bugs surrounding the van. Not liking the available parking, OR the bugnado, we opted to take off, deciding to try again another weekend and hoping for a better start. Last weekend was nearing, so with no plans we loaded up the van and headed back that way for some hiking, vowing to make Govt Cove peninsula our main destination. We arrived Sunday morning at 9am, only 3 cars already parked, and wedged the van off the road as much as possible. What was there to greet us...the same van-surrounding mass of bugs. Could it be us?? Do we offend?? Determined this time, we readied ourselves with our gear and made a plan for a lightening fast exit to try and avoid filling the van with unwanted buddies. Answer...no, it wasn't us. These bugs, whatever gnat variation they might be, were gathered in annoying swarms around each parked vehicle, as well as just hovering randomly around until we got past the gate. Breathing a slight sign of relief to have that behind us, we referred to the gps and decided to take a trail to the top first, and then wind our way down towards the water level again. This chunk of rock and soil is pretty much all paths, going in various directions and providing some lovely views of both sides of the gorge from the top. A couple spots were a smidge overgrown at times, but nothing too bad as we continued down and around, covering most of the peninsula while occasionally encountering more little swarms of those bugs. We didn't see a single human on our journey...but we did see another mass of creatures, this time a much cuter group. It seems there's a species of bird that makes its home in the rocky cracks on this peninsula. They were everywhere the rocks were, and there were so many you didn't know where to look at times. They provided us a short-lived few moments of serenity before we approached what would be our final (horrifying) leg in this journey. On the lowest level of the rock we saw our final stretch, as according to the gps the last chuck of the trail would lead us around the south side and back to the gate. I, always the leader of our hikes, entered what was the only brush-thick section we'd seen, followed by my husband carrying our pup. We pushed through...walked a little ways...and then straight through the gates of my own personal hell. If we thought those bugs were heavy near the gate, the universe decided to show us how wrong we were. The path was narrow and there was no escape...either push forward or turn around. And what do we always think? Keep going, it'll be better right around the corner...WRONG again. You know that scene on The Shining when the hallway just kept going and they couldn't reach the end? Yep.... I took off running in a desperate plea to get it over with quicker...and I stopped letting out little screams once I realized I was only eating more. I ran and ran with my hands covering my nose and mouth...so many bugs hitting my exposed skin it felt just like I was caught in a hailstorm. They did not stop...and I did not stop, until I reached a turn that I hoped would lead up and out of the brush to relative safety. It was then, and only then, that I turned around (while shaking out every inch of my clothing and hair) to see my husband and pup emerging, also at a run, from satan's armpit. After a few minutes of checking one another for any remaining hitchhikers and regaining our composure we headed back to the van. Yes, the cars were still engulfed upon return, so I slipped in fast and drove up the road a bit before the hubby and dog would dare opening the door again. We had no intention of allowing any of them a ride....they can have their home, but not mine. I do not enjoy bugs...afraid of some, annoyed by others. But I love to hike and I adore the forest, so I'm often forced to tolerate them. I finally got to explore Government Cove, and the bugs won. Yes, pretty views here...and great bird watching. But there are endless spots in Oregon to do both, so as far as I'm concerned the bugs and the fishermen can have this place.

Our rafting trip got canceled last minute, so we called Big Mike to see if he could squeeze us in…read more Mike was super understanding and got us out on the water the next afternoon--which worked perfectly since we like to sleep in on vacation anyway. It ended up being just my wife and I on the boat with Mike and his wife, and we had a fantastic time. They were professional, funny, and made the whole trip enjoyable while helping us land a few fish. Both are extremely knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. Highly recommend fishing with Big Mike--just be ready to put up with a little Duck fan pride since he thinks they rule the Big Ten.

Been out with Mike a bunch of times. Mostly up above Bonneville. fishing can be difficult up there…read moreat times but with Mikes knowledge, local connections and some really awesome bait, my experience is that we catch fish and we have fun. Highly recommend this guiding service. I've also fished bouy 10 with him and the result was the same. We bonked fish. It blows me away with how well he knows so many different fisheries.

Took a three generation group of Family once. What a warm and wonderful experience! Mom in her…read moreeighties, three Granddaughers and my lovely wife cavorting about on the edge of the trout pond with her pole yelling, "Fish On! Fish On!" She had us in stitches! And the Cheeseburgers at the Hangar Pub en route home in Carver were the stuff dreams were made of. We sent the trout home with Nana and a couple of days later I was enjoying the cocktail hour with the old folks and Dad regaled me with a trout fry story. His Mother would clean and head the fish, shake 'em in flour, and then slow fry them in a cast iron skillet in heavy cream. Heavy Cream! Farm life in Minnesota as a boy. Wow.

Everything went well this place has been a bonding spot for me since I was a little kid. I first…read morecame here with my grandfather just the 2 of us. Last time I was here was with my grandfather he was in his 80 s and mind was slipping. However the one thing that didn't seem to be slipping as fast was his ability to unlock it and flip it.... Fish on

My boyfriend and I had a once in a lifetime experience fishing with Matt. Unfortunately salmon…read moreseason was cut short, so we fished for only sturgeon. However, we had the opportunity to catch and keep sturgeon only if it was between 44-50 inches; which occurs twice in a year. From beginning to start, Matt was super helpful with providing gear for me as it was my first time fishing. His boat was top of the line compared to the rest on the river that day. It had a hot water sink and very comfy chairs to sit in. He also had beers, waters on dec and had anti-nausea meds on board which was great for me since I was feeling sick. After 5 minutes, my boyfriend caught his first sturgeon that was 47 inches. And I caught one four hours later that was 45 inches. He allowed us to reel it in (which was a struggle for me, but worth it) and he took great photos after. We were the only 2 people that day to catch and keep our sturgeon. We couldn't have had a better experience and we got so lucky that day thanks to Matt! He ended up filet-ing our sturgeons and took 15 pounds of it home. It was the highlight of our trip to Portland. And we plan to come back in the spring once salmon season starts. If you're thinking about booking a trip with him, DO IT. You won't regret it!

We had such a fantastic day on the water with Matt! From start to finish, he made the experience…read morefun, stress-free, and incredibly rewarding. His knowledge of the area, the fish, and the best techniques was unmatched, and he was patient in explaining everything to beginners while also offering great tips to more experienced anglers. Not only did we catch plenty of fish, but we also learned so much along the way. Matt went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt comfortable, safe, and excited throughout the trip. You can he loves what he does, and that passion makes the experience even more memorable. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, friendly, and professional fishing guide who will make your trip both successful and enjoyable, I can't recommend Matt enough! We'll definitely be booking again.

I LOVE coming here! I first tried out this place a little more than a year ago, with aspirations of…read morestarting a new hobby. I then tried to fish for trout out in nature but due to my track record and queasiness of what to do after I catch, I just end up continuing to come here!! The staff has ALWAYS been extremely helpful for me when I have issues removing a hook, or any questions I may have. They even give advice and show you how to do XYZ. You can bring your own gear, or use theirs for free! No license required since it is a farm. You will pay based on inches of the fish, and they will gut it and cut it and you will be on your way to a delicious dinner!!

We visited this farm recently and unfortunately had a very negative experience. The staff we…read moreinteracted with were unfriendly and spoke to us in a harsh and unprofessional manner. We were told that if the roots of the fish became tangled, they would not replace them, and we were advised to bring our own equipment in a way that felt unnecessarily aggressive. The interaction was uncomfortable, even for the children with us. Based on our experience, we would not recommend this place. "We've visited this fish farm many times, but this visit was extremely upsetting. The staff refused to give us the equipment we needed and spoke to us in a harsh, unprofessional way. When the owner came over, he was aggressive, told me not to speak, and asked our whole group to leave -- including our two kids (9 and 11) who were checking in with us, and even my daughter's Girl Scout group who had not spoken to him at all. He raised his voice at the children, leaving them very upset. Based on this experience, we cannot recommend this place.

Im not sure how successful folks are with catching fish in this large pond, but sitting by the dock…read moreis very peaceful. The lake is centered around the shopping mall so there are a few restaurant that overlook the lake. There are also ducks that live there.

Came here today with fishing friend who did some actual fishing. Nothing was caught (fish 1 -…read morehumans 0), but it was really OK, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in my camping chair and watching the fish jump in the air and the world passing by. A few other people were down on the dock casting for fish, others sat on the various rock formations sort of zoning out, and it was a real pleasure to see the children and parents sharing something they really loved. If the youngsters aren't interested in the fishing, they can come down and feed the ducks - such fun. The water is so clear you can see down to rocks and plants on the bottom and also nearest the dock flashes of the goldfish as they glide along (these goldfish eventually grow into some very large carp). There are evidently some sturgeon as well along with the rainbow trout, and also lots of ducks and other water birds (a few still with babies). Oh yes, lots of dragonflies - flashes of black and fiery orange red - add to the charm. People who fish welcome you right into their society and talk readily about their fishing experiences and how the big one got away and even why. This is a terrific family experience and for those who want to come out alone. The best time is to come early, before 7, and especially after the lake has been re-stocked, if you want to catch some fish. But like I said, it's a wonderful experience whether fish are caught or not. Give it a try. And remember if you don't catch any fish, you can hike back up to the shopping center above and get some breakfast. Not a bad day at all, in fact a damn fine one if you ask me.