Two of my Army buds from Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio and I just got home from the river with Don Mr Hook-Em-Up. We had a great day on the river, not too much boat traffic, and Don worked his butt off to put us on fish. Adam, who had never caught a steelhead, brought a bright hen of about 15 pounds to the net. Curt got one about 12, a bright wild hen, so we shot her with the camera and sent her on her way. Thanks Don for a great time and your sense of humor (as you were repeatedly tying on leaders!) For those of you who are undecided about a guide, think about going with Don of Hook-Em-Up Guide service, he is first rate! Pics of the piggies to follow (assuming I can get them off of the digital camera)! Thanks Don!!
We fished the (Don's rule) no-tellum river.

Glad to here you had a good time. I don't think there is any secret rivers left in this state but we will not say which river you where fishing on, but I know for a fact that your guide does not have his US Coast Gaurd license to be running on the water he is fishing? Your guide probably doesn't even know if the water he is fishing requires the license? Or he does and just doesn't care. There is lots of good guide out there that can put you into fish when there is fish to catch, but they all do not have the licenses that they need to fish the water they are fishing. That is what is important for your saftey and the saftey of your guests. Even if they have insurance and they are fishing on water that the US Coast Gaurd license is required that insurance dosen't mean a thing. Just a FYI for you the next time you choose a guide for a guided trip. The saftey of you and your guest is more important than any fish.

Just exactly what type of water are you talking about that you need a coast guard liscense?
That sure isn't good for Don mr hookemups business. ouch!

Anything deemed navigable OR any stretch of water with any influence of high tide you must have CG licensing to run for hire under any sort of power.

Learned a lot about this when we started using electric troller motors in tidewater and AK and we had to sit down with the CG and see what was applicable ... they weren't even sure there. Needless to say I'm now a certified USCG Captain of a MIGHTY 21 foot drifter powered by a 74 lb. thrust electric troller motor

Since I believe that our requirements for guiding in this state are too lax anyhow and I'm not much of one to watch illegal activities, I'm gonna let this post stand and we'll let Don put in his comments on this matter.

The lastest that I heard is that any water that is reachable the ocean without having to breech a dam is considered Navigatable. The Coast Gaurd has a list of the river and mile marks of the rivers in our state that they consider navigatable. I am not trying to just point out Hook em up. I think there is so many guides on the water these days that do not have all of the requirements required by our state to guide, but are doing it anyhow without any regards to the saftey of there clients or the laws required by our state for them to guide. I am also not saying that the guides that are doing it are not qualified to run a guide service, but if your going to run a proffesional guide service then get the licenses you need to guide or don't guide. The guides that have all of there licenses spent there time and money. It's time and money spent for your clients safety and your guide service reputation and it is required.

I'm not a guide but this sounds like govt bs to me. If you paid for a guides liscense an bought insurance then that is all you need. A nagging question how does this Chalupa guy know this hook em guy does'nt have this liscense

From now on, you are no longer just 'Bob' to me...you are 'Captain Bob'!!!

Well lets see here. Not to call names or nothing. You should realy check the boundy that The Coast Gaurd and the State of Washington has set. They are verry clear and if you check them you will see that I am well within any guideline that is set by either. Further more if I have hurt your bussiness so bad that you have to talk negitive about me to outhers I am sorry. You will never here of me Talking bad about anouther Guide or Fisherman. Back stabing just is not my Style.So good luck on the River Catch lots of fish.
Sincerly D Huntley II
HOOK-EM UP!
Fishing guide service.

I would like some info on this guide service. What rivers are fished,stretches of rivers,amount of experiance, quality of gear used,kind of boats,insurance,cost for trip,etc,
Thanks in advance...

Big Chalupa,
How about quit being such a jacko and be happy for those that had a great day fishing. If this so called guide is making his people happy and not endangering their lives than who are you to criticize that. Im glad to hear that these people were beyond happy and Don Im all for you and what your doing. There Is lots of people that can get people into fish and can catch more fish than other "so called qualified" guides out there. Will I get flak, yes probably, but I think that either way it is great that Don is satisfying his people, and am for him all the way . Keep up the great job Don!!!!

I have fish with this guide a lot over the years. Safty is the first thing on his mind each and every trip. Big Chalupa spend more time keeping your own door way clean and stay out of the way of others as it can not be to much fun looking over your shoulder all day. If you want info on this man use your own brain skills (if any) to find out on your owm

I am a client of Don's at Hook em Up and was really impressed with his boat, equipment and most of all the ability to get fish. My son got his first, second and third steel head on Don's boat. (the three fish limit was in effect at the time. I'd go on his charters anytime.

Fish4Steel,

Good job on turning your friends onto steelhead. But be forewarned that you may be facing an Article 15 for actions detrimental to good order and discipline in a unit. Imagine those two guys going back to Hood, and for what? Little basses? Crappie? I think you may have very well adversely affected their morale (not that you can have much at Hood anyway )

I guess you need to start looking into a stateside-swap for them guys. You could almost call it a compassionate reassignment. Hood's like doing a hardship anyway.

Anyway, good job.

Sure sounds like you are to me!!
Were there "others" mentioned or did I miss something

*for a note to those wanting a Great Guide, friendly, professional, very safe, clean organized and one who practices good ettiquette (which some posters do not seem too )

Hook-Em Up' is a Great Guide choice!!
and Don (Wildoutdoorsman) is a real good guy, and a good fisherman, he puts alot!! of care and concern in his trips!! I have personally seen it!!

Glad ya had a Good Trip Fish4Steel!!

Well, it looks like evryone got to speak their mind here ... so let's put this one to bed