Columbia River Fishing Adventures Reviews

Gideon Phelps 2026.03.06

     

I went retention Sturgeon fishing with Buddy and his awesome dog DUG! We moved around chasing fish while other boats followed us and watched us limit out the boat! I’ve been on a couple other guides and you can really feel the difference and confidence being on his boat. Next is Walleye and Salmon! CRFA along with Buddy and Dug will no doubt be my 1st choice! Thanks for a memorable experience, Can’t wait for the next one!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures

Thank you so much for the awesome review, Gideon! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your guided fishing trip in Oregon with Buddy and Dug. It’s great to hear the confidence and strategy on the water made a difference. We can’t wait to help you catch Walleye and Salmon on your next adventure and make it just as memorable!

James T Burdett 2026.02.19

     

Travis is an amazing fishing guide. He put us on the fish and by 8:30 we all had keepers. I have fished walleye,Sturgeon and salmon with Travis. I never been disappointed.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures

Thank you Jim,
Its always nice to fish with and looking forward to the next trip!

Whit Olds 2025.12.31

     

We had a great trip fishing with Buddy yesterday, Dec 29, 2025! Winter fishing catching prehistoric gigantic surgeon! I really didn’t know if we would catch anything as Oregon has had a lot of rain and it’s winter. Buddy assured me that we would catch fish and we did! My son and I caught 16, lost 3 and had one so big (6 footer) that we are not allowed to take them out of the water (not like I could have lifted it anyway). Highly recommend!

Useful (1) Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.12.31

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a great review 😁

Dug and I truly enjoyed fishing with you and your son. It was a pleasure having you guys on the boat, and we certainly hope to see you again in the future.



Happy New Year!

Jason Hall 2025.09.11

     

Great day (couple hours really) on the water! Limited out so quickly with Great Fish! Travis knows how to get on the fish! Great times!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.10.08

Jason, thank you for the amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great time on the water and were able to limit out quickly. It’s fantastic knowing you enjoyed the experience. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable day on the Columbia!

Lily Foster 2025.09.10

     

Experience of a lifetime fishing with Travis as our guide. Our group is blown away by his knowledge, care, communication, preparation, wit and humor. We all caught sizable Chinook King Salmon and will be back! Wow! We are certainly planning on going again. Thank you Travis and Fleck for a real treat on the Columbia.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.10.08

Thank you so much for the incredible review, Lily! We’re thrilled to hear that your group had a “lifetime” experience on the Columbia. We are passionate about making every trip memorable. Congratulations on landing those Chinook King Salmon! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing adventure on the water.

matt davis 2025.09.10

     

Travis is very knowledgeable and fun to fish with! We had a fish in the boat within 20 minutes of starting

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.10.08

We’re so glad you had a great time fishing, Matt! Catching a fish within 20 minutes sounds like the perfect start to an awesome trip. We can’t wait to have you back out on the water for another fun adventure!

logan clark 2025.09.01

     

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.09.10

Hi Logan, I’m honestly not sure what this review is about since you’ve never fished with us. If you could share some details, that would be helpful. Was it maybe that we were out on the river catching more fish than you? 😉 I know that can frustrate a few folks.



In 20 years of guiding, this is the first time we’ve had someone leave a one-star review without any explanation. Our clients are the most important part of what we do, and without them we couldn’t spend our days doing what we love. So if there’s something we can truly improve on, we’d be love to hear it.

Chad Neeley 2025.08.04

     

Had an awesome day on the water with Buddy! It felt like we were fishing with a long time friend even though we had just met for the fishing trip. He worked hard to put us on some trophy fish and we had a great time. Will be back for more! Fantastic company and fantastic experience.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.08.05

Thanks a ton, Chad, for the awesome review! You guys made the day a blast—felt more like a fun day on the water with friends than work. Can’t wait to do it again! And hey, big thanks for being a good sport and letting your wife land the biggest fish of the day—smart move! 😄 Looking forward to next time!

Casey Neeley 2025.08.03

     

Had the best time fishing with Buddy today! My husband and I went out for the morning to catch salmon. I am not very experienced with fishing and Buddy was so calm and helpful. He explained to me how to reel in my fish in the heat of the moment. We had so much fun! He even went the extra mile to take us under the bridge on our boat ride back in. Would go again in a heartbeat.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.08.05

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a great review! We had an awesome time fishing with you and truly appreciate you choosing to spend the day with us. We really hope to have the chance to fish with you again down the road. And most importantly, I hope that photo of your big, bright salmon earns a well-deserved spot on your trophy wall at home! Thanks again for everything.

Sandy Lutz 2025.07.13

     

We had the absolute BEST day fishing with Buddy from Columbia River Fishing Adventures! My husband, our 12-year-old son, and I went out hoping for a good time—and it turned into a trip we’ll be talking about for years. From the moment we stepped on the boat, Buddy made us feel welcome, comfortable, and ready to reel in monsters. His knowledge of the river, his passion for fishing, and his easygoing personality made the whole experience unforgettable. He was patient and encouraging with our son (who was so excited), and within no time, were hooked into some BIG sturgeon. Watching my son battle a massive dinosaur of a fish—grinning from ear to ear—was truly a highlight of our trip. Buddy made sure everyone had a chance at the rod and helped us every step of the way, from baiting to celebrating the catch (and even snapping some great photos). But what really sets this experience apart is that they offer the full package. We stayed just minutes away at his wife’s Airbnb in Rufus, OR—super clean, comfortable, and perfectly located. What’s right around the corner? Yep! The biggest little tackle shop in the West, Gorge Outfitters Supply (also theirs!),fully stocked with everything you could possibly need for fishing the Columbia. Rods, bait, gear, snacks—you name it, it’s there. We walked there more than once and the crew was friendly and helpful every time. If you’re even thinking about fishing the Columbia, don’t miss the chance to go out with Buddy. It’s more than just fishing—it’s the kind of experience that brings your family closer and leaves you with stories worth telling around the campfire. Thank you, Buddy and Doug the fishing lab, for a trip we’ll never forget. We’ll definitely be back!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.08.05

Thank you for taking the time to post such an amazing review! I had a fantastic time fishing with you and your family, and I’m really looking forward to our salmon fishing adventure in September. See you then!

Alaina Schumann 2025.06.19

     

We had SO much fun with Buddy and Dug catching monster sturgeons. He was great a great guide and took care of us; shad fishing for bait to start, pulled in these monsters later in the morning. I’d love to go out again with Buddy for other trips, definitely a great time.

Useful (1) Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.07.03

Thanks for the great Review. Me and Dug enjoyed fishing with you girls. I was impressed at how many you girls reeled in!

Meghan Thomas 2025.06.18

     

Had a great time! Will definitely be doing this again soon!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.07.03

Me and Dug had a great time fishing with you girls. Maybe next time we can Do some salmon or Walleye fishing.

Alex G 2025.06.15

     

Absolutely amazing day on the Columbia River with Buddy! We packed the boat with six women and had a blast from start to finish. Buddy was knowledgeable, patient, and made the entire experience fun and comfortable for everyone. We caught some incredible fish and made memories we’ll never forget. If you’re thinking about booking a trip—do it! I’d definitely recommend Columbia River Fishing Adventures to anyone looking for a great time on the water. 🎣

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.07.03

Thanks for taking the time to write an Amazing review! Me and Dug had a great time fishing with you girls and hope to see you again!

steven smith 2025.05.01

     

buddy the captain, met my expectations above and beyond ! in few simple words I caught a 10 ft 9 ft 8 ft and a small 7 ft sturgeon all before noon !!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2025.05.04

It was a pleasure spending the morning with you. Hope to fish with you again in the future!

Jacob A Reichle 2025.01.05

     

We had great fishing trip with Buddy on the Columbia. He knew all the best spots for sturgeon, and we had a successful day on the water. Buddy was knowledgeable and nice making it a better time for all of us. He provided top quality gear and made sure we were comfortable and confident throughout the trip. If you’re looking to catch sturgeon and make some great memories, book a trip with Buddy. We can’t wait to go back for another trip with him.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures

We're so happy you had such a great time fishing for sturgeon with us, Jacob! Thank you for the amazing review. We strive for – knowledgeable guidance, a successful day on the water, and top-notch equipment and it sounds like we provided the same kind of experience. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to your next trip!

John Sehlke 2024.11.27

     

Can’t say enough good things about Buddy. He is very professional in his craft and respects the waters he fishes. Caught lots of sturgeon and the last fish of the morning was a trophy. My Dad and I had a blast catching fish with Buddy and his 4 legged companion, Dug. Highly recommend.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2024.12.05

Thank you so much for your kind words and fantastic review! I'm thrilled to hear that you and your dad had a great time fishing with Dug and me. It’s always a pleasure to share memorable days on the water with clients like you. I'm looking forward to our next fishing adventure!

Cathryn Darrow 2024.11.25

     

We First went with buddy 15 years ago with our 2 sons and caught a lot of sturgeon. This time my husband and I braved the elements. To our suprise the weather was nice. The fishing was SPECTACULAR! I'd like to thank Capt Buddy. So much fun with a professional! We caught multiple sturgeon each. All different sizes! The monster of the day was a 10ft, 600 lb sturgeon! A true once in a life time catch! Can't wait to go back!

Useful (1) Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2024.12.05

Thank you so much for your fantastic review and for choosing to fish with me again after all these years! It was truly a joy to have you and your husband on the water with me. I’m so glad the weather cooperated and that we had such a spectacular day of fishing. That 10-foot sturgeon was indeed an unforgettable catch! I can’t wait to have you back for another adventure. Thanks again for your kind words and for trusting me with your fishing experiences!

Stan Caples 2024.11.02

     

One of the most pleasant fishing trip ever. Never a dull moment. This is my third trip with Buddy and he always knows where the fish are. Thanks Buddy for a wonderful experience.

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2024.11.02

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Me and Dug always have an absolute blast fishing with you guys! Looking forward to our next trip!

Alex Moore 2024.08.25

     

10/10 experience today with my 8 year old son and CRFA! Buddy was fantastic the entire time. So easy to talk to and be with for hours. My son and him hit it off , and with every single question my son had, Buddy had an answer with patience and made us laugh. Not only do I recommend if you have a younger child and you would like to take them fishing, but just in general, the experience was A+. We will be going back to Buddy and CRFA every single time we want to fish. He is our guy and has earned our loyalty as a customer. He helped immensely in creating a core memory with my son forever, and we will never forget today!

Useful Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures 2024.10.08

Well let me first say i apologize for the Big delay in my response. It has been a very busy year. I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review. I really enjoyed fishing with you guys and your son is something so very special. I think he not only made mt day but my while season. Certainly looking forward to fishing with him in the future!!!!!!!!!!!

Kris Dunlap 2024.07.04

     

I have fished and then fished some more. It’s rare to find a guide that is so competent at his craft and a joy to spend 8 hours with! Look no further than Buddy. Can’t wait to book many more trips. Thanks for an amazing day!

Useful (1) Report

Reply from Columbia River Fishing Adventures

"I am truly grateful for your kind and thoughtful review! Spending the day Sturgeon fishing with you was a fantastic experience that felt just like being out on the water with my closest friends. The conversations we had while fishing made the day even more enjoyable, and I can't wait for our next adventure together. Your feedback is incredibly valued and means a lot to us. Thank you once again for taking the time to share your experience!"