Dave’s Guide Service offers year-round guided salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon fishing trips on the Columbia River system, based out of Toledo, Washington. Captain Dave Mallahan has been fishing for salmon and steelhead since he was seven years old and has run his own guiding business for two decades, bringing decades of hands-on experience along with a background in commercial fishing to every trip.
Trips run aboard a 23-foot aluminum Alumaweld fishing boat, powered by twin 220-225 HP Yamaha SHO engines capable of speeds up to 37 knots, with room for up to six guests fishing comfortably at once. The boat is outfitted with GPS, a fish finder, and a live well, and a first mate joins most trips to help guests throughout the day. Anglers can expect to target steelhead, rainbow trout, sturgeon, and both Coho and Chinook salmon depending on the season.
The Columbia River is one of the busiest and most consistent fisheries in Washington state, with hundreds of thousands of salmon and steelhead moving through it each year, giving Dave’s Guide Service year-round opportunities regardless of season. Beyond the Columbia, Dave also guides trips on the Cowlitz River, known for strong year-round steelhead fishing and a solid spring Chinook run, targeting summer steelhead starting around June and Chinook salmon beginning in April.
Rods, reels, tackle, and lures are provided on every trip, so guests only need to bring their own snacks, drinks, and a valid fishing license. Captain Dave and his crew also clean and fillet the catch at no additional cost, and the trips are built to accommodate anglers of all ages and experience levels, making it a practical option for families as well as serious anglers.
For anyone looking to fish the Columbia or Cowlitz Rivers with an experienced local guide, Dave’s Guide Service offers a well-equipped boat, year-round target species, and a straightforward, all-inclusive approach to guided fishing near Toledo, Washington.
