I’ve been fishing for these fish in the Pacific Northwest my whole life (well, OK, only since I was about four!) That experience gives me a huge advantage of knowing where the fish will likely be on any given day.
I can’t promise you a fish, because nobody who is honest can do that. But what is true is that I’ve got a very high success rate and I’ll outwork anybody to put a fish in the boat.
I keep a low profile and let the fishing do the talking. The less noise, the better. I’d rather move, change it up, and find the fish than sit in the same hole as everyone else and hope. A lot of that comes down to experience: I tie all my own leaders and terminal gear, build a lot of my own bottomfish gear, and pay attention to the small details most guys skip. Those details are the difference.
Annual Fishing Calendar
Many guides stick to one or two fisheries. I move with the fish across the whole system – coast to Gorge – throughout the year so there’s almost always something worth chasing.
Here’s the year, month by month, to give you an idea of where I typically fish and for what species though this depends on weather, water condition, fish runs, and ODFW rules and updates (!):
| When | Fishery | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Late Dec – ~Mar 20 | Winter steelhead | Clackamas River |
| Late Mar to ~mid-Apr | Spring Chinook | Columbia River (until it closes) |
| Mid-Apr – mid-May | Spring Chinook | Willamette River |
| ~Late Apr – mid-May | Spring Chinook | Mouth of the Wind River (WA side, above Bonneville) |
| Mid-May to Jun 15 | Spring Chinook | Columbia reopens in spurts |
| Jun 16-30 | Summer Kings (“June Hogs”) | Columbia – when the season opens |
| Jun 20-Jul 31 | Ocean salmon, bottomfish, crab | Out of Hammond/Astoria |
| Aug 1 – ~Sep 2 | Buoy 10 – fall Kings & coho | Astoria |
| ~Sep 3 – Oct 20 | Fall Kings & coho | Below Bonneville Dam, Hood River, Drano Lake, mouth of the Klickitat |
| Willamette: open much of Mar to Jul | Sturgeon (a little) + spring Chinook | Willamette |
| Jan | Keeper Sturgeon (tightly limited) | Up around Bonneville Dam |
| Jan-Dec | Sturgeon catch and release | Willamette, Columbia |
Seasons shift with regulations, water conditions, and runs every year. Call or text and I’ll tell you straight away what’s on right now: 1-503-310-5724.
Take a look around, and if you don’t see what you need, get in touch or just call me on 1-503-310-5724.
Full-Time Fishing Guide
I am a full-time fishing guide. For me, this is not a weekend hobby or a content creator or an “influencer’s” social media channel.
I’m Ben Parker, and I fish for a living. I fish almost every day, all seasons, any weather, rain or shine. Cloudy, cold, hot, or sunny enough for days on end to get my famous tan that’s still white behind my sunglasses and under my hat! If I want a guide, that’s who I’d want, and I believe that’s the fishing guide you’d want. This is the way it’s supposed to be done. A lot of guys out here run trips on the weekends as a part-time gig. Not me, because this is all I do, and I’ve been doing it my whole life. I put everything I have into every trip.
I chase fish across a huge range of water, from winter steelhead in the rivers, to spring and summer kings on the Columbia River and the Willamette, to Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia and the Pacific Ocean out of Hammond, to crab and bottomfish, to catch-and-release sturgeon that’ll wear your arms out.
Wherever the best bite is for that month, that’s where I am.
Get in touch and I’ll help to make your fishing trip an experience you won’t forget.
Call or text: 1-503-310-5724
Email: benparkerfishing@gmail.com
Early bite, early finish. Not a bad way to start a Sunday!
🐟Open October Dates🐟
Monday the 5th
Tuesday the 6th
Thursday the 8th
Sunday the 18th
Tuesday the 20th
Wednesday the 21st
Thursday the 22nd
Friday the 23rd
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
📍Columbia River Gorge
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle. Ben’s on the water, so for dates, fish, and current regulations, call/text him directly.
#salmon
🎣 The Client Reel
@kadeloveland and @_meganloveland shared a few moments from their trip with Ben.
“Years ago but looking forward to doing it again! One of the most fun days of fishing my wife and I ever had. We’ll definitely be back to do summer sturgeon again.”
If you’ve fished with Ben, we’d love to hear about your experience and see your photos and videos! DM us if you’re like to be featured on Ben’s page 🐟
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle. Ben’s on the water, so for dates, fish, and current regulations, call/text him directly.
Meet your fishing guide, Ben Parker
Ben has been fishing the rivers and ocean of Oregon and Southwest Washington since he was 4 years old, back when he wasn’t happy unless he had a fishing pole in his hand. Most of those early days were spent in his dad’s boat, and honestly, not much has changed. He just has a bigger boat now. 🪝
For the last 16 years, Ben has been guiding full time, year round. That means he’s out there every day keeping tabs on where the fish are, what they’re biting on, and what the water is doing. If conditions aren’t right, he’ll work with you to find a better day, because he wants your trip to be a good one. ☀️
In Ben’s words: “I can’t promise you a fish, because nobody who is honest can do that. But what is true is that I’ve got a very high success rate and I’ll outwork anybody to put a fish in the boat.”
Most of his trips end with a limit, and a lot of days his crew is limited out within just a few hours. Some days they fish into the afternoon, some days they’re back at the dock before lunch. Either way, Ben fishes hard until the job’s done. 🐟
Whether it’s your first time holding a rod or you’ve been fishing your whole life, you’re welcome on his boat. Ben will show you what he’s doing and why, answer every question you’ve got, and make sure you have a great time doing it. Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, he’ll chase whatever’s swimming. 🎣
Ben is licensed and insured in Oregon and Washington, and certified by the US Coast Guard. 🌊
His favorite part of the day is the ride back to the dock with a full cooler and a boat full of smiling faces. Come fish with Ben!
📞 Call or text 503-310-5724 for dates, species, and availability
📧 benparkerfishing@gmail.com
#benparkerfishing #oregonfishingguide #pnwfishing
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle.
Great morning on the water! September 28th & 30th are still available! Text or call Ben to book it 🎣
📍Columbia River Gorge
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🎣 Oregon-based guide, licensed in OR & WA
🐟 Salmon | Steelhead | Sturgeon | Bottom Fish | Crab
🌊 River & Ocean trips available
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle. Ben’s on the water, so for dates, fish, and current regulations, call/text him directly.
#salmon
Nothing beats this feeling!
📍Columbia River in early August
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🎣 Oregon-based guide, licensed in OR & WA
🐟 Salmon | Steelhead | Sturgeon | Bottom Fish | Crab
🌊 River & Ocean trips available
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle. Ben’s on the water, so for dates, fish, and current regulations, call/text him directly.
#salmon
Hey, I’m Michelle, Ben’s social media manager. Ben’s on the water just about everyday, so I’m helping him out by posting all the content stuck on his phone. Some content will be back content, some will be daily catches, and some will be upcoming dates available. So, I wanted to formally introduce myself and share what a day on the boat with Ben is like 🎣
I’ve known Ben for a few years now and have been fishing with him a couple of times, although my husband has known him for over a decade and has been fishing with him 30+ times! My first trip with Ben was last October (featured in these photos) and it was honestly the best experience! Ben is great and makes trips so much fun. He’s incredibly knowledgeable of fish, locations (even the secret ones 🤫), techniques, and everything else in between. He’s not only there to help you catch amazing fish and go home with a full cooler, but he’s genuinely there to educate you and answer any questions you have along the way while creating a fun and safe experience. I know a LOT of his past clients feel that way, too.
✨ I’ll be here sharing clients photos, daily catches, and available dates. If you have any questions about fish, location, and/or current regulations, please call or text Ben directly!
……………………………
🎣 Oregon-based guide, licensed in OR & WA
🐟 Salmon | Steelhead | Sturgeon | Bottom Fish | Crab
🌊 River & Ocean trips available
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
📲 Posted by Ben’s social media manager, Michelle. Ben’s on the water, so for dates, fish, and current regulations, call/text him directly.
#salmon
Limited out again today 🐟 I’ve added a day this Wednesday, the 23rd. Call or text to snag your spot! 503-310-5724 📍Columbia River
…..
🎣 Oregon-based guide, licensed in OR & WA
🐟 Salmon | Steelhead | Sturgeon | Bottom Fish | Crab
🌊 River & Ocean trips available
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
#salmon
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ Side effects include big grins and heavy coolers!
…..
🎣 Oregon-based guide, licensed in OR & WA
🐟 Salmon | Steelhead | Sturgeon | Bottom Fish | Crab
🌊 River & Ocean trips available
📆 Book your trip: Call/text Ben Parker at 503-310-5724
#salmon
