Where does BDC Guide Service fish?

We fish the Oregon area, including Eagle Creek, Lithgow Creek, Clear Creek, Deep Creek, Clackamette Cove, Eda Creek, Van Zyl Reservoir.

What are the target fish?

Target fish include winter steelhead, spring and early Chinook salmon, fall salmon, American shad, sturgeon (catch and release) and Dungeness crab.

Where in Oregon do we meet our guests?

Captain Clinton gives you the exact meeting spot and launch time when you book, because it changes with the season and the river. Call or email and he will confirm it with you.

Do I need a state fishing license?

Yes, a Fishing license is required

Where do I get a state fishing license?

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife - Fishing An Oregon fishing license is required for anyone aged 12 years or older. All anglers (regardless of age) need a valid angling tag and must follow regulations on recording harvest. All anglers, regardless of age, must have in possession a valid Columbia River Basin Endorsement when angling for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon in the mainstem Columbia River, and in all rivers and their tributaries that flow into the Columbia River. Please visit the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife website for more information and to purchase your license.

How much should I tip?

It is customary to tip 20% of the trip total. We work tirelessly to make sure you have a guest experience!

Family-friendly Oregon fishing charters

Explore like never before.

Guided salmon, steelhead and Dungeness crab trips on Oregon's rivers and coast with Captain Clinton McCulloch. Gear, bait and know-how included.

Quick book Customize trip

BDC Guide Service

Fall ChinookThe season opens August 1. Fall Chinook runs August through October.

(503) 826-7294
Oregon rivers and coast
Up to 6 guests per boat

2026 season

Now booking fall trips

The season opens August 1. Fall Chinook runs August through October, with salmon into November.

Aug 1season opens

View 2026 trips

Oct – Dec

Fall crab charters

Five hours of Dungeness crab and family fun aboard the Willy Predator or Alumaweld.

$150per person

Book crabbing

Pick your day on the water.

Six guided trips on two boats. Gear, bait and Captain Clinton's river knowledge are included on every one.

River boat
Full Day Trip
Salmon, steelhead & more
Hours
8
Guests
Up to 6
Boat
22' Willy Predator
Targets
Chinook salmon, Steelhead
Price: $250per person
View trip
Drift boat
Full Day Drift Boat
Steelhead & river adventures
Hours
8
Guests
Up to 3
Boat
16' Alumaweld
Targets
Winter steelhead
Price: $250per person
View trip
River boat
Half Day Trip
Quick & productive action
Hours
4
Guests
Up to 6
Boat
22' Willy Predator
Targets
Chinook salmon, Steelhead
Price: $150per person
View trip
Drift boat
Half Day Drift Boat
Steelhead & scenic trips
Hours
4
Guests
Up to 3
Boat
16' Alumaweld
Targets
Steelhead, Seasonal species
Price: $150per person
View trip
Crabbing
Crabbing Charter (Willy Predator)
Dungeness crab & family fun
Hours
5
Guests
Up to 5
Boat
22' Willy Predator
Season
Oct to Dec
Price: $150per person
View trip
Crabbing
Crabbing Charter (Alumaweld)
River & coastal experiences
Hours
5
Guests
Up to 3
Boat
16' Alumaweld
Season
Oct to Dec
Price: $150per person
View trip

Not sure which trip fits?

Call Captain Clinton. He will match the boat, the length and the season to your group.

(503) 826-7294

Compare every rate and boat

A captain who reads the water, not the clock

Captain Clinton McCulloch, the owner and guide behind BDC Guide Service, has spent over 45 years fishing the waters of Oregon.

Known for his down-to-earth personality and patient approach, he connects easily with anglers of all experience levels. He focuses on smaller group sizes so every guest receives attention and guidance throughout the trip.

Smaller groups. A patient approach. Responsible fishing practices.

Meet Captain Clinton

45+: years fishing Oregon waters
7: top rivers we fish
6: guests on our largest boat
2: boats, drift and power

Seven rivers, one captain

From the Columbia's big water to the Coast Range steelhead streams, we fish the river that fits the season. Pick one to see what we chase there.

Schematic chart, not to scale

The fishing year at a glance

The season opens August 1.

Guided fishing seasons by month. Winter steelhead runs January to April, spring and early Chinook March to July, fall salmon August to November, American shad about May to July, sturgeon catch and release all year, and crab charters October to December. The shad and sturgeon windows are not confirmed yet.
Season	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Winter steelheadJan to Apr · Coastal and tributary rivers	January through April
Spring and early ChinookMar to Jul · Columbia and Willamette rivers	March through July
Fall salmonAug to Nov · Fall Chinook August to October	August through November
American shadMay to Jul · Columbia and Willamette rivers	May through July
SturgeonJan to Dec · Catch and release	January through December, lighter opportunity
Dungeness crab chartersOct to Dec	October through December

Prime window Catch and release

Chinook, steelhead and crab months come straight from Captain Clinton. Shad and sturgeon windows are our reading until he confirms them, and sturgeon retention is only open for short, announced periods. Runs shift with the river and the year: call before you plan around a date.

Field guide to the catch

All target species

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, family Salmonidae

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Length 30-59 in · Weight 10-50 lb

Season: Spring and early Chinook run March through July on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Fall salmon follow from August through November, with fall Chinook strongest August through October.
Technique: Trolling with herring, spinners or plugs is highly effective for salmon, especially on the Columbia River.
Habitat: Onshore, nearshore, river and lake environments

Good to know. Presentation and depth control are key. The spring run rolls almost straight into the fall run, with only about a three-week gap between them.

Angler holding a large silver Chinook salmon

Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss, family Salmonidae

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Length 12-46 in · Weight 2-35 lb

Season: Winter (January through April) is prime for steelhead fishing, especially on coastal and tributary rivers.
Technique: Drift fishing on the Wilson, Trask, Sandy, Clackamas and Nestucca rivers.
Habitat: Coastal rivers

Good to know. Early mornings and tide-influenced windows often produce the best bites when river conditions align.

Dungeness Crab

Metacarcinus magister, family Cancridae

Season: Our crabbing charters run October through December.
Technique: Crab pots with fresh bait. Captain Clinton shows you how to bait a pot and how to tell legal keepers from the ones that go back.

Good to know. Keepers are male Dungeness crab at least 5¾ inches across the shell. Female crabs always go back.

From the boat

This is the quiet part.

No engine, no hurry: just the current doing the work while the rods are out. Most of a drift-boat day looks exactly like this, and it is the part guests remember long after the photo.