Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Being there when someone catches that first fish is one of the best parts of being a guide. There are some restrictions though. Children must be a minimum of 33lbs in weight so that they fit in the life jackets. Additionally, please provide notification ahead of time so that the proper size life jacket can be provided. Children are required to have adult supervision on board with them.

For trips where the boat is not fully booked, well trained pets can be brought on board. If bringing a pet onboard you should be aware of the following rules

1. You must check in advance to determine if there is room for your pet onboard.
2. You are responsible for your pet’s behavior. If your pet causes a safety risk, we may return to port. If you do not have someone to care for your pet and cannot continue, you will not be refunded for the cost of the trip. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles at the port. If your guide becomes aware that you intend to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle you may be left with your pet and not given a refund.
3. Fishing trips pose a risk of injury to pets. This can come from being snagged by hooks, swallowing baits with hooks in them, or becoming ill from eating bait or raw fish. Salmon and trout can carry a parasite that can cause dogs to become seriously ill or even die. Veterinary treatment for salmon poisoning or other injuries can be expensive. River Wanderer LLC cannot accept responsibility for this risk and you take it on your own.
4. You will be responsible for bringing any cleanup supplies and managing any messes or “presents” left by your pet on the deck.
5. You will be responsible for repairing any damage or replacing any equipment destroyed by your pet.

Service animals are allowed, and are limited to dogs and miniature horses. Service animals must meet federal ADA requirements (the animal must perform a task that supports the individual with the disability. That task cannot simply be the mere presence of the animal). If your animal is an emotional support animal, please see the policy for pets in the section above. Please notify us ahead of time if you are bringing a service animal so that we can make sure to be prepared to accommodate your needs. Service animals cannot pose a risk to the safety or operation of the vessel, crew, or passengers.

Please call to discuss what your specific challenges are. Some common accommodations are using a step stool to help you get in and out of the boat as well as arranging your fishing gear so that you can fish while seated. Unfortunately at this time there is not a guaranteed way to lift someone from a wheelchair into the boat, however your guide will be happy to do their best to assist a caretaker or other assistant in order to help you access a trip

If you have any medical issue which impairs your ability to stand on a boat please let your guide know. For many of our trips we can experience a lot of rocking so you may need to be assigned a spot that allows you to reel in a fish while seated

You may bring alcohol on board for personal use, however you must consume responsibly. If you are visibly intoxicated you will be returned to shore and you will not be refunded for the cost of your trip.

You may, however if your smoking device generates butts or other waste you will need to bring an appropriate container to store them in. You will also need to smoke on the downwind end of the boat so that the vapors, smoke or ashes do not impact others around you. Smoking is not allowed in any enclosed areas of the boat.

No, your guide is required to comply with federal regulations which prohibit the possession or use of marijuana or any other federally prohibited substance while on board. Additionally because the boundary between Oregon and Washington runs down the center of the shipping channel of the Columbia River, your trip will likely cross the state border, which would be a federal offense if you had marijuana or any other federally prohibited substance. If your guide finds out that you have a federally controlled substance you will be returned to port and not given a refund.

Absolutely! This is encouraged. Please be respectful of others who may have allergies. There are no provisions for cooking, re-heating, or refrigerating things while onboard so any food will need to be cooked ahead of time.

Firearms are not allowed on board. This is for the safety of the vessel, passengers, and crew. Using a firearm safely on a boat requires special considerations and training which your guide will be unable to verify. Additionally for much of the year we will be operating on or near saltwater which is not kind to firearms.

You can bring a backpack for snacks, extra clothing, etc. Everything you bring should fit into a backpack approximately the size of one you would send a child to school with. Waterproof bags are recommended.

Depending on the time of year, the boat may be equipped with a covered top and propane heater. This is typically through the months of October through May. Please verify ahead of time, however you should always dress for the weather.

There is limited ability to charge phones onboard, you may need to share the charging port with others

The boat does carry first aid supplies in case of an emergency as well as a spare re-usable blanket if you get seriously cold. It is strongly recommended that you dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own medical supplies if you experience a condition that requires regular treatment such as diabetes. If your guide determines that you are experiencing a medical emergency that cannot be resolved on the water they will provide appropriate first aid and return you to port.

A hand urinal is provided for those who can take care of business standing up. A bucket toilet and wipes are provided if you need to sit down. Please be aware that there is minimal to no privacy on board due to the size of the boat.

This can happen to the best of us. Meclizine (also called non-drowsy Dramamine™) is one of the more effective medications, however you should take it before you depart and have an additional dose available in case you get nauseous during your trip. If possible, you may be returned to port, however if a return to port would significantly disrupt the trip for others on the boat, your guide may choose to continue the trip.

Yes! The following groups can access discount on their trip. Make sure to either bring or send a copy of your documentation ahead of time.

Veterans/Active Duty military and their dependents – 10% discount (Active Duty ID card, DD-214, VA medical card, VA benefits letter, CHAMPVA insurance card)

Members of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) – 10% (Copy of Membership confirmation)

Foster Children – 1 free seat when a parent books a seat (Copy of current placement letter)

Disabled veterans should contact The Fallen Outdoors at thefallenoutdoors.com/oregon/.

Every Child Oregon provides a resource request page for foster kids at everychildoregon.org.

Your guide will notify you as soon as possible and give you the opportunity to re-book or receive a refund of your deposit. We cannot refund travel related expenses that you may have incurred.

Your guide will do what they can to put you on fish, however fish are wild animals and do not listen to us. We’ve tried to talk to them and you’d have better luck talking to a teenager with noise cancelling headphones on. What your trip provides is the opportunity to catch fish if the fish are willing to bite.

You are responsible for ensuring that you follow all federal and state laws and regulations. This includes laws that prohibit littering, polluting waterways, and harassing wildlife. You are also responsible for following all fishing regulations for the area that you are fishing in. If you intentionally violate the law you will be the one that receives and pays for the ticket. Fishing regulations can change on a daily basis. You should review the regulations at wdfw.wa.gov and myodfw.com. If you have a question about a regulation, each of these states has a hotline that lets you call and get your questions answered for free. Your guide will operate under their understanding of the most current regulations however they are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.

Intentional violation of the law will result in the ending of your trip and you being returned to port without a refund. Insistence on retention of fish or shellfish that are not legal to retain will result in relevant wildlife authorities being notified.

Accidents happen. A big fish can break a pole, gear can get snagged and lost, sometimes things fall overboard. You are not responsible for any accidental loss or damage to equipment being used for the purpose of fishing. If you intentionally damage, destroy, or lose equipment you will be responsible for replacing that equipment.

You can be denied boarding or future booking if in the judgement of the guide that you are likely to pose a risk to the safety and operation of the vessel, others, or yourself.