Fishing Guide Boat for Oregon & Columbia River Fishing Trips

If you are booking a guided fishing trip in Oregon or Washington, the boat you fish from matters. At Marvin’s Guide Service, I run a large, comfortable, and dependable guide boat designed for Columbia River fishing, Oregon Coast fishing, Buoy 10 salmon fishing, sturgeon fishing, walleye fishing, and crabbing trips.

My name is Marvin Henkel, and I have spent more than 27 years guiding clients on the Columbia River, Willamette River, Oregon Coast, and Pacific Ocean. My boat is designed to help clients stay comfortable, safe, and productive while fishing some of the best waters in Oregon and Washington.

Whether you are fishing for salmon, sturgeon, walleye, or heading to the coast for Dungeness crab, my guide boat is fully equipped and ready for the trip.

Ready to fish? Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087 or fill out my trip inquiry form. I will personally get back to you to discuss available dates and fishing opportunities.

27-foot Alumaweld Columbia River salmon fishing guide boat

27-Foot Alumaweld Intruder Guide Boat

I guide from a 27-foot Alumaweld Intruder, powered by a Mercury 225 horsepower outboard, a Mercury 9.9 horsepower kicker motor, and a bow-mounted electric trolling motor.

This combination gives us the power and control needed for trolling, anchoring, navigating big water, and making precise adjustments while fishing.

The Columbia River can become rough quickly, especially around Astoria, Buoy 10, the lower Columbia River estuary, and the Columbia River Gorge. Having a larger guide boat provides a smoother ride, excellent stability, more fishing room, and a more comfortable experience for my clients.

Many clients comment on how much room the boat has compared with smaller fishing boats. Whether you are fishing with friends, family, coworkers, or bringing children along, the extra space makes a big difference.

Built for Columbia River Salmon Fishing

One of the main fisheries I guide is Columbia River salmon fishing. My guide boat is set up specifically for trolling large rivers and estuary systems where salmon fishing can change daily depending on tides, current, water conditions, and fish movement.

During spring Chinook season, we fish around Portland, the Willamette River, and different sections of the Columbia River. During summer and fall, trips may take place near Astoria, Hammond, Warrenton, Buoy 10, and other productive lower Columbia River salmon areas.

Rod holders, trolling equipment, electronics, and plenty of open fishing space allow us to run an organized spread while giving clients enough room to comfortably fight fish.

Learn more about my Buoy 10 salmon fishing trips near Astoria.

Sturgeon Fishing Guide Boat Setup

Sturgeon fishing requires a strong, stable, and dependable boat. Giant Columbia River sturgeon are extremely powerful fish, and having enough space to move around safely is important.

My boat is fully equipped for Columbia River sturgeon fishing trips, including heavy-duty tackle, large landing equipment, and plenty of room for fighting fish and taking photographs before release.

Sturgeon fishing is one of the most exciting fisheries in Oregon. Many of my clients book specifically for the opportunity to catch and release a giant oversized Columbia River sturgeon.

Walleye Fishing Boat Setup

My boat is also set up for productive Columbia River walleye fishing trips.

Walleye fishing often requires covering water, trolling along structure, following depth changes, and using marine electronics to locate productive areas. The large fishing platform, electronics, bow-mounted trolling motor, and trolling setup help us fish efficiently while giving clients plenty of room to move around the boat.

The Columbia River has become one of the top walleye fisheries in the Pacific Northwest, and anglers travel from around the country to fish these waters.

Crabbing & Oregon Coast Fishing Trips

In addition to river fishing, my boat is used for Oregon Coast crabbing trips and selected ocean fishing opportunities when conditions allow.

Fishing and crabbing near Astoria and the Oregon Coast can be an incredible experience, especially during the fall and winter when fresh Dungeness crab are available.

The size, stability, covered seating, electronics, and open deck space make the boat well suited for setting and pulling crab pots while keeping clients comfortable.

If you are planning an Astoria fishing trip, these pages can help:

Guide Boat Comfort & Weather Protection

Fishing in Oregon means weather conditions can change quickly. My guide boat has a removable covered top that helps protect clients from rain, wind, cold mornings, and changing weather conditions.

The covered and heated setup is especially helpful during cold-weather salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and crabbing trips. On warmer days, the top can be opened to provide more airflow and sunshine.

The boat also has adjustable sliding seats that can be arranged depending on the weather, the number of clients, and how we are fishing that day.

I want clients to stay comfortable so they can concentrate on enjoying the trip and catching fish.

Lowrance ActiveTarget, Radar & Marine Electronics

My guide boat is equipped with high-quality marine electronics and navigation equipment, including Lowrance GPS units, radar, traditional sonar, fish-finding technology, and advanced trolling motor controls.

I recently added a new bow-mounted trolling motor and a Lowrance ActiveTarget live sonar system. ActiveTarget provides a real-time view of fish, bait, and underwater structure, giving me another useful tool for locating fish and understanding what is happening beneath and around the boat.

I also use a Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot system to help maintain boat control during trolling and other fishing situations where speed, direction, and positioning matter.

Modern marine electronics are valuable for navigation, depth tracking, identifying structure, locating fish, monitoring changing conditions, and improving overall safety on the water.

Fishing Safety Equipment

Safety is always a top priority on my guided fishing trips. My guide boat carries important safety equipment, including inflatable life jackets, a life ring, first-aid supplies, emergency communication equipment, radios, and required river and ocean safety gear.

After more than 27 years of guiding on the Columbia River, Willamette River, Oregon Coast, and Pacific Ocean, I understand how important preparation, good judgment, and dependable equipment are for a successful fishing trip.

Weather, wind, tides, river conditions, and Columbia River Bar conditions are always considered before leaving the dock.

Trusted Boat & Fishing Equipment Partners

My Alumaweld Intruder was custom built with help from Stevens Marine. Their team has helped me with boats, motors, maintenance, and equipment throughout my guiding career.

Stevens Marine also includes Marvin’s Guide Service on its Oregon fishing guides page. I appreciate their continued support and the work they have done to help keep my guide boat dependable and ready for clients.

I am also proud to work with Coldwater Strong, a Pacific Northwest company that supplies salmon trolling equipment, bumper systems, fish bags, and other gear I use during my fishing season.

Marvin’s Guide Service is included among Coldwater Strong’s Pro Salmon Charter Guides. Their products are built for the same Columbia River and Pacific Northwest salmon fisheries that I guide throughout the year.

These relationships are based on equipment I personally use and companies I trust—not simply names added to the side of the boat.

Where I Fish in Oregon & Washington

Depending on the season, you may find me guiding on the Columbia River, Willamette River, lower Columbia River estuary, Astoria, Hammond, Warrenton, Buoy 10, Portland-area fisheries, the Columbia River Gorge, and selected areas of the Oregon Coast and Pacific Ocean.

I guide anglers from across Oregon, Washington, and the United States who are looking for professional guided fishing trips for salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and Dungeness crab.

Fishing locations change throughout the season so clients can fish where the best opportunities are available.

Why the Right Fishing Guide Boat Matters

The boat is one of the biggest parts of your guided fishing experience. A large, well-equipped guide boat provides more comfort, more stability, additional fishing room, better weather protection, and a safer overall experience on the water.

Dependable motors and electronics are also important. They allow us to spend more time fishing and help me make adjustments as weather, tides, current, depth, and fish locations change.

Whether you are bringing your family, booking a corporate fishing trip, fishing with friends, or chasing a personal-best fish, my boat is designed to make the trip comfortable, enjoyable, and productive.

Book Your Oregon Fishing Trip

If you are ready to fish from one of the most comfortable and capable guide boats on the Columbia River, contact Marvin’s Guide Service.

Prime fishing dates often fill quickly during salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and crabbing seasons.

Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087.

You can also fill out my fishing trip inquiry form. I will personally contact you to discuss available dates, current fishing opportunities, meeting locations, and trip options.

Marvin's 27-foot Columbia River fishing guide boat