My Mission
Getting You Into Big Fish
My enthusiasm for fishing drives me to help, educate and coach others to become successful at fishing, no matter the skill level or age. My lifelong passion gives me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned along the way.
My Credentials
I am a fully-licensed, United States Coast Guard-approved fishing guide and I hold all the required insurance and credentials to be fully operational in both Oregon and Washington State.
My Boat
I fish out of a very stable and comfortable 23′ Alumaweld Columbia with all the necessary equipment to keep everyone safe and fishing with confidence.
Steve Balodis prides himself in being a family-oriented person that is fun, safe and enjoyable to be around.
My Story
A Lifelong Passion
My fishing career began in 1975 when I was 4 years old when my dad placed me in his back pack and hiked into well known Western Washington rivers known as the Satsop, Chehalis and Wynochee Rivers. Back then my dad, my grandfather and I were in pursuit of the elusive steelhead. We fished in areas along the river banks known secretly as the Tokeland Hole, Snag Hole and the Piling Hole just to name a few.
Although pretty young at that age, I remember every trip we took and the curiosity that came with them. Some days it seemed I was more interested in the salamanders in the area side pools and other days more interested in what was in the lunch box and maybe starting a fire in the old barrel that was placed in the hand built plunking shacks. As time went on and continuing down the fishing trail, I began to ask more questions like “why do we put the fish eggs we use for bait in borax?” or “why are we using different color spin-n-glows?” Then more questions would spawn “why do we place this cork in front of our presentation?” It was this and the curiosity of being in nature that I found the love for fishing.
As I grew older, the passion for fishing continued. I Continued to fish my way thru grade school, high school, college and made sure of whatever career path I choose – there was water to fish. I began to become very familiar with the waters of the area – the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, many different Olympic Peninsula Rivers (Sol Duc, Hoh, Bogachiel, Queets and the Hama Hama to name a few), Nooksack River, Skagit River, Klamath Lake, Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir and of course the mighty Columbia River.
As the years passed, I honed in on my fishing skills, sharpened my knowledge of fishing techniques and repeatedly fished areas and seasons to maximize my catch rate.
My experiences and passion have brought me this far and now I feel that it is time I put on the backpack and welcome you along to a fantastic, fun, adventurous and memorable day on the water. Please book your trip with Columbia Chrome Guide Service… you won’t regret it!
