Rochester, WA · 3rd-generation guide
Southwest Washington steelhead, salmon and sturgeon
Third-generation guide Beau Smith puts the rod in your hands on the Cowlitz, the Columbia and the Grays Harbor rivers.
Run timing
What’s biting, month by month
Steelhead and salmon seasons follow state regulations and can change year to year.
Steelhead
Winter and summer runs on the Cowlitz and Grays Harbor tributaries.
See the trip
Salmon
Spring and fall Chinook, then coho through December.
See the trip
Sturgeon
Catch and release on the Columbia, all year.
See the trip
Your guide
Guiding is in the family
Beau is the third generation of Smiths to guide southwest Washington. He has spent more than ten years on the water, from rivers across the state to Togiak, Alaska.
- Corky SmithGrandfather, Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
- Bob SmithDad, carried on the tradition
- Beau SmithYour guide, always testing new techniques
Southwest Washington fishing guide
Three rivers, three species, one local guide
LeadHead Guide Service runs guided steelhead, salmon and sturgeon trips across southwest Washington, from the Cowlitz River to the lower Columbia and the rivers of Grays Harbor.
Beau Smith grew up fishing this corner of the state with his dad and grandfather, both guides. Today he puts that local knowledge to work for families, first-timers and experienced anglers who want a full day on productive water without guessing where the fish are.
Where we fish
- Cowlitz River: hatchery-fed winter and summer steelhead, spring and fall Chinook and coho between the Barrier Dam and the river’s mouth at Longview and Kelso.
- Lower Columbia River: catch-and-release white sturgeon all year, plus spring and fall Chinook.
- Grays Harbor rivers: the Chehalis River and its tributaries, best known for fall coho, with fall Chinook and winter steelhead too.
Why anglers book with Beau
Most guides in the region pick one river and stay there. Beau follows the fish. When the Cowlitz is blown out, Grays Harbor may be fishing well. When steelhead slow down, sturgeon are always an option. That flexibility means more days with fish in the boat, and it is why so many clients book again before they leave the ramp.
Every trip includes rods, reels, tackle, bait and safety gear, a heated boat on cold days, and your fish cleaned and bagged at the end of the day. You bring a license, warm layers and something to eat.
Guided trips
One price per angler
Every trip includes gear, bait and safety equipment. Pick your fish, pick your date and reserve your spot online.
Dec to AugSteelhead
- Winter and summer runs
- Cowlitz and Grays Harbor tributaries
- Jet sled or drift boat
Mar to DecSalmon
- Spring and fall Chinook
- Coho through December
- Columbia and Grays Harbor
From the boat
What anglers say
★★★★★“Asking when we could go again before we even got off the boat.”
Tiffany Cordes, on her 7-year-old’s first guided trip
★★★★★“Always thinking outside the box.”
Joel Belmont
★★★★★“I had an absolute blast today.”
Joshua Ramsey
100%recommended across 23 Facebook reviews
Plan your day
What’s included and what to bring
What we provide
- All fishing gear, bait and safety equipment
- Your fish filleted and bagged at the end of the trip
- A heater when you need one
What to bring
- Your Washington fishing license
- A catch record card for salmon and steelhead
- Waders or vinyl rain gear and waterproof boots
- Lunch and drinks
- A cooler to take your catch home
Good to know
Before you book
Questions about licenses, gear or bringing the kids? Here are the ones we hear most. Anything else, call Beau.
Call 360-269-6574Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Every angler needs a Washington fishing license, plus a catch record card for salmon and steelhead. Buy them online from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before your trip.
What is included in a guided trip?
All fishing gear, bait and safety equipment, and a heater when needed. Your fish are filleted and bagged at the end of the day.
What should I bring?
Your license and catch record card, clothing for the weather (waders, vinyl rain gear and waterproof boots), lunch and drinks, and a cooler for your catch.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. Beau has guided first-timers and young anglers, and he is patient with both. Tell us the ages when you book so we can pick the right water.
Are limits guaranteed?
No guide can promise fish, and limits are not guaranteed. On our coho trips, limits are very common.
What kind of boat will we fish from?
A jet sled, power boat or drift boat, depending on the river and the fishery.
Where do trips launch?
It depends on the fishery and the week. Cowlitz trips usually launch between Toledo and Castle Rock, sturgeon and spring Chinook trips on the lower Columbia, and coho trips on the Chehalis system near Montesano and Elma. Beau confirms the meeting spot when you book.
How long is a guided trip?
Most trips run about eight hours, starting early in the morning. Timing shifts with the season, tides and river conditions.
Now booking
Pick your run. Pick your day.
Open dates are on the calendar now, and you can reserve your spot in a couple of minutes.