Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring?

• Soft-soled shoes (athletic, running shoes, tennis shoes, etc.). We do not recommend flip-flop / tong sandles, high heels, or dress shoes. The deck can be a little slippery when wet or when a fish is landed. 
• Warm clothes / windbreaker jacket. Quite often it can be 75 degrees on shore and 55 degrees on the water. It is better too have layers of clothes that you can take off, versus not having enough. Being too cold can ruin a fishing trip.
• Sun screen. Unique to being on the water is the fact that you are exposed to the sun from above and from below. The surface of the water will reflect UV sunlight and in effect, double-expose you. You can sunburn twice as fast on the water, even on lightly cloudy days. 
• Sunglasses (see above).
• Cooler with ice for your fish. Have this available when we return to shore to transport your fish. You do not need to bring a cooler aboard, but have one available to preserve your catch.
• Fishing license. If you have a full season license, you must have the Great Lakes Salmon / Trout Stamp. You may purchase a 2-day license which does not require this additional endorsement.  

What else might I want to bring?

• Motion sickness pills. If you get motion sick, you should take something at least two hours before departure. Nothing will ruin a trip faster than getting seasick, for you and for your fellow fisherman. If you are not sure if you will get seasick, you are better taking a remedy in advance. Options include: Ginger Root, Bonine, Dramamine. For more information on causes and remedies click on this link: About Seasickness
• Food / beverage. I plan to have some snacks and non-alcholic beverages aboard. But, you may want to bring a full meal for longer trips.
• Camera. We will provide still shots and video footage of your trip, but you may want to take some of your own pictures. 
• Rain gear. The Ella Rae II has an enclosed cabin to get you out of the rain. But, someone needs to reel in all the fish. If you choose to volunteer, you will need to be on the fishing deck and a rain jacket will come in handy.  

Do you guarantee we will catch fish?

I guarantee your trip will be enjoyable. If are not satisfied or you feel we did not earn our pay for the day, let Captain Geoff or Captain Chris know and we will make sure you are well taken care of. We would like you to come back and fish with us again. On rare occassions skunks happen. I had NO skunks in 2007 and ONE in 2008 (for 5+ hour trips).

Do you accept credit cards?

We accept Mastercard and Visa as well as PayPal and Google Checkout. We also accept checks and good old fashioned cash. You can make your deposit or pay in full here at the website, by mail, or at the dock.

Is tipping the crew expected??

Crew members are compensated wholly by you. They do not earn an hourly wage or stipend. Charter fishing is a service industry so consider how you would figure a tip for a waiter / waitress and tip accordingly please. If you feel at any point like the service level is not up to your standards please do not hesitate to speak up.

How old do you have to be to go charter fishing?

The Fish Doctors love nothing more than introducing kids to fishing. We will provide all the assistance they need to reel in the big ones. We recommend that they be at least 8 years old. Please, no infant or toddlers for the sake of their safety.

When is the best time of year for charter fishing?

Great question! The answer is...it depends.

Throughout spring (April - May) the Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), Brown Trout, and Lake Trout are very active and close to shore. Browns and Lakers get as big or bigger than most of the salmon have been in recent years. Rainbows are the acrobats of the lake and may spend as much time out of the water as in, while engaged in battle. All Trout are found year round, but closer to shore in spring generally.

The Coho Salmon begin running in the middle of May and go through the middle of June. This is fast action with hard-hitting, hard-fighting fish that are often found in thick schools. It is rare to hook up on one Coho without getting hooked up with several at a time when this run is on.

Right behind the Cohos (July - October) are the "Mighty" King Salmon (Chinook). King Salmon take up residence in the area in late June or the beginning of July. They remain until the four year olds make their fateful spawning run up the river or the younger ones move back south or mid-lake in the late fall. The "King" of all salmon is the most well-known for making drags scream as they run line off at 20 feet per second. Hold on tight and hope you enough line on the reel.

Late Fall / Winter: The fastest 3-person limit (15 fish) I have ever caught came in 75 minutes in February. The fish are tightly packed in warm water areas and food is harder to find with more competition. Mother Nature dictates fishing days so we don't include this as part of our season. If you would be interested in a winter fishing trip, email Captain Geoff by going to the Contact page.

Is there a best time of day to catch fish?

Generally, fish feed during light transition times. An hour before and after dawn and dusk are the highest activity times, again, in general. That said, some of the largest fish caught are what we call "mid-day nomads". When you have a fish hit at high noon for example, be ready for what may be the biggest fish of the day.

What if the weather is too bad to fish?

There is nothing more important than our guests safety and comfort. If the weather is too rough to fish, we will make every effort to re-schedule your trip for another time and/or day. If you are from out of town and will not have another opportunity to get out while you are here, we will refund your deposit or apply it to a future booking (your call). Ultimately, it is the captain's call to cancel a trip due to bad weather. Check the Links page for a link to the local marine forecast and current conditons.

May we bring beer onboard?

You are welcome to bring your beverage of choice aboard, but we would prefer you did not bring hard liquor. Boating and intoxication are not a good mix. If the captain or crew deem any member of a fishing party to be intoxicated to the point that they are a risk to the safety of themselves, their fellow passengers, the crew / captain, or the vessel, the trip will be terminated immediately. Payment for the charter will still be in full. Sorry to sound a little harsh on this point, but it is very important.

99.9% of people are very responsible on this point, but if you are the "bad apple" be advised of the policy. It has never happened on any boat I have been on in 30 years, but I know it has happened with other captains. It is not just unsafe and spoils the trip, but it is illegal. Thanks for your understanding.