Meet
Our Guides

Seriously good guides will make your trip all it can be. Our guides have years of experience guiding  and experience matters when you are planning a trip in a short window of time. Everyone can have good days, but our experienced guides know how to get fish even when the fishing gets challenging. We are group of dedicated fisherman who will do what it takes to make your fishing adventure all that it can be.


Dan Dowell

Dan is the only one left of the original guides in Ucluelet and loves catching large salmon. This passion doesn’t affect his halibut fishing–he can do both well—but he’s passionate about seeing large Chinook salmon come to the dock. Dan has more patience than most and will wait out in a spot when everyone else has given up. His experience is often rewarded and he has a reputation for catching fewer total salmon so that he can get the big one. He is one of the best at fishing large spoons or whole herring while the Chinook (Kings) are running during July and August.

We all admire Dan’s ability to figure out where the bigger Chinook (Kings) are hiding. He guided a third place finish in one of two salmon derbies during 2009, the largest salmon in the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby 2010,  and the winner of the Ucluelet Ladder Salmon Derby final fish-off in 2011. Ucluelet hasn't had any derbies for a few years, but if there was Dan would be at the top.

Keith Nakagawa

Select Image to view Keith was born and raised in Ucluelet, and has been fishing our beautiful local waters his entire life.  Growing up, Keith's father had him working on board their family commercial fishing boat named after his grandmother.

His wealth of knowledge, experience and positive attitude are what make him a great charter captain. He is an avid fisher and knows how to reel them in. Previous to being hired by Salmon Eye in 2015,  Keith spent many yeass as captain of a 50' Canadian Princess boat and the last couple years running a couple of sport boats as they changed their program. He not only has a wealth of knowledge about the area, but he also know how to give you a great time!

 Whether you are new to sport fishing or a grizzled veteran, he will assure you have a memorable time on the West Coast and go home with your own fishing tales to share. On his downtime, you can find Keith on the golf course for a round of 9, 18 or maybe 27 holes if the weather permits.

Kody Walker

Select Image to viewKody loves fishing more than most. His dad was a commercial fisherman on the west coast of Vancouver Island for many years and this planted an early seed.

Kody started and ran a company but then switched careers   to follow his passion and fish on a full time basis during the summers.

He has honed his skills on catching both salmon and halibut with a slightly higher interest in the halibut.  He has coined  the name Kody's  Korner for his favorite halibut hole that is known for producing better sized halibut.

If you come on his boat he will tell you many fish stories which will include some of the recent max size limit halibut taken from his secret spots.

Kody is very friendly and will be happy to share his enthusiasm for fishing and helping you catch your winter's supply of salmon and halibut.


Tyler Kaye

Tyler has been holding a fishing rod  as long as he can remember. From fishing with his grandpa in the Alberta lakes and later moving out to the west coast, fishing was very much a part of life.

His father taught  him how to  run gear at a young age and this later turned into Tyler's obsession. He really loves catching bottom fish but has also excelled at fishing close to shore around Ucluelet for large Chinook (King) salmon.

As much as Tyler loves being able to reel in a big fish, he now finds enjoyment by watching others reel in the fish with giant smiles on their faces.

If we had to summarize Tyler, we would say his is a blend of tenacity for finding fish and about as much fun as you can handle. Tyler loves putting a smile on your face and will do everything in his power to do so.
 

Kyle Laminski

Select Image to viewKyle started fishing Ucluelet in his teens and then started guiding not long after.

He spent the last 10 years showing guests the techniques in catching salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. He is just happiest catching and you will see his big wide grin largest when the salmon or halibut are coming in quickly.

Growing up on the water,in Port Alberni,  Kyle formed a desire early on to be on the water catching fish. He probably loves anchovies more than most has a reputation of having a nose for the fish.

We are confident you will hearing about his knowledge of fishing and wildlife which frequents the Ucluelet waters.

Sam Vandervalk

Sam is the owner of Salmon Eye Charters and is thrilled to have such great guides working with him. Having a skilled team creates the perfect environment to ensure every boat produces fish and, at the same time, leaves clients happy. Sam is one of the primary contacts for Salmon Eye Charters, so chances are you will talk to him when booking your trip. He doesn't guide much anymore but you may see him around the office.

You may have seen Sam on the Outdoor Channel or heard him on the radio talking about salmon fishing in British Columbia. With experienced guides, safe and comfortable boats, the best accommodation for your money, and a quality vacuum-packed product to take home with you, Sam is committed to keeping Salmon Eye Charters as one of the top sport fishing tour companies out there.