“My dad and I went fishing with Bonner for winter steelhead. We had gone out on the Skykomish the day before and it was brown and on the rise. SO the next day Bonner took us out to a smaller river on the peninsula. It was awsome to say the least. He knew the river like the back of his hand, had everything ready (even though we broke off 30 plus rigs), and worked hard to get us on fish. The river conditions were not good, still high and low water clarity. Regardless he got us on the fish I landed my biggest hatchery steelhead to date, the fish put up an impressive fight but those Fetha Styx rods got that fish on the bank. Once we got back to the launch and talked to some other guys, we found out that nobody else got into fish. Bonner is a great guide, tons of fun to fish with, taught me alot of new techniques, and got us on the fish.
I’m looking forward to future trips (hopefully the Cowlitz in March) with Bonner to fool some more “big dumb trout”. The dude knows what he’s doing and knows how to make a trip memorable. My dad and I both were very impressed.
Thanks again Bonner” -Tyler Y
“You took pictures, too, yesterday? I’ll be darned. You are QUITE a guide, Bonner. We will look forward to your sharing them.
Morris had a terrific time fishing with you, and, of course, those fish he brought home were/are truly superb. We had salmon for dinner last night, which I always enjoy, and I had scrambled eggs and salmon as a special treat for breakfast additionally. It has been years, I can tell you, since Morris caught any fish that big. I’m sure he had a terrific time pulling them in. You ‘made his day’ lots of fun, Bonner. Thank you. I am sure that he will be in touch with you for another fun time — with a couple buddies.” -Sharon
Thanks for a great day Bonner! Youre the Man!! -Mario V
“Todd was a great guide. He was very prepared, knowledgeable, excellent with the boys and we can’t imagine a better experience. If there are better guides out there, I don’t want to know about them as we’d come back and see Todd any day and twice on Sunday. Thanks Todd for a great fishing experience….oh yah..dinner was awesome!!” -Mike A
“It rained and then rained even more but it also rained fish on. 4 in the boat and several more hooked up and a lot of bumps. A great time with a great guide. The action was great. Bonner is definately a guide who knows his stuff. Book and have a great time.” -Paul R
“So looking forward to our trip in 25 days… yes, I am counting!” -Dawnab
Todd, Thank you so much for the awesome time on the water. This was the greatest fishing experience I have ever had. I would recommend your services to anyone!!!!! You had a great personality and did not bore us to death but entertained us with your personality and knowledge. Big Thanks to “FETHA STYX”!!! Thanks again!!! -Ray M
“Right before Christmas I got together with some friends and we did a trek down to the Cowlitz and went fishing with Bonner and Todd Daniels.
There were 7 of us in total. Joel, Jeff and Anders went in Todd’s boat, while David, Sina, Adam and myself went with Bonner.
We did the side drifting thing right around the Blue Creek boat launch. For “bait” we mostly used yarn flies tied on the hook, and later a small corkie and artificial egg.
When you side drift you cast to the side of the boat. The boat drifts downstream with the current. You can feel the weight go “tap tap tap” along the rocks as you drift downstream. You wait for something to grab your offering, at which point you set the hook and hopefully it is “Fish On!” instead of a grabby rock.
Last winter it was totally crazy with the number boats and bank anglers. This year was much nicer. Just a handful of boats out and maybe 10 people on the bank.
My carload got to the launch at 7:30. After getting geared up we got on the boat. Bonner had everything all set and ready to go. After some quick instructions to get everyone up to speed we started fishing.
The morning was slow. We made many passes without any action. Finally Sina yelled out “Fish On!” and started the fight. The fish started by jumping several times, but then stopped once I got out my camera. Adam had grabbed the net but was slow, missing the fish a couple of times. After about 5 minutes the fish was tiring, Bonner made a quick lunge with the net and we had that fish in the boat. It had been hooked in the “back of the upper jaw.” As Sina was getting his picture with it eggs were pouring out of the back and at first he didn’t know what to do to stop it.
We then got back to fishing. Every once in a while we’d pull over to the bank to retie leaders, have a potty break or whatever. When Todd saw us to that he would bring his boat over and we’d all chat.
At one point we went farther up river to give a different location a try. We didn’t get much action then, but I did catch a small whitefish in near the mouth of a small creek coming into the river.
At 11:30 we all took a break for lunch. We went up river to a nice open bank area and pulled over. From 7:30 till then Sina’s fish was the only one for the 2 boats.
After lunch everyone was refreshed and ready to be fishing again.
That first pass both boats got a fish on and too the boat. David was the lucky guy on our boat. I netted it for him. The fish was a survivior having some scars and cuts on it from avoiding seals.
A few more passes and David hooked up again. This fish was nice and chrome.
At last I had a fish on. Adam was back on the net and as he netted it the fish jumped. So Adam followed it up with the net. As the net went up and over the boat I thought he was going to let it carry all the way over to the other side of the boat. Me, Bonner and David all reached out and stopped the net when it was pointing straight up.
During all this time Todd’s boat was getting some hookups too.
Eventually it was about 3:30 and we needed to stop, get our pictures and the boats loaded up before it got dark.
We went back to where we had lunch and got our group shots. The final score was 8 fish between the 2 boats. Sina’s first of the day wound up being the largest with an estimated 12 lbs, with second place around 11lbs. Most of the fish were around that 7 lbs average.
While we were cleaning the fish some guys got adventurous and tried fresh steelhead roe. I wasn’t that brave, but they said it was good. Joel was told you have to eat the heart of your first steelhead, and so he ate about half of it – I’ll never look at him in the same way again.
Then it was back to the launch and driving home. It was a lot of fun.” -Nathan N.
Went fishing with Todd & and; Bonner yesterday at Sammamish Lake. This was absolutely the best experience fishing EVER!!! These guys are the best – excellent fishmerman and awesome personality. I sincerely had a blast with these guys- but in fact they helped me catch the biggest fish in my life #30 King. A memorable experience for me and grateful to share the time with these excellent guides that helped make it all possible. I highly recommend these 2 guys to everyone that is interested in catching fish and having fun. PS – Loved the “Fetha Styx” poles.
Todd is one of the best fishermen I’ve seen in my life. also his a great guy his actually helping me with my senior project for high school its a big project that i need to do to graduate. His tryin to teach me how to fish and with him it’s a lot of fun.-Stephen M.
Hey Todd, thanks for a great day of fishing on the Cowlitz (Apr 9, 2011). I was thoroughly impressed your guide work, I learned a lot, and my boys were talking about this experience all the way home. They really got a kick out of the whole affair. I know it stimulated them to want to do more fishing. Perhaps we will see you again sometime in the near future. Good luck, stay safe, and thanks again.