Reviews of Coastal Wilderness Adventures (Fish Shop)

Cory Metz

Big thank you to Curtis - Coastal Wilderness Adventures for arranging our trip and answering all our questions/concerns! Our PROFESSION GUIDE - STEVE, consistantly had us into the Chinooks. Landed pinks, cohos as well. The dedication and determination Steve plys to his craft resulted in an unforgettable 2 day fishing trip experience. From the hardware, tackle, rods, and the boat - everything was first class. I highly recomend booking through these guys - you won't be disappointed. Our only regret is that we didn't book for a couple more days.... This was our first salmon charter and will be booking a return trip!! Buckle up!!

Anna M

We had an awesome time with Curtis! We were a boat full of beginners and he got us hooked (literally) on fishing! He made it so easy and simple, we felt safe in his hands and we leaned so much. You can tell he has years of experience on these waters because he knew the depth and landscape of the ocean floor below us, he knew which areas the fish gather in at any give time of day and even knew what we most likely had on the end of our line before the fish even surfaced. The trip was worth every penny!

Johnnie

Wish I could give Curtis 10/5! Amazing guide, such a positive attitude and overall just a blast. Thanks Curtis for making our trip to Campbell River. Highly recommend.

Robin Rainford

My 9 year son has been dying to learn how to fish so I booked a father and son adventure! I found myself competing to get tge biggest catch of the day! Curtis was super patient, relaxed and a ton of fun teaching us the ropes! This day could not have been better and it will go down in family history as an uber day on the water!

Lindsay Risk

Today I went fly fishing and river rafting - a bucket list double header. It was amazing, thanks to Curtis and Coastal Wilderness Adventures. I’m a beginner fly fishing. Before today I was slightly intimidated by the whole thing - but Curtis made it feel easy. He coached me through the basics and then just let me try. I felt at ease in his presence and inspired by his passion for the wilderness and the landscape, the fish and wildlife that inhabit the lad through which we meandered. He knew where the fish were and what little adjustments that needed to be made in order to catch them. It was so much fun. Without a doubt I’d do it again and recommend others do the same. Go play outdoors people; support the local guides and companies like Coastal Wilderness Adventures; they will show you why they love doing what they do and will make you love it too!

Jasmine Lorimer

I had an incredible time on a 2 day fishing trip with my partner, with Curtis as our guide. It felt like we knew him forever - super friendly, personable, positive and obviously very experienced at what he does. In all of the years that I have lived in BC, I have never had such a true British Columbia experience as this one. On top of catching a 25 lb salmon (plus many more), we foraged for oysters, had visits from seals, saw some sea lions, a family of orcas, and a humpback whale all in 2 days! I really appreciated that Curtis had no problem taking a break from fishing to check out the whales that were in the area nearby, and as someone who really likes to document her experiences, I was happy to see that Curtis had no problem snapping a few photos for us :) No matter your skill level, or what type of trip you'd like to have, I felt that this company was really happy to accomodate. Highly recommend!

Lois Watson

Took my brother and his wife on a trip with Curtis last fall and they are still talking about it! We caught lots of fish, saw whales, Eagles,dolphins and sea lions. What more could you ask for. They will be back and asked me to make sure we go out with Curt again.

Matthew Fox

We were showed an excellent time. We were very well taken care of. Curtis had great equipment and knew exactly where the fishing was good. Even though we had little to no experience we were able to get right in on the action and enjoy the thrill and serenity of being out on the water. Thanks for the great memories!

Deanna Collins

Top Notch Guide with a beautiful Boat.

Steve B

Curtis was an excellent guide! Not only was he extremely knowledgeable and ensured that the rods were in the water all of the times, but he knew where the big fish hide out! We caught nearly every species of salmon in the waters around Campbell River and some Lingcod as well. I would HIGHLY recommend Curtis and Coastal Wilderness Adventures to anybody looking for an awesome day, a great guide, and looking for non-stop action. Thanks again, Curtis and Coastal Wilderness Adventures for a weekend I will never forget.

Conor Schick

Our whole family had a fantastic day with a super friendly, knowledgeable guide, with all the gear and all the local knowledge. We saw all kinds of wildlife, beautiful coastline, and had great weather. Most importantly the fishing was great!! Highly recommend!!

Christian Rawles

I've fished with Coastal WIlderness Adventures several times over the years for a total of 6 days of fishing. Each day has been great fishing with beautiful scenery and most of all....tons of fun! I highly recommend fishing with Curtis and Coastal Wilderness Adventures. I've fished with guides in other locations and none of them have come close to providing the same level of experience, knowledge and good fishing that Curtis has.

Kurtis Kelly

Best fishing experience I’ve ever had… and it’s not even close. My buddy and I went through Coastal and our guide, Justin, was unreal. Justin brought us down backroads to get to our fishing spot and we were the only ones in sight. On the way down the backroad we saw a a bunch of elk, one bull and a few cows, and at the spot we even saw a black bear across the river (Justin had a horn and spray on him so we were never concerned). Both of us caught a bunch of fish and had a ton of fun learning to fly cast. Couldn’t recommend this team enough.

Jordan Almond

Great day on the water with the family! Non-stop fish, kids had a great time! Best charter in the business, would recommend to anyone!

Murielle Cayouette

We had a great time on the water with our guide Ben. He was friendly, knowledgeable and went above and beyond so this special day as a family would be as enjoyable as possible. The boat and equipments were top notch and we caught some beautiful fish. We were also given many options on how to preserve our catches (canning, smoking etc). Thanks again for such a great day!

Parker Lodewijkx

Had a great experience with Curtis! Can’t wait to come back!

Eric Johnson

What an awesome weekend. Curtis was amazing. Day 1 was chinook galore. He knew the spots and the fish kept biting. I’m a noob and he did an incredible job of explaining the different fish, what to look for and more importantly how to respectfully catch and release the fish we caught! When we weren’t catching 20 pounders we were snacking on fresh oysters on the boat and watching whales and sea lions roam the straight. 10/10 - can’t wait to bring my dad and brother back soon!

Owen Murovec

Awesome experience, got to see some incredible wildlife, catch some salmon and even go for a swim.

Dean Broomham

Very professional, and knowledgeable.

Kenny Alexander

Shout out to Curtis for a very enjoyable day. We were so fortunate to see Humpbacks, Orca, Dolphins, Eagle and many fish. Curtis is truly an experienced professional who goes the extra mile to ensure you are having a great time and helping you hook the big one. Also enjoyed his knowledge and history of the channel and sharing some great insight and stories. We would most certainly recommend Coastal Wilderness Adventures!

Jon Erickson

Our family had a blast salmon fishing with Curtis on a beautiful day off the coast of Vancouver Island. He is very personable, knowledgeable, and friendly and he related very well to everyone in our family including our 4 and 8 year old sons. We landed some beauty Chinooks, a couple Pinks and some catch & release wild Coho and had a lot of fun in the process. Curtis went above and beyond and, in addition to bringing us to the fish and sharing his advice, acted as a nature guide and a photographer, ensuring that everyone had a wicked glory shot with their trophies - which he shared with us the evening of our trip. I can't recommend Coastal Wilderness Adventures enough. Thank you again for a great day of fishing.

Black Angus

We did a fly fishing trip with our guide, Justin, from Coastal Wilderness Adventures. Justin was awesome with us and it so nice having someone who could ensure that we had all the right gear and who knew the area so well. With loads of patience, attention and guidance, Justin not only gave us a much needed trip to beautiful remote locations with wonderful scenery after almost 2 years of COVID restrictions, but he also managed to take me from zero fly fishing experience to catching salmon on the fly in only a few hours. Justin also taught us how to fly-fish for trout in the rivers and showed us what to practice to improve our fly casting. A single day with Justin has given me everything I needed to get started fly fishing and I now feel confident that, with practice, I will be able progress forward, improving these skills.

Jordan Starr

Had an incredible day fishing with Curtis. We started early and caught some beautiful fish. Curtis is very knowledgeable and a lot of fun to spend the day on the water with. I’ve done multiple fishing trips in Florida, BC, Mexico, and Ontario. Curtis is hands down the best guide I’ve had. Highly recommend.

Dylan Denault

Curtis provided a fantastic weekend fishing trip. He is an experienced guide and a lot fun to be around. We travelled across spectacular Vancouver Island scenery to some of the best fishing spots I have ever experienced. Looking forward to the next trip and to more fresh fish!

Jeffrey McIsaac

We had a blast. Caught so many fish we lost count. Professional and experienced. Totally recomended!

Lindsay Vardy

We had such an awesome fishing experience - been reliving it ever since. Honestly, hard to put it into words. Highly recommend!

Darcy Doyle

Campbell River's Best Fishing Guide!! We had a great time fishing with Curtis. He was professional, he has great boat, uses top notch gear and he got us into the fish too. I highly recommend Curtis at Coastal Wilderness Adventures when fishing in Campbell River.

Pete Shpak

Curtis is the man. Tons of local knowledge and fun to be around. We slayed some salmon! Ask for the Shower Curty... it will not disappoint!

Paul Wilke

Great fishing, great time with Kyle. All around a fantastic experience from booking all the way up to our day on the water. We will definitely be back next time we make it to the island. Lots of fish. Lots of big fish. Highly recommend!

Richard Kanan

Did a father/son fishing trip for winter steelhead. Amazing time and Curtis was awesome!

Cees de Jager

Incredible two days in Campbell River with Coast Wilderness Adventures. First day out with the helicopter to see the magnificent mountain ranges and glaciers, then down to various spots to fly fish the rivers. Next day we were out in the ocean to go after salmon and lingcod - success on both fronts with humpback wales and orca sightings as a bonus. All that capped off with time spent diving off the boat to cool off in the Salish sea. Truly an epic couple days organized and guided by the best you'll find anywhere. Highly recommend Coast Wild.

Bryan Fong

Our guide was warm and easy to fish with. Day on the water was enjoyable and he put us on fish. No complaints, 10/10 would go again.

Lauryn Garrett

We had such a great time fly fishing in Campbell River with Coastal Wilderness adventures! Gene was a great teacher and an absolute riot to spend time with. As a party of 3, none of us had any fly fishing experience but we managed to each catch several chum salmon with some great advice and direction. Would absolutely repeat this adventure. Highly recommend!!

David Collins

What a day! Our fishing trip with Curtis was wonderful, and superlatives cannot be overdone here in describing the experience we all had. While we all caught huge fish, it could not have happened without Curtis' guidance and knowledge. His sense of humour and warmth made us all feel comfortable. Our novice failures were met with a smile and supportive instruction. The sunrise we all saw on our way to the fishing grounds is one that I will always remember. This is truly "an experience of a lifetime" and I cannot recommend going out fishing with Curtis enough!

Lawrie Hill

We wanted to try a wild Canadian experience and fly fishing gave it to us. Our lovely guide Justin was an experienced fly fisherman, took us to his favourite remote river, set us up with all the gear, and we had the best day out. Getting out in your beautiful natural environment, just you and the elements. I can see why people love this sport. Wish we could have stayed another day.

Paul Cowley

Captain Curtis gave us 2 fantastic 5 star days of catch and release. We caught about 26 fish each day from about 8 to 22 pounds (and about 15 that got away each day). It was a ton of fun, lots of action, lots of laughs and great for the whole family. I will be recommending to all my friends to book through Curtis at Coastal Wilderness and I'm going back!!!.

Najwinder Nangal

Best fishing experience I had also my first fishing experience but these guys took care of us very well and my kids all caught their own fish and it was fantastic.

Candice Trudel

This was a trip of a life! Happy I booked with coastal wilderness twice, and probably more in the future! He took us to one of the most beautiful locations I’ve been to here on Vancouver Island, which is saying a lot because even in my travels throughout the world I often compare those travels to parts of Vancouver Island. I have never fly fished but I caught 8 beautiful trout! He made me feel comfortable and it was easy. Cutis was absolutely lovely to talk with and he goes the extra mile for his clients to have an amazing experience. I feel so grateful for this opportunity and to Curtis for making our fly fishing dreams come true!

Jim Jay

My dad and 2 brothers fish with Curtis every summer for a 4 day fishing trip...it is the high light of our year together! You will not find a better guide...bottom line, Curtis knows how to find fish! When other boats around us are not having any bites... we are hooking up with doubles and triples!! Curtis keeps his boat and tackle in tip top shape and is very organized and he is very safe on the water. Looking forward to August 2017!! Ya Baby!! Fish on!!

Bob Styan

I have fished with Curtis numerous times over the years and most recently floated with him and a new fly fisher friend on a secret Campbell River area with gin clear waters. What a great way to beat the Covid-19 blues with friends or family with a day of fly-fishing with Curtis. He is not only a passionate and experienced guide he is a fun guy to hang out with rain or shine! I also appreciated he was fully equipped with hand sanitizer and masks if we felt we needed them. Curtis got us into several trout on both dry and wet fly last week. I also hear he is equally accomplished on the ocean. Let er happen captain!

Karel ten Hoope

My son was celebrating his 16th birthday with a buddy and his father. Curtis Smith of Coastal Wilderness Adventures was a pleasure to deal with in putting this very special trip together for the four of us. He was informed, helpful, and wonderfully accommodating. Curtis set us up with Steve, the perfect guide for our group. Steve was incredibly knowledgeable about the area, and wonderfully entertaining. We caught our limit of Chinook both days when many around us were catching nothing. He managed to keep two teen age boys fully engaged (ie. no cell phones or boat naps) both days, which was amazing considering the early morning starts. Thank you both Curtis and Steve for a memorable trip, we will definitely be back!!

M Bradley

We spent two days fishing with Curtis. One day Helicopter Fly Fishing and one Ocean Fishing. Both were incredible. The Heli day included an amazing series of events - the flight was beyond my imagination, we even saw some Mountain Goats up on the cliff sides. The remote fishing river is an experience all in itself. Curtis was an amazing Coach, we all learned how to fly fish for the first time and instantly loved it. We caught some Trout and relocated to a few unique spots throughout the day. Then on the way back we stopped on top of the mountains and spent some time “on top of the World”. Now, that seemed like a tough act to follow. Next up was the Ocean fishing day on the boat. Curtis is a legend in the making. On the way out we dropped some Prawn traps. We went a bit further into the waters and instantly started catching fish. He took us into some amazing places in Desolation Sound and we caught eight huge Chinook Salmon throughout the day. Next up, he dropped us on a remote beach to pick Oysters for lunch on the boat! On the sunset cruise home we stopped and picked up our Prawns which ended up being our dinner when we got home...amazing! I can’t say enough about these experiences - these are memories of a lifetime thanks to Curtis.

Kyle Olsen (72hdx)

Was an amazing time on the water. Curtis is great at what he does. Great knowledge of the area, good gear, great experience. The thrill of a fish on is hard to top, and with Curtis there wasn’t much time to sit and relax after setting the rods. Lucked out that he had an opening on short noticed

Scott MacMillan

Over the top on every aspect, we did a 2 day tour, 1 day ocean and 1 day stream fly fishing, Curtis was world class(we brought my 15 year old son who still says this was the best trip of his life(spoiled;)!! Already booked for next year and Refered some friends to his operation!!

Matthew Eichhorst

My family and I had a fantastic time and limited out both days fishing, after throwing the small ones back :). Kyle was a great guide on day one and Curtis was great on day two, A pic from one of our fish. Curtis takes great pictures along the way.

Nola Clarke

Just came home from two awesome days of a family/friends fishing trip with Curtis! He is so knowledgeable, attentive, funny and makes everyone feel comfortable and at ease. I learned a lot and there was never a dull moment while we hooked fish all day!! Truly an experience I would repeat in a heartbeat. Thank you so much

Jodi S

I spent nearly a week on Vancouver Island with my family and our adventure with Curtis of Coastal Wilderness Adventures was by far the highlight of our already incredible trip! Curtis is such an easy going, knowledgeable and entertaining guy to spend a day with on the water - time just flew by! We caught many beautiful Chinook Salmon and quite a few Ling Cod in just a half-day excursion - I definitely would have loved to spend more time fishing and will plan for that on my next trip! Gorgeous, well maintained boat, lots of room on the spacious fighting deck with all the comforts of a partial covered area with seating and washroom available. I'm definitely planning on going out again with Curtis on my next trip to the Island - his professionalism, great sense of humour and invigorating passion for fishing is sure to leave all guests with huge smiles and memories to last a lifetime!

Kristjan Joubert

This is the second year in a row that I have fished with Curtis. His fishing at sea experience is like no other fishing I've ever done - action packed with laughs, fishing knowledge, and of course lot's of Salmon. On trip number two, he took us river fishing north of Campbell River in some of Vancouver Islands most scenic rivers. Not only were we blown away by the beauty of the space, our fishing experience was incredible. With one day as a hike-in day, followed by two days floating down two different rivers in a multi-person raft - simply amazing! We caught beautiful Coho, Chinook, and the biggest rainbow trout I'd ever seen. The bar has been set very high and I look forward to returning to Campbell River to fish with Curtis next year. Thank you Curtis!

Graeme Carleton

Fantastic day out fishing with Curtis. First class guy, top of the list for his local knowledge, equipment, safety, and facilities!! We had a good laugh with Curtis all day - felt like we'd known him for years. Get him booked, pack some beers, request the bbq, and make sure you bring plenty of meat to throw on that thing. Wouldn't think of looking elsewhere for any other day out on the water!

Michael Stricker

Curtis is very personable and knows where to find the fish. His boat and gear is all top of the line. I had a great time and my family did too. Thanks for a great trip.

Casey Van Ierland

Just got off the water and I have nothing but great things to say about Curtis and my first (im sure not last) trip with Coastal Wilderness Adventures. This was a floating river trip with my wife and I and we are hooked! Curtis was like a fish whisperer knowing exactly where the fish were to make our day a huge success. Thanks again Coastal Wilderness Adventures see you again hopefully sooner than later!

Mark Hedge

Check out this fanrastic guided fishing company owned and operated by the best I have experienced. Thank you Curtis Smith and Coastal Wilderness Adventures!

Mike Weinczok

If you are looking for an amazing Vancouver Island fishing experience you can do no better than booking with Curtis. My son and I had a wonderful time, Curtis is professional, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. It will be the experience of a lifetime.

esehn6972

An amazing day of fishing with Curtis (great organizing) and Chris (our guide). Lots of beautiful salmon, with steady action throughout the day. I was even super fortunate to get a perfect halibut! Chris was professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and a lot of fun. Thank you for helping us create these wonderful memories!

Tanzice Giesbrecht

Thank you Curtis and staff @ Coastal Wilderness for another amazing fishing trip! Our family made the best memories and can’t wait to come back!

Tom Paton

Easily one of the best days fishing I have ever had. Curtis' professionalism and experience showed from the minute we started. Throughout the day we landed plenty of trout, including a beautiful cutthroat. Fly fishing isn't my strong point but Curtis provided plenty of helpful tips throughout the day which saw me improve in technique and confidence, helping land more fish throughout the day. PLUS - we sighted some Elk and a Black Bear!! Exciting stuff. I will 100% be paying a visit when I am next in town from Australia. Anyone considering who to fish with in Campbell River - I URGE YOU to fish with Coastal Wilderness Adventures!

Keith

Fantastic day freshwater fishing. Curtis is a total professional in this sport and I can highly recommend his services. He is focussed on making your experience his priority and he goes the extra mile to achieve this. So glad he could book me in for the day during our visit to Vancouver Island from the UK.

Pete Richardson

I had an opportunity to fish with Curtis’s group, Coastal Wilderness Adventures, and one of his guides. I have fished with a lot of guides over the years. I walked away from our trip knowing that Curtis and his people are top notch professionals. It wasn’t just that we caught fish…and we did do very well, it was the overall experience. The boats were in great shape, comfortable and well outfitted. The guide my wife and I went with had a lot of local knowledge and had a great and easy-going personality. He also knew when to move and when not to move which is important to stay on top of the fish. Curtis and his team made everything easy from before we arrived through post trip and checking on how things went. He also helped us with the logistics of how to get our catch home. We were also lucky enough to get an opportunity to see a couple of humpbacks and our guide had no reservations burning some extra fuel so we could get a closer look. I would honestly fish with these folks again any time

Claude Joubert

My grown up son and I spent 2 fantastic days salmon fishing with Coastal Wilderness Adventures. Yes, we caught lots of Chinook salmons. Big ones. More than our wildest expectations. Curtis Smith is a great host-operator. He is a first class guy. He knows were the fish is. His boat is extremely comfortable, powerful and well equipped. And safe.

Art Tustin

A great day on the water with Coastal! Curtis was a great guide to have as a fishing partner. He's on time, well organized, communicates the plan, very relaxed boat and is a great teacher of new fishing techniques. Will definitely book a return trip with him

Tracy Stark

This was by far the best salmon fishing experience we’ve had. Although we fell into the “catch and release” dates; it made the experience that much better. We caught a minimum of 30+ Salmon each day we were there. Curtis was a riot, he had us on our game and took pictures And videos the whole time. We didn’t go home empty handed; we took home a 40lb halibut and 4 Ling cods in the 2 days we spent with him. On top of that; we watched the whales breach, we laughed and made memories = PRICELESS I highly recommend booking ????????????

Whitney Smith

Coastal Wilderness Adventures took us out on the most epic ocean fishing day we could have imagined! We were out to catch salmon and we sure did!! Pretty much every species running made it’s way up into the boat! As a super bonus to the fishing we saw humpback whales, orcas and a massive school of dolphins racing through the water. The weather was perfect, days out on the water don’t get any better than this. Our guide Curtis was super knowledgeable and may I say overly prepared!! ???? Thank you Coastal Wilderness Adventures, we’ll be back!!!

Buffy Harper

We spent a perfect day fishing with Ben, whose expertise was invaluable especially since two of us had never fished like this before. The mist on the mountains and the cool morning air made the trip out to the fishing area feel magical. Within minutes of lowering our lines, we reeled in two good size coho - what a start to our day! As we settled in and there was time between bites, Ben was able to share his many years of experience as a fishing guide in Campbell River. Coming from the east coast, we learned so much in our day together. There were lots of bites, some nice sized ones we brought home, some ‘big ones’ that got away ????, and some little ones we released. We enjoyed the day from beginning to end. Thanks, Ben snd Curtis, for being such a great team!

Mike Choi

Curtis + Gene were excellent guides for the trip. Both our groups had an amazing experience and managed to catch a ton of fish! Will be coming back again next year.

sylvain paquin

it was a fantastic fishing experience.to be repeated for sure. the experience of curtis made our day wonderfull

Adam Cronkhite

In any activity where you're a novice, novelty can push you to new heights or it can be frustratingly overwhelming: Curtis firmly put my experience in the former category. His enthusiasm was infectious, his knowledge was unparalleled, and he made fishing accessible and exciting. Without a doubt, I will be returning next year! On a COVID-19 related note, Curtis' care and attention to detail contributed to the confidence I felt in participating. Masks and hand sanitizer were available and communication was fantastic from when the shelter-in-place order was first issued to when restrictions were starting to be lifted.

Dave Barr

Couldn't of had a better day on the water. Sun, snacks and tons of fish. Downrigging and jigging both had amazing results. Curtis knows where its at and takes his time for the kids. Many thanks!

Eben Norman

My father and I booked a day drifting a river in the Campbell River area with Curtis during a recent trip to Vancouver Island and had a great time. Curtis is an experienced angler and oarsmen, but most importantly a fun guy to spend a day on the river with. We had good laughs, fished some beautiful sections of river, and had some honest shots at winter steelhead on the fly. Not much else you can ask of from a guide. His gear was all well maintained and safe. He had enough tackle to suite just about any style. Both my dad and I are on the more experienced side of things and still found Curtis had solid tips to give but never tried to give unsolicited advice. More of the patient type which is an invaluable quality to have in a guide from my personal experience. I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to fish fresh or salt water with Curtis and will fish with him again in the future.

Scott Betts

Great day on the water with Curtis. Great fishing, conversation, and a real comfortable boat! Will definitely be back.... Thanks Curtis!

Bev Tempest

We had an awesome Thanksgiving Day fishing. Curtis from Coastal Wilderness was absolutely outstanding. Our plan to fish Chum salmon changed as Curtis felt that the chum run would not yield much action, so we went after feeder Chinook. Curtis had us on fish all day! Seeing killer whales on our outbound trip made it all that more of a memorable day. Highly recommend fishing with Coastal Wilderness Adventures.

Tom Rawles

Second trip river fishing for salmon with Curtis and Coastal Wilderness. Second time to have a fantastic trip full of beautiful scenery and great fishing. Curtis has the experience to know the territory, where the fish are and how to have the highest chance of netting the most fish. And he’s a blast to fish with. What more do you need? Can’t wait to get back for trip #3.

Robert Prendergast

Another great year of fishing with Curtis - made even better as our daughter Leah came with us. Curtis is such a great host and coach he has hooked her on fishing and she wants to go for two days in 2021. Pretty impressive as she does not normally like the outdoors! This year we caught 4 beautiful chinook, and released a bunch of coho and sockeye. Huge excitement when Curtis had to scare off a seal that took a chunk out of one of Alison's chinook. And even more exciting when a sea lion took all but the head of a coho as we were reeling it in. I attached a picture of the head that was left. Great fun, as always, with the best guide in Campbell River. This guy works hard to make sure you have fun.

Josh C

Curtis is experienced and knowledgeable and is a ton of fun to fish with. His enthusiasm is contagious. He knows his craft inside and out. He goes the extra mile to determine the best species to target at the best location. I highly recommend Curtis for all your fish guiding needs in the Campbell River area.

Jesse Hubbard

Curtis was great. We were actually catching tons of fish while the other boats got skunked - usually a sure sign that you've picked the right guide!

Luc Martin

I fished in several location throughout BC and with many different guides. Curtis is truly the best! He knows the waters, he knows where the fish are and he knows his trades in & out. But the best part is his personality and the energy that he brings along. I had a blast and my dad and 2 boys when home super stoked. Thanks Curtis for the amazing trip again!

melissa stone

My family had a great time today. Highly recommend.

William King

Stop looking. If your in Campbell River and looking for a charter, this is the one. We had a fantastic time, and cant wait to return next year.

Deb McKinley

Once again Curtis gave us THE most phenomenal experience and that was even post Covid-19. My husband & I felt perfectly safe on the boat and using his equipment. We had incredible success in 2 days bringing 54 Chinook salmon to the boat (and quickly & safely released them to the water), and losing the same amount. The Salish Sea is teeming with fish now, yet the DFO to whom we pay our Licence fees, (some of which goes into Salmon Hatcheries), refuses to let us keep even one of our Hatchery salmon (I'm not talking about wild salmon, I'm talking Hatchery Salmon), which seems absolutely absurd! Thank heavens we were allowed to keep a huge Lingcod which may look like some prehistoric monster, but is certainly delicious once cooked.

Tyler Snook

I wish I could leave this more than 5 stars. Curtis was kind, knowledgeable, friendly, and a really fun guy to hang out with. The fishing was spectacular, we had front row seats to watch humpback whales breaching, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. We also felt quite safe in terms of potential COVID concerns as the boats are completely disinfected daily, and hand sanitizer was readily available. I'll recommend coastal wilderness adventures to anyone who will listen!

Sarah Fox

Great experience with Curtis! Very experienced and knowledgeable. Fishing with him felt like we were fishing with not just a guide, but a friend! He even showed us one of his secret spots where the fish were plentiful ????

Tyler Schofield

We went on a father and son fly fishing trip for trout in a remote river on Vancouver Island. From start to finish we had an amazing adventure floating down a spectacular river in a raft. Our guide, Curtis, was very knowledgeable and professional throughout the trip. We went on this trip right during the COVID-19 after restrictions were loosened. My father is in his 70’s so it was a relief that Curtis had all the protocols and safety measures taken into account. Masks and hand sanitizer were made available to us. Once on the river we quickly lost track of how many fish we were catching. I was using a dry fly and my father a nymph pattern. We even had several double headers. The fish were so plentiful that at one point I hooked into a fish with a rod in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other - this actually happened twice and I landed both fish! If you are looking for top notch service and a great day out on the water I would highly recommend this outfit. Thanks again Curtis, it was great! We will be back.

Niel Purton

Great family day out Salmon fishing and even some whale watching - thanks for a great day Curtis !

Lisa Slavik

I've been on multiple fishing trips with Curtis and he never disappoints! I would recommend Coastal Wilderness Adventures to anyone, no matter what your fishing experience is. Curtis is awesome and knows all the fishing hot spots. I've never been on a trip without bring home fish.

Rebecca Gagnon

Yesterday Curtis took my family and I out on our first fishing trip since moving back to Campbell River. Curtis was patient with us newbies and we caught a ton of fish. although we couldn't keep the fish the kids loved the whole experience of catch and release and watching them swim away unharmed, Curtis took the time to educate us on how to hold the fish and release them gently. My Husband and I appreciated when Curtis offered us a mask upon arrival, even though we declined the offer we felt comfortable with the hand sanitizing station and the Covid protocols that Curtis had in place.We are very lucky to live in a place like Campbell River where we can have experiences like this and most of all support a local business. Paul and Rebecca Taylor

Michelle de Jager

Great family experience! It was the first time our boys had tried fishing, and we will be back! Curtis is a very knowledgeable guide and expertly helped the boys reel in lots of fish today. The catch and release format worked well as we could take a quick photo and then send the fish back on their way again. We have lots of photos and memories of a great day on the water!

Todd Byrnes

This is my third year in a row of fishing with Coastal Wilderness Adventures. The boat is first class, the gear is top notch and Curtis is the best guide around. Look no farther for your fishing guide and book with Coastal Wilderness Adventures today. Fill your freezer with fish and have a great adventure while you do it. Thanks Curtis!

Justin Bailey

Great weekend of fishing the river with Curtis. He got us set up with all the appropriate gear, and then took us to the hot spots. Stoked on the experience. Will be back!

Bonnie Logan

There's no bad days on the water with Curtis and Coastal Wilderness Adventures. Awesome local guide with over 20 years in the business that will put you on the fish. Whether your wanting to fish freshwater, saltwater, or fly fish Curtis is the one to do it with! Can't wait to go out again in September!

Nitara Heywood

Curtis and Gene took a group of us out for one of the best days ever. They went above and beyond to make sure we had the best fishing experience - they even took us to see humpbacks in the area. Will definitely be booking with them again

Tim Eckford

Went one River trout, Curtis awesome guide. River trout opportunity for experienced fisherman and beginners as well.

Daniel Gittins

Just back from an unreal river fishing trip with Curtis. That was an epic day!! Reeling in a 20-pound chinook and cruising on the raft with a beer while the sun was shining were just a couple of highlights. Curtis is an expert guide and great lad to be around. I'm doing it again!

Mike Chrisman

Our Fall trip to Campbell River and Vancouver Island was great. The magnificent country, outstanding guides, and superb fishing all joined to make our experience one we’ll always cherish.

Robert H

My family and I have booked fishing trips over a number of years with Curtis Smith of Coastal Wilderness Adventures. Curtis is very knowledgeable and delivers a great fishing experience year after year. I highly recommend!

Mark Howard

I can't say enought about Curtis and his team. I've booked with him twice now, both for company functions. The professionalism, the communication are top notch. He made sure that my team had the best trip possible. I highly recommend you book with Coastal Wilderness Adventures you won't regret it.

Eben Natalie

An era has ended! This was the guide who cured me of the title "World's Worst Fisherman". I was a legend, a cautionary tale that always made others feel better about their own 'off days' with the rod and reel. It was said that I could empty a 2 mile radius of ocean-life from the waters by my mere presence. Many tried and failed to help me break this spell, this curse, but Capt. Curtis must have some magical powers, because he was the one that completely surpassed all my expectations. I went from 0 salmon caught in many years, to five within 2 hours. It wasn't even early morning, but afternoon. I also appreciated his friendliness and infectious enthusiasm, he clearly loves what he does for a living. Moreover, his fun-loving personality only adds to his obvious expertise to help create one helluva an exciting adventure! You just can't go wrong with this guy, because if he could help me catch that well, he could help anyone!

Shawn Kane

Incredible day fishing with Curtis. Our son says it was the best experience of his life (caught 2 salmon, 3 lingcod, 1 rock cod and a small shark)!! Book your fishing trip with Coastal Wilderness - you won't be disappointed. Curtis is fun, patient, helpful, and great with kids. Awesome experience!!

Alex Murovec

Amazing first time experience! Will Definitely be back

Peter van Boekhout

Awesome couple of days with Curtis! Friendly, knowledgeable and experienced angler made for an epic few days of fishing. Hoping to do it again soon!

Jeff Young

I had the opportunity to fish with Curtis and Coastal Wilderness for 3 days last week. We originally had two days scheduled however when we heard there was an opening for a third day we jumped at the opportunity. We Started off with a river drift and it turned out to be absolutely incredible. Covid safety measures firmly in place we drifted the beautiful Van Isle river and caught and released so many beautiful rainbow and cutthroat I lost count early in the day. Day two and three we spent on the ocean in various spots around Campbell River and Quadra island. The two best salmon fishing days of my life! Not only the funnest salmon fishing I have ever had, Curtis released dozens and dozens of the Chinook salmon with incredible skill and care while also providing some amazing photos! The combination of the fantastic fishing, and let’s not forget the DJ quality playlists! Thus producing too many double headers to count! I have fished all over the world and we come back to Coastal Wilderness every year. Hands down the best guide and all round great guy I have had the pleasure to fish with. Solid conservation practices, diligent safety measures and beautiful watercraft make Coastal Wilderness Adventures our favourite fishing experience of the year! Thanks Curt you’re a gem in the industry!

Justin P

Just an awesome fishing trip. Add it to you or your parents' bucket list.

Linda Irvine

Great day fishing with Curtis! We especially appreciated his enthusiasm and knowledge of the resource. Highly recommended!

Ryan Lang

We venture every year down from Grande Prairie, AB to have Curtis take us out for some fun on the water. If you're looking for a fishing guide and are unsure, I highly recommend Curtis. He's not awkward like a first date; he's easy to talk to and makes for good conversation all day. He knows his stuff and you can guarantee you'll catch some fish and have a great time!

Katherine L

Kelvin was an exceptional guide. Fun, educational and we caught some BIG FISH!!! I would easily rank my experience as 5 stars. Thanks for making the day special for us...we will be back!

gloria hofer

We made the trip from Edmonton, Alberta just to experience salmon fishing, and Coastal Wilderness Adventures did not disappoint! With laughs, steady fishing all day, and a few keepers, the trip was everything we could have asked for. Highly recommend Curtis for an amazing fishing experience!

Chris Dennis

Curtis at Coastal Wilderness Adventures knows his industry inside and out. Always prepared, engaging, and extremely knowledgeable, he provides an experience that anyone coming to OR from Campbell River should not miss. Over the past 14 years I have done many trips with him and have always been amazed at how different and exciting each trip has been. You will see the best of what guided fishing is when you book with him!

Kevin Hunter

Had a great time out with Curtis, he definitely knew what he was doing and made sure we had a great chance at catching some nice salmon. Was prepared for all the curveballs a day on the water can throw, which is the most important in my eyes. Our group got our limit and caught one that was big enough we had to send back, only after a quick picture. Coastal Wilderness will be my go to for north Island adventures from now on.

Chris z

An Absolutely stunning day on the water. Extremely knowledgeable Captain and was able answered ALL our questions. Great reliable fishing gear Wicked photography (which we all got the e-copies of) Perfect experience for the kids (12 & 15). Lots of room on the boat for the 4 of us.

Gail Slavik

The last day of a fishing weekend with Curtis is always bitter sweet. Everyone slowly empties the boat of fish, beverages and armfuls and armfuls of rainproof gear. Sammy the Seal bobs his head, poised and ready for the first handful of "guts" to be launched off the dock. Someone guides the wagon full of fish up the ramp and across the street to be cut into delicious steaks, fillets, locks and candied pieces of goodness (to name a few options). Vehicles are then packed and warm goodbyes exchanged. Everyone will go back to work on Monday smiling and share pictures of the "whale" that they reeled in or a joke shared. Our annual family fishing trip with Curtis is the highlight of every summer. In the fast paced world in which most of us live it is a chance to sit back... until Curtis yells "fish on" and launches at a jerking rod.... and enjoy the company of friends and family. Maybe even catch a few sun soaked zzzz's or take a "sip" of your favorite refreshing beverage from a sea kelp bong. There is something for everyone!

Joyce Ip Leus

Highly recommended. Curtis and Gene are very attentive and patient from the moment I reserve to the actual fishing trip. They are fully committed to provide a lifetime experience for their clients out of their passion for nature and for sharing those passion with us. We could not ask for a better experience of our salmon fishing trip!

Mitchell Record

Amazing trip, amazing scenery, amazing fish and an AMAZING guide, very comfortable and personable, it was a total blast will definitely book again with Curtis Smith he was a riot!!!!

Trevor Despins

Terrific sunny Family day on the water with Curtis. Lots of salmon, Orcas and even a Lingcod for supper!

AM M

This August mother and daughter summer vacation included two excellent days fly fishing with the Coastal Wilderness Adventures crew. Not that we have anything against the ocean but we were seeking a very specific fly fishing experience in rivers and lakes AND we wanted to learn everything involved with fly fishing in these environments. The Coast Wilderness Adventures crew delivered in a BIG way. Not only did we get to travel to the backcountry to a pristine river and gorgeous lake but we learned a lot while we catching beautiful Pink salmon and Cutthroat trout. The crew really step up and we are so grateful. Our mother and daughter fly fishing adventure has made us both fly fishers for life.

Alfred Roy

Booking with Curtis was a pleasurable experience from first contact to the end of our trip. Our guide Steve was very knowledgeable and had us reeling in fish within minutes. The boat was clean and comfortable. Would definitely consider booking again with Curtis and his team and try for one of Steve's elusive "salt water west coast pale ales"!

Brian Isaac

Outstanding day of fishing with my guide Steve. Super guy, knowledgeable, helpful and tons of experience so I knew I was in good hands. Lots of fish on, including several double headers. Only complaint is my knuckles hurt from getting whacked during the fish fights. Pretty happy about that. Great experience. I’ll be back!!

Dominic Büchner

Was a great day on the water and Curtis was a great guide! It was a pleasure to be on the boat with him! If I’ll come back to Canada somewhen in the future, I’ll come back to you for some guided days! Dominic

Richard

This was organized as a surprise for my 50th Birthday and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate. We caught an insane amount of salmon (catch and release sadly) but got to keep a halibut and a ling cod. You won’t be disappointed organizing a trip for yourself or friends and family. Curtis made the whole trip. He is very friendly and personable and has a brilliant boat to boot! Just do it!! A true bucket list experience.

Michael Job

Curtis is great guide. Organized, knowledgeable and lots of fun to be out on the water with. My friends and I had a great time fishing with him and I have already booked my trip with him for next year. If you're interested in fishing in Campbell River, Curtis is the best in town. Make sure to book early, because he fills up fast!

Kelsey Marquis

Had an absolute amazing trip with Costal Wilderness Adventures. Fishing was a blast, amazing views, & we couldn't have asked for a better person to guide our trip. Curtis made this experience even better than imagined. Definitely booking with him again!

Rhea Skogen

This is our MUST DO trip that kicks off our summer, every year! Honestly, it's what gets us and our son through the craziness that is June - knowing that pretty soon, we will have some EPIC days on a boat with some fishing rods and more wicked laughs than you can imagine. We've been fishing with Curtis for several years now and we keep going back because we love his humour, his ethics, his knowledge and his love for what he does. We've brought my father-in-law along (age 84), we've been fishing with Curtis since our son was 6-7 - he's fantastic at catering a trip to any age. My husband and I are not avid fishermen, however it's definitely not a trip we will miss out on. We initially booked Curtis as a treat to our young son who loved fishing and are now hooked for life! You don't need to love fishing, you need to love ocean breezes, the ability to get out of cellular range and the tranquility of a gorgeous summer day in the water. Curtis is the ultimate host, honestly you will not have a dull moment in your day! You'll find yourself an amazing new friend and a trip to beautiful Campbell River that you'll forever treasure!!!

Chris Ferguson

If your looking for the best fishing guide in Campbell River, look no further than Curtis at coastal wilderness adventures. My family of four had the most fun filled days of fishing here. We booked two days of salmon fishing with Curtis and it was the best two days of the whole trip. Lots of pink salmon and he knew the hot spots for the chinook. Curtis is very personable which made it easy for everyone in the family to have fun with him. Curtis had some good jokes which kept everyone entertained on top of the hot fishing. Thanks Curtis! The Ferguson family

Kevin

Curtis and Geno were two of the best guides I’ve ever experienced. We will definitely be returning! Curtis makes the day so great whether or not you are catching fish. BTW we caught a lot of fish!