Easy answer Rob Orzel on the Kalama River, no one touches him,and Eli Rico owner/operator of Hot Shot Guide Service takes the State and national award for all I am concerned. You can put the guy any where in any situation and there is nothing he can't do. No one can touch him on the Cowlitz, Drano, Sky, Peninsula, etc. Both Rob and Eli are the best at what they do and provide more than just a fishing trip, they are gems as people as well.

I have never fished with a guide on the Op but It sounds like I would definitely go with Bob when I do!! For southern Washington fishing, I'd say Ron and Clancy Holt. I haev been with Ron on two guided trips and he was great...got us on fish even when it was slow for everyone else...

Last summer, he remembered my fishing buddy and I and gave me a great tip as we passed him in my boat...I promptly got a fish not ten minutes later!!!

Which river system? Fly/Gear? Jet boat - drift - walkin? I agree - it would be better to narrow it down.

I will say that for versatility of technique, knowledge of the local rivers and steelhead, and sheer hard work TRBO has my vote. Plus he's just a damn fun guy to spend a day on the river with.

We did a float with Bob Monday before last. Brats were a bit scarce, but he had us walking in places we'd never been on previous trips. AND we found fish there.

I've been on trips with guides where they take you on the float and if you don't catch fish, well too bad - that's just steelheading. Not Bob - he's on a mission to get you into fish!

Just my .02 - there's a reason we go back every year.

Down here in Rogue country Todd Puett is as good as you can get. Pete : this is from personal experiance

From the past, Sam Windle in the 80's was always a good ride. Lole Fergerson on the Hoh in the early 80's put us some 15 fish days each.

a guy named antone on the upper salmon river..met at about 9am, already had 3/4 of a fifth of wild turkey down, sipping a milwaukee's best ice tall boy(him, not me), ate sh#t on the muddy trail to the hatchery holes, fell about 8 feet from a log into the river(it was COLD that day)...well i'm not sure if you can consider him a guide, just a guy who will take a few bucks(and i do mean a few) to let you fish on the reservation portion of the river...i just wanted to check it out, i ended up getting some of the funniest stuff i've seen on the river for a while

Been fishing the OP for years with the same guide and never been skunked.. Jim Mansfield. Have two trophy fish with him 29lb steel and 55 lbs King