A fishing boat on flat calm water in the fog

Our Guides

We have over 200 years of guiding experience as a group. Our “team fishing” philosophy and extensive experience in the area provide you with your best chance for success.

Fishing Guides

At Coastal Springs we have a team of guides beyond compare.  We only employ long-time experienced guides from our own stable who have all met standards much higher than required at other lodges in areas of skill, education, life experience, and personality.  All skilled fishers and captains, the similarities end there. You will find that our diversity in age, approach, and technique will give you a highly productive and varied  experience on each outing.  The differences in fishing style that each guide has, ensures that all bases are covered by us as a group at any given time.  As a result, we have the most complete knowledge of fish movement and feeding behaviour at any given time.

Close-up portrait of a Coastal Springs fishing guide

Cam “Silent Bob” Reid

Cam is the owner of Coastal Springs Float Lodge and has been on the lodge in one capacity or another since he was born.   Cam is the youngest son of the original lodge owner (John Reid) and has thus been raised in the business. He had his own boat at age 5 and has been guiding full time since he was 16. His mentors in the business have been the solid line of guides past and present which has made him the fisherman he is today. Cam used to live at the lodge year round as a young child, giving him a strong understanding of the area from a young age. Cam has quite the collection of gear and is always looking to try something new.

Portrait of a longtime Coastal Springs guide with mist over the inlet behind him

Steve “Grouper” Kelly

Steve is the previous owner of the lodge, and still loves to spend his summers guiding. Born and raised on the outskirts of Vancouver, he started fishing at a very early age thanks to his Dad’s love of the outdoors. He started guiding at the lodge in 1980 as a summer job while working on a biology degree at university. It took him about 24 hours to realize that lodge life was the life for him. He became a partner in the business in the mid-eighties and took sole ownership of the lodge in 2003.

His fishing philosophy is simple. One third skill, one third patience, and one third luck. Knowing that he controls a solid majority of the factors leading to a successful outing has served him well over the years.

Angler kneeling in a river holding a rainbow trout before release

Terry “Kojak” Steele

Terry has been guiding at the lodge since 1998, after working at a different lodge in our area. As a full time teacher and father of two young daughters, he has mastered the patience part for fishing success. However, his real strength is his attention to detail. Terry spends between 3 and 5 weeks with us each season, and is arguably the most consistent fisherman on our coast.

Sepia archive portrait of a smiling man in a plaid jacket from the lodge's history

Ed “Jaws” Sharkey

If you were to look up “fishing guide” you would find Ed. Born and raised in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, Ed started guiding in the Knight Inlet area back in the mid-seventies. His 50+ years of guiding have led to an extensive knowledge of not only fishing tactics, but a wealth of knowledge and theories about the local environment. He has an incredibly keen awareness of the surrounding animals, plants, weather systems etc. which serves to enhance any trip out in his boat.

Sepia archive photograph of a guide fishing in the lodge's early years

Bruce ‘Pathfinder’ Barnett

Bruce has been guiding in the area with us off and on since 2002, and has made a great addition to our crew. As a full time teacher in Vancouver and all around great guy who is full of tales from a life different than most, Bruce brings a more experimental, try anything approach to fishing at times. This has dug us out of the odd rut when the rest of us have been stuck in our ways.

Guide holding a large Chinook salmon beside the carved salmon sign on the lodge wall

Bruce “Ironman” Cook

Bruce is the newest addition to our crew, having been with us since 2014. The retired mail carrier spends his time fishing the waters near Victoria, BC just about every day while he is not guiding for us. He is a serious fisherman who has absorbed huge amounts of information from pros up and down the coast, gaining a very keen eye and attention to detail when it comes to his gear and his technique.

Guest holding a Chinook salmon aboard the boat

Allan “Atsumi” Hyggen

Allan has been guiding at the float lodge since his teen years, dating back to the late 1970’s.  His fishing style is bombastic and animated, while somehow still highly controlled.  A keen eye for detail when it comes to fish behaviours and guest experience may stem from his long career in social work in the city of Victoria.  His long history with the lodge makes for excellent stories of the old days as well as an incredible collection of historic west coast fishing gear.

A guide lifting a salmon aboard in the net

Graham “Skinny G” Condly

If it involves salt water, Graham has done it.  As a fishing guide, commercial fisherman, commercial diver, and wilderness guide, Graham lives and breathes fishing and the west coast.  A family man from the Comox Valley who can’t stay off the water for more than a few days at a time year round adds a great enthusiasm and positive energy to the crew.  His experience up and down the coast both above the waterline and below brings great knowledge to our group.

Guest holding a coho salmon aboard the boat

Leon “Birdman” Wood

Leon grew up on Bowen Island, a small community accessible by ferry from Vancouver. One of his first fishing memories was heading out with his Dad at 5am for the annual fishing derby. He puked, caught a coho, and returned victorious. He was hooked.

Leon started working at fishing lodges in 1998 and has guided in Haida Gwaii, BC’s central coast and now happily at Coastal Springs. He lives in Victoria where he accesses Sooke’s year round salmon fishery. Through Leon’s years of research he remains adamant that a purple haze UV hootchie is a great bet to catch a fish anywhere on the coast.

Guest standing in the boat with a Chinook salmon

James “The Prawn” Mace

Born and raised in Victoria BC on Vancouver Island I have been an avid fisherman for 40 years. I began guiding for (Sailcone/Coastal Springs) in the early 90s and continued to do so while completing a bachelors degree in Biology at the University of Victoria.  After several seasons of full time guiding, I completed an apprenticeship in Carpentry. I continued to visit Coastal Springs over the years with friends and family, and also as a part time guide. My wife Katrina and I have two sons, Riley and Daniel, who are in their early twenties. I still live in Victoria, where I am fortunate to have easy access to multiple fresh and salt water fisheries year-round.

Guest with a salmon aboard the boat

Roy “Eagle Eye” Carver

Roy started his guiding career in 1990 with “Sailcone” with John Reid and Steve Kelly. Along that journey he started my own successful charter business based out of Victoria and Sooke over the past 35 years.  His early career molded him into an excellent fisherman, taught by the guides around him.  Steve Kelly was a great mentor over Roy’s time with us and now Roy  has worked for over 20 years for Sailcone/Coastal Springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our crew includes Cam Reid, Steve Kelly, Terry Steele, Ed Sharkey, Bruce Barnett, Bruce Cook, Allan Hyggen, Graham Condly, Leon Wood and Roy Carver. We only employ long time experienced guides from our own stable, who have all met standards much higher than required elsewhere.

Cam Reid, the youngest son of original owner John Reid. Cam has been on the lodge in one capacity or another since he was born. Steve Kelly, the previous owner, still spends his summers guiding here.

Rather than competing with each other, our guides share what is working across the whole crew through the day. Combined with long experience in these specific waters, it gives you the best chance of success.

No. All fishing gear and bait is provided and rigged by your guide, which leaves you more time to watch the rod. Every guide has slightly different taste in gear and technique.

Over 200 years between them as a group. Allan Hyggen has guided at the float lodge since his teen years in the late 1970s, Terry Steele since 1998, Bruce Barnett on and off since 2002, and Bruce Cook since 2014. Roy Carver has worked for Sailcone and Coastal Springs for over 20 years.

“Our stay at the fishing and floating lodge was truly remarkable. The natural surroundings were nothing short of picturesque, and we were fortunate to have clear nights that provided us with an unparalleled stargazing experience. The fishing experience at Coastal Springs was simply breathtaking. It surpassed all our expectations. The guides, with their profound expertise and unwavering commitment, went above and beyond to ensure that each fishing outing was a success. The culinary voyage at the lodge was equally exceptional. After a full day of salmon fishing, observing bald eagles, and watching whales on the water, there was nothing more satisfying than indulging in the exquisite meals expertly crafted by the talented staff. The culinary offerings consistently exceeded our expectations We look forward to our next visit. Thank you Cam and team!”

Michael Toll

“Everyday was made special not because of the fishing necessarily, but because of the incredibly kind, generous and knowledgeable guides & lodge staff. The fishing was undoubtedly fantastic as expected, but the human connection made possible only by the intimate size of the lodge, made my trip especially remarkable. Combine all this with comfortable accommodations, homey communal meals, and an exceptionally beautiful remote location, and you get the best fishing experience I’ve ever had. I cannot recommend Coastal Springs Fishing Lodge enough.” 🙏🎣

Jasmine Thoo

“My first real fishing adventure, and it was awesome. Cam and his team took great care of us…..fishing was fantastic, food was delicious, guides (Ed, Bruce and Roy) were all amazing, and the location was spectacular and teeming with nature. Thanks again for a wonderful experience!”

Bruce Marshall

“I’ve been up to Coastal Springs now 10 or 11 times, and every trip has been great! These pics are from my last trip in August, 2023. I take a group up about every other year, and everybody always wants to go back. The staff are expert fishermen, and just plain awesome people! The food and accommodations are superb in every way, and the fishing is the best! When you mix the awesome fishing, the staff, the beautiful scenery, it is truly a great trip in every way! On this last trip, one of our guys who has never been to Coastal Springs before had previously done a few Alaska fishing trips, and he said this was the best fishing experience he has ever had and is asking when we’re going back. It is the perfect getaway and so much fun! I can’t wait to go back!”

Doug Huntsman

“Hands down the BEST experience I’ve ever had. There are few times in my life I have come to the end of a holiday, taken a deep breath and felt totally refreshed…mind, body and soul! The fishing is fantastic. We have been BLESSED with some amazing catches, the guides are second to none and they work above and beyond to get you that Tyee, and the food…stellar! A once in a lifetime trip has turned into going on 6 years coming back as a family! Thanks Cam & Crew, see you on the dock this summer…and next….and next….”

Chelsey Tyshynski

“Scenery was spectacular! Facilities were clean and well kept up. Guides were awesome. They knew where to find fish and knew how to catch them. The weather was varied, but the gear kept us protected. Food was delicious. We had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend!”

Barbara Fangman