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.

Brad Brown

Brad has guided over 30 years in waters of BC and much in the Barkley Sound, In fact Brad may be one of the best in Barkley Sound which is very handy when weather is better inside than offshore. His specialty is Chinook salmon but he is equally good at halibut.

Growing up in Port Alberni and fishing the waters close by, Brad's passion for the ocean started young and keeps going. 

Brad has a calm demeanor and is easy to get along with.  He easily demonstrates his knowledge of fishing and helping you do the same.

When he isn't fishing he is looking for a moose, deer or elk. If you want to come with someone who has been there and done that in the outdoors, Brad is your guy.

 

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.
 

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.