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Your Guide: Joe Terleski Married to Kathy for 40 years. |
I grew up on a small tributary to the Clackamas River near Estacada Oregon. At age 6 I started fishing and have never stopped. I’m now in my early 60’s and have spent most all my spare time fishing, just ask my wife! If not out fishing I read about it all the time and learn of new places and methods, then go try them.
At age 14 my buddy and I were fishing together one day and while waiting for our ride home and rolling rocks off a cliff someone walked off with our spinning rods. Since we fished with fly rods too and had no money it was fly fishing only from then on. The next 10 years I only fly fished for everything – Trout, Steelhead, Salmon and Shad.
In my mid 20’s I built a wood drift boat and that opened a whole new world. I started with fishing plugs and next thing I knew I was fishing eggs for Salmon! Now I fish all methods, from fly fishing for Trout and Steelhead to trolling herring or anchor fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Sturgeon.
What I’ve discovered over the years is that IT IS ALL FUN!
Early in life I wanted to be a fishery biologist to be around the fish and rivers more. After talking to a few guys in that field and then hearing of the schedule of a firefighter I realized the career of a firefighter would give me far more time to fish! Also I had always wanted to do something in a job that would make a difference in peoples lives. The fire service definitely provided that opportunity. It also provided a unique opportunity that has honed my boating skills over the years. As a member of the water rescue team I was trained as a rescue boat operator on a 21′ jet sled. Over the years I have both received and instructed hundreds of hours of on the water boat training.
Now after 30+ years in the fire service I’ve recently retired and am doing something I’ve always dreamed of and that’s to provide an opportunity for more folks to get out and enjoy our great fishing here in Oregon. Many friends over the years have said the same thing to me, “Joe, you should be a guide”. I have always enjoyed taking folks fishing and teaching what I’ve learned over the years. I never tire of learning new things and passing them along and certainly never tire of catching fish no matter the method.
If you’re reading this then you too would rather be fishing and
I hope you will give me the opportunity to take you out on the water.