I was born in Tillamook Oregon, salmon and steelhead capital of the Oregon coast and started fishing with my dad and granddad at age 5. My family owned wonderful river-front property on the Kilchis River and I would often wear my fishing waders to school so I could get right to fishing when school let out. While fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout at age 7, I hooked (and lost) my first Chinook salmon and have been chasing that salmon ever since. As a young man in my 20s, I became very efficient at subtracting salmon and steelhead from coastal and inland rivers and at some point it became more fun and rewarding for me to introduce others to the sport. In the early 70s I got a job commercial fishing in the Pacific City Dory fleet and in the early 80s started guiding sport anglers on Oregon and Washington coastal and inland waters and in Alaska on the Kenai River, Seldovia, Resurrection Bay and Cook Inlet.
After fishing and guiding in Alaska for over 20 years, I found Kodiak Island 4 years ago and quickly realized that this is what Alaska fishing is all about. A healthy resource offering some amazing salmon and halibut fishing, beautiful scenery and all in un-crowded conditions.
Chris' Grandfather - Late 1800s - Tillamook bay
Captain Mark A. Taylor
Mark has been an avid angler all of his life, and has caught fish all over the world ranging from 2 inches to 350 lbs. His love of the sea has taken him all over the world. He has handled boats from Cape Flattery to the Sea of Cortez, from the Hawaiian Islands to the Florida Keys. In pursuing his goal of catching every species that swims he has landed over 250 species including all 5 Pacific Salmons, halibut, lingcod, 12 species of rockfish, and all of North America’s trout species except Arctic char. He has been a commercial diver and fisherman in Hawaii. His training includes Ship’s Master, Rescue Level PADI diver, 2 years as a registered guide and charter boat operator, and over 35 years of angling in all sorts of conditions.
In addition he is IGFA certified, a member of the Trout Unlimited Guide program, and a life member of the NAFC. He is sure to be a great asset to the Wilderness Beach team and make your visit to Kodiak a memorable one.
