Testimonials

Jeff Nelson

February 10, 2017 at 4:16 pm

Can't thank you enough for the two day float. Your enthusiasm, patience and guide skills are superb. We hope to spend more time with you in the future chasing chromers along the coastal rivers in CA and Oregon.

Reece Olander

January 3, 2017 at 2:55 pm

My friend and I went on a fly fishing steelhead trip with Mark this past winter and had a great time. He worked hard to put us on fish all day long, even rowing back upstream so we could fish some runs again. He showed us fantastic water and was happy to give advice on where and how to fish other rivers. I'll certainly be hiring Mark for my next steelhead trip.

Craig Vejvoda

January 3, 2017 at 2:54 pm

Over the last 15 years, I have had the very good fortune to fish with
some awesome steelhead guides. Mark is one of the best. I can't wait
to hook up with him again!

Tom Peirano

January 3, 2017 at 2:53 pm

As a guide myself, I tend to hold the guides I use to a rather high standard. And Mark is everything I expect a good guide to be. He's punctual, prepared, honest, knowledgeable and personable. He offers constructive criticism when needed and provides thorough instruction from casting to landing your fish. Mark runs a clean and orderly boat and is professional in every way possible. And if that weren't enough, Mark will put you on fish. I've been happy to recommend Mark to my clients who wish to fish the coast and will continue to do so. Mark's my "go to guy" on the coast and I look forward to fishing with him each year.

Lowell Sears

January 3, 2017 at 2:53 pm

Mark tirelessly works the water for his clients. Excellent equipment and service combine with in-depth fishery knowledge put him in the top 10% of guides. Highly recommended.

Craig Gittings

January 3, 2017 at 2:52 pm

Met Mark via the Tracy Fly Fishers, when he was their guest speaker. His program centered around the rivers of the Lost Coast, how/when and where to fish them. These were legendary waters in my mind. At the end of the program, he gave a short plug for his guide service. Mark had impressed me even before the meeting at dinner. Yes, he was marketing his business, but he took on all questions and he developed a rapport with me. Enough so that I insisted that a few friends run over to the Peninsula Fly Fishers the following evening, just to check him out. He definitely could talk the talk, enough for me to book a day on the water with him. Weather was iffy and his favorite haunts were blown out, but he made good on his trip with a rescheduled date. We put in with a group of conventional and spin fishermen ahead us and behind us on a smaller river. Not to fear, according to Mark, as he said they would race each other down the river. Sure enough, within an hour, all others fished through us on their way to the take out, and we never saw them again. Wasn't certain if that would put the fish down or not. Have to admit, felt like we had the river all to ourselves the rest of the day. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of coastal steelhead that Mark put me on. At the end of the day, when Marked dropped me off to meet up with my better half, I told her Mark and I were going again the next day even though it wasn't scheduled. With the recent rains, I am already looking forward to booking a few days with Mark, both with my better half and buddies in tow.

Douglas Fujii, D.O.

January 3, 2017 at 2:51 pm

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of fishing with guide Mark Papazian. I would recommend Mark without reservation to anyone who wants to hire a guide and fish for steelhead in either Northern California or Southern Oregon. We caught several fish but even if we did not catch fish I was impressed with Mark’s work ethic and his skills as a guide.

We met Mark before sunup and scouted a potential Southern Oregon river before committing to fish it. He launched his drift boat on a steep embankment just so we could fish a couple of good holes. He was constantly changing weights, lengths of our leaders, and color of beads. I have used guides saltwater fishing and in Northern California, and I do not believe I have had a guide work so hard to put his clients on fish. We had a great day and I look forward to fishing with Mark again.

Patricia Trafican

January 3, 2017 at 2:51 pm

My first time being guided by Mark Papazian of Western Waters Guide Service was also my first time in a drift boat. It was a great experience and a tremendous amount of fun. Plus the heater in his boat kept me warm and toasty all day. With Mark’s help and patience I was able to feel the excitement of catching my first two steelhead. Thanks Mark, can’t wait to do it again.

Jeff Trafican

January 3, 2017 at 2:50 pm

My days on the water with Mark Papazian of Western Waters Guide Service always seem to be some of my best days of fishing. He has not only been able to get me into areas with fish, but often large fish. In addition, I always seem to learn something new with Mark’s guidance. He is professional, enjoyable to be with, and knowledgeable about the rivers on which he guides. I look forward to my next day on the water with Mark.

Brian Loven

January 3, 2017 at 2:49 pm

I had a chance to be guided by Mark on a No. Cal steelhead river, and we had a great time! Although an experienced trout fly angler, I had never fished for steelhead before. Mark put me in a position to have multiple hook-ups and got me onto a very nice hen without having to put in the obligatory "10,000 casts". In addition, Mark's fun nature made spending a day with him a real bonus. He works hard, is positive in attitude, and knows his Nor Cal waters such that if one particular watershed is blown out, he can easily come up with other options. Mark imparted enough local knowledge that on the day after being guided, my fishing buddy and I hit the water on our own and both had hooks-ups with a nice buck brought in and released. Looking forward to getting out with Mark again soon!