WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SEASON! THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER AMAZING YEAR ON THE WATER!
One Fishing Season Ends, Another Begins — Winter Kokanee and Trophy Bull Trout Fishing at Lake Billy Chinook Is Just Around the Corner!
As another incredible fishing season in Central Oregon comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make this year such a memorable and successful one.
What a season it has been! From early mornings watching the sun rise over the mountains to rods bending, reels screaming, fish hitting the deck, and plenty of laughter along the way, this year has been filled with some unforgettable experiences.
To every client who climbed aboard and spent a day fishing with me at Paulina Lake, Wickiup Reservoir, Crane Prairie Reservoir, Odell Lake, and Crescent Lake — THANK YOU!
Whether you were an experienced angler chasing your next limit of kokanee or a first-timer catching your very first fish, I appreciate every one of you.
We caught hundreds and hundreds of fish, shared some great stories, enjoyed some beautiful Central Oregon scenery, and made memories that will last long after the fishing season ends.
For me, guiding isn’t just about putting fish in the boat. It’s about meeting great people, sharing what I’ve learned over the years, introducing new anglers to the sport, and seeing the excitement when someone hooks into a good fish.
Some of my favorite moments this season weren’t necessarily the biggest fish or the fullest coolers. They were watching kids catch their first kokanee, seeing families enjoying time together, and having clients leave the boat with big smiles and stories to tell.
Every trip booked, every referral, every recommendation, every five-star review, and every returning client means more to me than you know.
Running a successful guide service takes more than just knowing where the fish are. It takes great people, dependable equipment, quality tackle, and the support of some outstanding companies and individuals.
I’m fortunate to have some of the best in the business standing behind me.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS, AND FRIENDS!
Day One Outdoors — Cody Herman
A huge thank you to Cody Herman and Day One Outdoors for the opportunity to guide on some of Central Oregon’s most beautiful lakes. I appreciate the continued support, friendship, and opportunity to do what I love throughout the season.
Guiding on these incredible waters is something I never take for granted.
LURED Tackle — Randy Bales and Dave Bales
A very special thank you to Randy and Dave Bales for their outstanding tackle, continued support, and, most importantly, their friendship.
You guys build some incredible fishing tackle, and your dodgers and Fingerlings helped put a tremendous number of kokanee in the boat this year.
Those LURED dodgers and custom Fingerlings flat-out catch fish!
I’m proud to run your products on my boat, but I’m even more grateful to call you both friends.
I couldn’t even begin to guess how many kokanee we caught on Poulsen Cascade Tackle Twirlee-Gigs this season.
Hundreds and hundreds!
From the early-season bite to the final weeks of fishing, Twirlee-Gigs consistently produced fish. They’re one of those products I have complete confidence in, and they earned their place in my tackle box every single day.
When something works that well, you keep fishing it!
Thank you for your support throughout another successful season. Having good people and businesses behind Baddfish Guide Service makes a tremendous difference, and I appreciate it.
Maddox Tackle Kaddies — Shane Maddox
Organization is everything when you’re fishing day after day, changing tackle, and trying to stay on top of a constantly changing bite.
Shane’s Maddox Tackle Kaddies helped keep my gear organized, protected, and ready to fish.
Less time digging through tackle means more time catching fish!
Here’s something worth talking about.
An entire season of hard fishing, hundreds of kokanee, countless hours on the water, and clients of all experience levels using my equipment.
NOT ONE BROKEN TALON ROD ALL SEASON!
That’s impressive!
Talon rods have proven themselves to be tough, dependable, and sensitive enough to make kokanee fishing an absolute blast.
When you’re guiding professionally, you need equipment you can depend on every single day. Talon rods delivered.
If you’ve fished kokanee with me, you already know how important properly prepared corn can be.
Pro-Cure products played a huge role in my success this season.
Wizard Kokanee Killer Corn Dye, Slam-Ola Powder, Anise, and Bloody Tuna Oil were all key ingredients in my corn recipes.
I experimented with different combinations throughout the season, and these products consistently helped put fish in the boat.
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference!
If you’ve ever been on Lake Billy Chinook during a freezing winter morning, you know that staying warm isn’t optional!
My Simms insulated bibs and jackets have kept me comfortable through freezing temperatures, cold winds, rain, and those long winter mornings when most people would rather be sitting next to a warm fireplace.
Quality gear makes a difference, especially when you’re guiding year-round.
To every one of these companies and the people behind them, thank you for helping make another successful season possible.
WINTER FISHING AT LAKE BILLY CHINOOK — IT’S TIME TO GET EXCITED!
Just because the Central Oregon mountain lake season is coming to an end doesn’t mean we’re putting the fishing rods away!
In fact, some of my favorite fishing of the entire year is just getting started!
Baddfish Guide Service is gearing up for another exciting winter and spring fishing season at beautiful Lake Billy Chinook.
And from what I’ve been seeing, winter fishing at Billy Chinook should be AWESOME!
The lake offers some outstanding opportunities to target kokanee salmon and those big, hard-fighting bull trout that make Lake Billy Chinook such a special fishery.
There’s something about fishing Billy Chinook during the winter that I absolutely love.
The summer crowds are gone, the lake is quieter, the scenery is incredible, and there’s always the possibility of hooking into something special.
Winter kokanee fishing can be incredibly rewarding, and when those bull trout decide to cooperate, you’d better be ready!
There’s nothing quite like watching a rod bury into the water and wondering just how big that fish might be.
Whether you’re looking to put some delicious kokanee in the freezer, chase a trophy bull trout, or simply spend a memorable day fishing with friends and family, Lake Billy Chinook has plenty to offer.
And don’t let the word “winter” scare you away.
Some of the best fishing opportunities happen during the colder months, and I provide the fishing rods, tackle, bait, and equipment needed for a successful day on the water.
All you need to do is dress warmly, bring your favorite snacks, and be ready to fish!
NOW BOOKING DECEMBER 2026 THROUGH MAY 2027!
I’m currently taking reservations for Lake Billy Chinook fishing trips from December through May, and now is the perfect time to get your trip on the calendar!
Winter and spring are great times to experience Lake Billy Chinook without the heavy summer boat traffic.
December, January, and February offer the chance to enjoy some peaceful winter fishing, while March, April, and May bring exciting spring fishing opportunities as conditions begin to change.
Every month offers something a little different, and that’s part of what makes fishing this lake so much fun.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a guided fishing trip, don’t wait until the last minute.
Book now and reserve your preferred date for December through May!
Whether you’re a seasoned kokanee fisherman, someone wanting to experience bull trout fishing, or a family looking for a fun outdoor adventure, I’d love to have you aboard.
My goal is simple: provide a safe, enjoyable, family-friendly fishing experience while working hard to put you on fish.
I can’t guarantee what the fish will do on any given day, but I can guarantee I’ll give it everything I’ve got to make your trip a great experience.
ONE SEASON ENDS, ANOTHER BEGINS!
Looking back over this season, I feel incredibly fortunate to spend so much time doing something I genuinely enjoy.
I’ve met some wonderful people, made new friends, reconnected with returning clients, and shared some amazing days on the water.
That’s what makes this business special.
It’s not just about how many fish we catch.
It’s about the people we meet, the friendships we build, and the memories we create along the way.
To everyone who supported me this year, whether you booked a trip, recommended my guide service, shared a fishing report, purchased products from my sponsors, or simply followed along with my fishing adventures, I sincerely appreciate you.
And to all my returning clients, I look forward to seeing you back on the boat for another round!
The Central Oregon lake season may be wrapping up, but Baddfish Guide Service is far from finished.
We’ve got winter kokanee to catch, big bull trout to chase, and another exciting season of fishing ahead of us.
READY TO GO FISHING? LET’S GET YOU BOOKED!
BADDFISH GUIDE SERVICE
Lake Billy Chinook — Central Oregon
Winter & Spring Fishing Trips: December 2026 – May 2027
Website: www.Baddfish.com�
Email: Udeadfish@gmail.com
Call or Text: 530-334-0120
Don’t wait until your favorite dates are gone! Contact me today to reserve your winter or spring fishing adventure at Lake Billy Chinook.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for another incredible season.
I appreciate every one of you, and I’m looking forward to making even more fishing memories in the months ahead.
Tight lines, stay safe, and I’ll see you on the water!
— James
Baddfish Guide Service
Central Oregon Kokanee & Bull Trout Fishing Guide
James Hinton BaddfishGuide Service
(530) 334-0120
Baddfishguide.com
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