At Fred’s Fishing Adventures, our fishing guides are professional, licensed, insured, and have all the training necessary to ensure a safe day on the water. As you read our guide profiles you will see a common theme: all of our guides love the outdoors, they all spend much of their free time fishing and hunting, and in many cases they are introducing their children to the hobby and occupation they enjoy.
Our guides use only top quality equipment such as Shimano reels and rods for sturgeon and salmon fishing and almost all of our guides use Sage fly rods and reels. They know quality equipment can make a trip much more enjoyable and are committed to providing our guests with the best gear possible.
Properly laid out fishing boats that are clean organized and in top condition are important for a successful trip. Our guide boats are comfortable, reliable and ready. Book a trip with Fred’s Fishing Adventures and allow out top guides to show you why their passion is also their Job.
Tony Nootebos
Tony is the owner of BC Sport Fishing Group Ltd and has been fishing the Fraser Valley for most of his life. He grew up fishing with his brother John and father Gerry, covering most lakes, rivers and streams in Region 2. Tony’s 30 plus years of experience and passion for fishing led him to the fishing industry and in 1996 he formed Harrison Bay Guided Services. With his extensive knowledge of the Fraser River and its many tributaries, business boomed and today Tony has 20 fully insured and licensed fishing guides working for him. Tony lives in Harrison Hot Springs with his three children. When not guiding, Tony can be found in his guide shop, on the golf course or fishing with the family. Let’s go fishing!
Frank Kozel
Frank Kozel – Frank has lived in the Fraser Valley most of his life and is our Operations manager and guide for BC Sportfishing Group.
Over his many years of sport fishing Frank has learned the art of fly fishing, spent countless hours Sturgeon fishing, bait fishing and spoon fishing. He really takes his fishing seriously! When not working for BCSFG, sport fishing or running the tour boat he is pursuing his other passion as a professional musician playing guitar and singing in a few local bands.
You will also find Frank helping in the office, making sales calls, doing boat maintenance / repairs, or he might even be your shuttle driver for the day.
Whatever it is, he’s committed to help make your experience with BC Sportfishing Group the best it could possibly be.
Merr Sprangers
Having grown up in Cloverdale later moving to Chilliwack, Merr has been fishing since he was a little kid. He remembers fishing with Tony and his Dad as a beginning of his fishing career. Merr describes himself as optimistic and patient and always ready to fish even under hard conditions.
Merr has years of experience fishing the rivers of the Fraser Valley, as well as the local and interior lakes. He joined the BC Sport Fishing Group right in the beginning when Tony formed the company in 1996.
The fact that Merr enjoys helping you catch fish as much as he enjoys catching them himself has helped him become an exceptional guide. Merr loves to see the excitement of the people on his boat when they are catching a fish. He aims to please and isn’t satisfied until his clients are busy battling fish (preferably large ones that won’t fit in the boat).
We are sure that with Merr as your guide, you will experience a great day on the water!
Dan Hartlen
Danny grew up living in Chilliwack, BC, and has been fishing the Fraser River and its tributaries for over 40 years and guiding for over 25 years with the BC Sport Fishing Group team!
There are not many fishing spots in the Fraser Valley that Dan does not know or has not experienced first hand. He is always looking for the next “HOT SPOT!” Dan’s other hobbies include hockey, swimming, golfing and hiking, although most of his hikes are around water, checking out new fishing locations. Dan’s good humor and constant pranks along with his great ability to find fish consistently make for a great day on the water.
Jeff Sayewich
Jeff joined the BC Sport Fishing Group in 2007. Since then he has gained even more fishing experience as a respectable guide. Jeff had been fishing all his life and never thinks about stopping. He’d rather earn his living by guiding on a full time basis.
We describe Jeff as very patient and open minded. He will be more than happy to take you out on a fishing trip to show you why he loves fishing so much and to help you experience an unforgettable day!
In his spare time, you will find Jeff fishing or exploring the outdoors. He truly has a passion for the province of British Columbia.
Pat Vidito
Pat grew up in Chilliwack and still lives in the heart of the Fraser Valley. In his teenager years his Dad started to take Pat fishing. He still remembers the good old days when he went fishing at Nicola Lake with his Dad. During the past 20 years Pat has gained experience fishing and guiding in different places all around beautiful British Columbia. He guides in the Queen Charlotte Islands in the summer months.
Pat joined the BC Sport Fishing Team in 2006 and is guiding for us during fall where he can teach our clients how to catch a fish and give them the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day on the water. His funny and easy going nature loaded with a lot of patience makes Pat a very pleasant fishing guide. Pat is married to our office administrator Tamara and together they spend the majority of their spare time Hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.
Derek Clayton
Derek – Born and raised in Chilliwack, right next to the Vedder River, Derek started fishing at a very young age with his father, and later his younger brother, and hasn’t stopped since. A number of years ago, Derek expanded his fishing skills from wading the Vedder for salmon and steelhead to fishing the mighty Fraser River for White Sturgeon. He recently purchased a larger jet boat to take his guiding to the next level. Derek’s passion for fishing is definitely contagious, and his enthusiasm and positive energy always make for a great day on the boat. When he isn’t guiding, Derek enjoys spending his time fishing with friends and family. If you can pry a fishing rod out of his hands, you might also find him out hunting or enjoying some of the other great outdoor activities the Fraser Valley has to offer. Derek currently lives in Chilliwack with his wife and son. Oh, and did we mention that he loves to fish??
Ryan Marchuk
Ryan Marchuk – Ryan is another local angler, born and raised in Chilliwack. He started his fishing career at the age of 4, under the guidance of his Grandfather, and has been hooked ever since (pun intended). Ryan began working at Fred’s Custom Tackle after school in his teens, and following graduation. During this time he had the opportunity to fish with many of the local “Top Rods” and to become dialed in on various species of fish and the many different techniques of fishing for them. Ryan still lives in Chilliwack with his wife and son. He enjoys spending time on the water with friends and family, always looking for the next great fishing spot, and when he isn’t fishing can be found hunting, quading or spending time with his family. Ryan is a true professional and takes great pride in everything he does. It’s his goal to make every trip a lasting memory, and hopefully just the first of many great fishing memories.
Jordi Williams
Ever since he can remember Jordi has been fishing. Jordi and his wife Krisztina live only 10 minutes from the famed fishing grounds of the Harrison and Fraser River systems where they can often be found walking their daughter and throwing sticks for their golden retriever. Jordi’s guiding accolades include 3 seasons with ‘Redfern River Lodge’ nestled in the heart of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Jordi has also guided at the prestigious five-star ‘Kau Tapen Lodge’ on the Rio Grande River in Tierra del Fuego, southern Argentina. Jordi has a combined 25 + years of fishing experience on our local waters and joined BCSFG in 2004. We are positive you will have an unforgettable time on the water with Jordi!