The Boat
This awesome 42 ft, 580 hp. Cummins diesel powered six passenger boat is absolutely first class from stem to stern. It features state of the art electronics (Navnet gps/plotter, radar and fish finder; Simrad auto pilot; Noble Tech computer navigation systems; several radios and top of the line safety equipment. It even features satellite t. v.'s and phones. "Fortuna" has a spacious bow and back deck, making landing big lingcod, halibut, salmon and tuna a pleasurable experience. In addition, it includes a tuna tower (the only boat in Westport to have that feature), refrigerated fish hold, and tuna rack at the stern. Your going to love it!


The Skipper
Don Samuelson’s fishing background goes back almost 300 years to Norway where his ancestors fished for cod and halibut.  Don began fishing from Westport in 1956, starting as a deckhand on his father's boat.  He’s owned and operated many charter boats over his 45+ years on the sea, including the “Scooter”.  Don is a retired Naval Captain and just finished a 30 year stint teaching fisheries and marine biology at Grays Harbor College.  He will gladly answer any questions you may have about fish, birds, whales, and any other marine types of marine life in our coastal area.  Don gives his customers a little something extra, like Starbucks coffee, to start their fishing day, as well as a smoked salmon snack to top off their trip.

The Deckhands
Ben Smith is high school physical science teacher from Puyallup, WA. His enthusiastic, caring manner, and strong work ethic epitomizes our motto "service is our business." Don also plans to have his grandson, Peter Samuelson, assist him. During the fishing day Ben and Peter can be seen rigging a wide assortment of fishing gear, cutting bait, netting and gaffing the catch, and cleaning salmon and or filleting bottom fish and tuna. They will even fillet your salmon if you ask. Watch how carefully they handle your salmon, the way they bleed them and ice them down, and the gentle way they release any "wild" fish so they won't be injured.

Your Fishing Experience
We carry and utilize “light tackle” to catch rockfish whenever conditions permit.  You’ll really love light tackle fishing if you haven’t experienced it.  It usually takes 45 minutes to 1½ hours to reach the fishing grounds.  Sometimes there is rough water crossing the Grays Harbor Bar.  Before we depart from the dock, we will hold a morning briefing where you will be taught about safety on the seas.

We often “mooch” (drift with the wind and current) or troll for salmon.  With only six guests, we can easily change gear to accommodate all fishing and weather conditions.  You will also enjoy the exclusivity, comfort and space that goes along with a six-pac boat.  You may easily make 2 - 3 trips around the boat before landing a 30-40 lb. Chinook.

We try not only to take exceptional care of you, but also of your fish, while at sea.  Ask Don and Derek about ways to transport, freeze and thaw your catch as well as how to prepare, cook, or smoke it.  Remember, “Service IS Our Business”.  Be sure to let us know how we can serve you even better.

Don Samuelson, Ben Smith, and Peter Samuelson