Last weekend I spent the weekend camping in a very nice little cabin on river at Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport next to the Bald Eagle Interpretive Center. On Saturday morning,With my Nikon around my neck,and visibly little luck spotting eagles from the shore and road in Rockport at the Bald Eagle Interpretive Center,Captain Dave came up to me around 10 and handed me a flyer offering a free float down the river,meeting across the street in the dirt pull out at his bus at 11.He guaranteed we would spot plenty of eagles from the water.I gladly took up his offer and was greeted at 11 by a short,white bus full of exited adventurers and one enthusiastic Captain Dave in the drivers seat.the bus seemed fairly new and was in nice shape.A pile of life jackets covered the back row of seats. As a few more people showed up he informed us he had overbooked and told me to return to the spot at 1 for his 1 o clock trip. I returned and was joined by 5 adventurers. Dave took the time to meet everyone and have everyone say their name and what they do for a living and where they are from to the group-getting everyone acquainted,which was a nice touch.I learned these Dave is a Vet and spends the summers in Anchorige,Alaska as a fishing guide. I am Railroad and wildlife photographer. One of the couple had their 12 year old nephew with them who was in 7th grade who exitedly captured photos on his iPhone.The trip was very family and kid friendly.His raft was towed behind the bus on a flatbed trailer.We went about a mile up river along HWY 20 to a roadside park with a small boat launch. From there it was an amazing hour and a half float on the crystal clear water back to Rockport through the heart of the Eagle flocks as they roosted in riverside trees,soared above and past our raft, and feasted on dead salmon that washed up on shore after spawning and dying. The raft provided ample seating and room for legs and gear. Captain Dave towed from the back when needed,but the river did most of the work for him. WE SAW 20 EAGLES as well as blue herons and hawks. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. El Dorado Mtn. and snow capped peaks of the “American Alps” provided picturesque backdrops. Dave was a walking,talking encyclopedia on eagles and other local wildlife. He was safe and made sure everyone was given a proper size life jacket and wearing it the whole trip. He even beached the raft on an island and gave us time to explore the beach and find cool rocks,beaver sticks,spot animal tracks and take photos. Captain Dave invited me on Sunday’s 8 mile trip from Marblemount to Rockport saying to meet at the same place at 9AM. I happily did so. Me and 4 other adventurers(two couples) made the trip. The trip was very scenic and we saw even more varieties of wildlife such as Bald Eagles,Blue Herons,Mergansers,Wood Ducks,Red Tail Hawks and more. Helicopters flow over us giving scenic flight tours along the river. El Dorado Mtn towered over the river providing beautiful Mountain views,as well as snow capped peaks of the “American Alps”. The water was calm with only small rapids just enough make the ride that much more fun and raft like without getting wet. Captain Dave filled the gaps with stories of local history of the towns and houses that lined the shore including a prohibition era house once used to bootleg whisky and moonshine. He told stories of the wildlife and the Osprey who leave their nests behind to fly south to Brazil for the Winter then return in Spring to the exact near they left from. And how the salmon are born here,swim out to the salt waters of Puget sound when they spend several years,then the ones who survive the whales and Sea Lions and Sharks return up river to the exact place they were born to lay their own eggs before dying.how incredible! WE SAW 37 EAGLES ON THIS TRIP! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! DON’T BELIEVE RHE BAD REVIEWS!!!!SALDY,ITS SIMPLY THE FACT THAT NOONE TAKES THE TIME OF DAY TO REMARK ABOUT ANYONE GOOD AND PEOPLE ONLY SEE THE NEGATIVES IN LIFE!!WOULD HAPPILY SAIL WITH CAPTAIN DAVE ANYTIME,WHO GAVE ME HIS CARD AND SAID TO CALL HIM ANYTIME I WANT TO RETURN AND HE WILL GET ME OUT ON THE WATER AGAIN! THANKS CAPTAIN DAVE!!!!MUCH LOVE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!

Captain Dave had his mask down to his chin in the car ride, and spit copiously when he was talking.He also had a paternalistic attitude, telling me what to do in ways that went beyond reasonable safety considerations.Additionally, the time of our flight was changed last minute.This may not bother you, but he also name-dropped constantly, which I found annoying, especially when I was there to be out in nature, not being subjected to a word salad.

Stay away. We cancelled our trip before it began. I’ve been on many professional and well run float trips across this country. This is not one of them. Go to a real outfit with sober guides and safe boats. Red Flag #1 - Crappy beat up old boat.Red Flag #2- Captain Dave wanted to fit 12 of us, plus himself and his old bike in a single raft.Red Flag #3- Filthy and with dirty life vests.Red Flag #4- Open cup of beer in the center console of his van as he drove. Red Flag #5- Back of the van littered with empty red cans.

DO NOT BOOK WITH CAPTAIN DAVE!!! Unsafe in every way. Crammed a bunch of people into his van, kids sitting in back on top of empty beer cans, he was himself drinking beer while driving us, then tried to get 12 of us, himself and his bike into a small patched up raft that barely stayed inflated. At the last moment, we decided against going because we didn’t feel safe. The life jackets he had were old and would not have fit half our group. Do not book!!!! I will be fighting to get my money back now.

Sketchy meeting place. Life jackets were outdated, and didn’t fit appropriately. We were offered two sizes. Large and extra large. Not enough youth vests. Unsafe transportation. 11 in a Honda van that only had two rows of seats. The raft had a leak.