Captain Don Samuelson is both owner and co-skipper of the Scooter. He's owned the the Scooter since 1985. Besides being a charter skipper for the past 30 years, Don is retired from a 30-year fisheries science teaching career at Grays Harbor College. He is also a retired Navy Captain (30 years). Don loves to field questions about fish, wildlife and marine biology of our area. Please ask!

Don's 53 years in the Westport charter industry began in 1956 when he deckhanded for his father aboard the 'El-Don'. He deckhanded aboard and operated salmon trollers from 1958-1971. Don has an uncanny sense for finding and catching fish, whether it's salmlon, halibut, bottomfish or tuna. Don is the only captain in our Westport fleet that regularly (past 10 years) guides for Lower Chehalis River chinook and coho salmon each fall. These 4-5 hour trips are enjoyed especially by friends and family with young children, those who tend to get seasick on the open ocean, seniors and those with disabilities. Don begins 'upriver' fishing around mid-September. There's a good chance you'll tie into a 25-35 pound chinook on these trips, and the weather is usually calm and sunny this time of year. Be sure to make reservations early for these trips, since the season is short (1.5 months)!

Captain Derek Gochanour has been operating charter boats in Westport and St. Petersburg, Alaska for a number of years now and has gained a well-deserved reputation for bringing home limits of fish. Don and Derek have great patience for helping novice fishermen to become skilled ones. The Scooter's Deckhand, Segra Carkonen has years of experience and was chosen for her outstanding "people skills".

Derek and Don are looking forward to serving you!