June 2004
I have fished with Mark Charlton for twenty years. He's the best captain on the river.

Finally, after landing more than 200 sturgeon and 500 salmon over the years, on 6/28/02 I hooked into the largest legal sturgeon ever caught! It measured EXACTLY 60" or 5 feet, and weighed 62 pounds.

Mark Jr. is helping me hold it because after thirty minutes to bring it it I was tired but happy! I smoked 27 pounds of fillets and at $20 a pound for smoked sturgeon that was a $500.00 fish.

Not bad for an $80.00 trip. One 42" keeper fish pays for your trip and you have fun doing it.

The 'Ruby Sea' and 'Captain Mark' = damn good fishing!! A 40 LB Chinook last week also helped my spirits.

Dear Captain Mark
Our trip with you last Sunday was without a doubt the finest one day fishing trip I have ever had, and I want you to know how much I appreciate the thought and effort you and your son put into it to make it the success that it was.

I have fished the river, the bar, and outside for more than 40 years, but I have never had a more pleasant day. The bar was flat going out and coming in: the ocean was flat: you knew where to find the fish: your son knew how to bait the lines, keep the lines in the water and net the fish. We had young people who had never fished before, and when we finished, everyone came home happy with their limit.

You have a fine young son. I was impressed with his work ethic, and with your guidance and encouragement, I would expect him to be a success at his chosen field, whatever it is.

Thanks again for your personal contribution to a wonderful and happy day!

-- Tom

July 2004
Report sent in by David King:

The fishers on the Ruby Sea happened to be three dads and an uncle with five young fishers in tow.
We started our adventure at 5:30 a.m. from the Warrenton harbor, a mild bar and good sea conditions welcomed us.

Captain Mark headed farther out than most and located a productive seam.
We let our lines out and in about 75 minutes we had landed 20 fish for 10 fishers. Another 20 fish, that had adipose fins intact, were returned safely to the sea, all Coho. Jarad's fish weighed 12-pounds.

I remain very impressed with the Ruby Sea's captain in his ability to find fish and most importantly, to provide a safe and fun adventure for us all.

Note from a client
We have been fishing with Mark Charlton for about 6 years now. We come camping on memorial day weekend and go sturgeon fishing with him. He is the best!! We have a ball with him.

The first year we went with him the fishing started out slow and he asked me if we wanted to have some fun, sure. We pulled anchor and went down the river. The fish finder showed no fish, he dropped anchor and had everyone threw their bait out. Within 20 minuets there were about 20 boats around us. We pulled anchor and bugged out with mark laughing all the way.

You know you picked the right captain when that many boats follow you around. If you see him tell him "Excursion Dude" said to go back and hide in his cabin. Those 2 had fun going back and forth.