Meet Guide Josh Terry

Captain Josh Terry, owner and operator of Chasin' Tails Guide Service, has spent a lifetime on the riverways of Southern Oregon and Northern California. His connection to fishing began at six years old alongside his father, planting the seed for a career dedicated to the water. By age 19, Josh was already leading client trips, turning his passion into a lifelong profession. Today, with over 20 years of local guiding experience based out of Gold Beach, he brings an approachable teaching style and deep regional knowledge to every trip, ensuring both first-time anglers and experienced fishermen feel confident and well-prepared on the water.

Over the decades, Josh has mastered the seasonal habits of Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, winter steelhead, trout, rockfish, and lingcod across a wide network of coastal river systems. While the Rogue River serves as a central hub during spring and summer, his year-round calendar follows active runs across the Chetco, Elk, Sixes, Smith, and Umpqua rivers. As a licensed US Coast Guard Master, registered Oregon Fishing Guide, and fully insured operator, Captain Josh prioritizes guest safety, proper river navigation, and attentive service on every outing.

A distinguishing aspect of Josh's service is his authorization to guide within protected public lands. He holds limited special use permits for both the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Six Rivers National Forest—credentials granted to only a small group of regional captains. These permits allow his guests to experience secluded, highly productive stretches of river while learning effective local techniques. Josh's patient, guest-focused approach centers on sharing these coastal fisheries responsibly, helping every group enjoy a seamless, rewarding day on the water.

The Boats & Fishing Gear

To ensure a comfortable and productive experience across varying water conditions, Captain Josh operates top-tier, custom-built river craft suited for both shallow drift floating and powered river navigation. Larger groups and power boat trips run aboard a 23-foot Willie Predator aluminum sled, powered by a reliable 225 HP Mercury outboard engine that navigates river currents smoothly while moving efficiently between fishing spots. For low-water conditions, technical river bends, or quiet floats, Josh utilizes two 17-foot Willie drift boats engineered specifically for Pacific Northwest waterways. Every trip comes fully equipped with custom Chrome Seeker rods, high-performance Shimano reels, premium terminal tackle, and complimentary fish cleaning at the end of the day.