Fished with Mark Sagettie, Owner of Steelheader's West and writer for the Springfield News and the Weekly Hook. The article he wrote on the experience was published on Friday, June 16, 2006, on page 3B. Here is an excerpt of that article.

The Weekly Hook by Mark Seghetti

...The excitement continued Sunday morning when I took my father on a guided trip for Father's Day.

My father, Gene, and I met Jim Martin in Springfield and we were on the river by 8 a.m.

Although this may embarrass most, I missed the first couple of opportunities because of too much gabbing. The next opportunity I had I just plain watched the bobber go down with the jig below and just kept watching.

The little guy inside me was yelling at me to "set the hook." I was just not listening.

At this point the guide (Jim Martin) was looking at me like I was some kind of fool.

"Are you sure you own a tackle shop?" Martin asked.

Fishing is like anything, if you don't practice, you lose touch.

The guides that are on the river... produce numbers beyond our imagination.

One of the main reasons is that during the spring they are on the rivers nearly every day, combining this with years of experience and a vast knowledge of the river itself -- makes for an incredible venture. Martin credits a lot of people that helped him get to where he is today. Martin also mentions both Stuart and Linklater in his response to whom he thinks is the best on the McKenzie River.

Time passed and we were nearing the end of the day trip on the water with our guide.

After listening to my father gripe about not having any fish in the boat because I am "out of shape" and telling myself over and over that "those who can't, teach -- or own a shop," I finally set the hook into a nice bright McKenzie River springer.

I quickly handed the rod off to my father and told him "Happy Father's Day, and you better not lose the fish!"

After a small struggle and a ton of fun my dad landed his first springer of the year.

Martin provided one of the best guided trips I have had in a long time. I have to admit that he has one of the most organized boats that I have ever seen -- so I didn't tell him about the bottle of scent that spilled up front. Martin's habits of being organized, efficient and prepared contributed to a great day on the water.

Thank you, Jim.

Fished with Mike Stalhberg, outdoor writer for the Registar-Guard, twice.

One of the articles was published on Feb. 12, 2008, in the Outdoor section.

The other was published on December 9, 2008.