Borderline River Charters LLC

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  "organizationId": "2ac1cd19-6251-461a-9e5c-bf65f0cb0cfb",
  "name": "Borderline River Charters LLC",
  "guideName": "Brian Thomas",
  "slug": "borderline-river-charters",
  "bio": "Brian Thomas has been guiding on the Snake River and Hells Canyon for 20 years, building deep expertise across multiple species and seasons. His year revolves around the natural migrations: fall and winter steelhead and chinook salmon, spring through fall sturgeon, and summer smallmouth bass and rainbow trout in the upper canyon reaches. He operates drift boats and jet boats across the Snake River, Salmon River, Grande Ronde River, Imnaha River, and seasonal trips to Alaska's Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, offering both technical fly fishing and conventional techniques to anglers of all skill levels.",
  "yearsExperience": 20,
  "descriptionShort": "Borderline River Charters, operated by Brian Thomas, offers year-round guided fishing on the Snake River, Hells Canyon, and surrounding waters of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Specializing in steelhead, sturgeon, chinook salmon, and smallmouth bass, Thomas runs both drift boats and jet boats to access diverse water types and seasonal opportunities across multiple river systems.",
  "descriptionLong": null,
  "editorialPitch": "Brian Thomas has spent 20 years mastering the seasonal rhythms of the Snake River and Hells Canyon—from fall steelhead and chinook to spring sturgeon and smallmouth bass—offering anglers a dynamic, year-round pursuit of some of the Pacific Northwest's most powerful fish.",
  "fishinessRating": 5,
  "rating": null,
  "reviewCount": 0,
  "vertical": "guide_service",
  "isOutfitter": false,
  "hasMultipleGuides": false,
  "guideType": "multi_species",
  "tripStyle": "serious_angler",
  "fishingTypes": [
    "steelhead fishing",
    "sturgeon fishing",
    "smallmouth bass fishing",
    "rainbow trout fishing",
    "chinook salmon fishing",
    "channel catfish fishing",
    "fly fishing",
    "back trolling",
    "drifting",
    "cast and retrieve",
    "bait fishing",
    "wade fishing",
    "drift boat",
    "jet boat"
  ],
  "bestFor": [
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    "catch-and-release",
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  "hasGoogleMaps": true,
  "qualityTier": "excellent",
  "thinData": false,
  "possiblyClosed": false,
  "city": "Asotin",
  "stateProvince": "WA",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "country": "US",
  "timezone": "UTC-7",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://borderlinerivercharters.com/fishing",
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  "googleMapsUrl": "https://maps.google.com/?cid=2397492407655080514&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA",
  "openMonths": [
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  "fishingSeasonsNarrative": "My guiding year on the Snake River in Hells Canyon is a dynamic journey, dictated by the migrations and behaviors of the incredible fish that call these waters home. The fall and winter months, from October through February, are dominated by the thrilling pursuit of Steelhead, as they return to their natal rivers. This season also offers a fantastic opportunity to hook into a Fall Chinook Salmon, often on the same charter. As winter gives way to spring and summer, my focus shifts to the powerful Sturgeon. While they are present year-round, the period from April through October is ideal for targeting these prehistoric giants, and it also coincides with excellent opportunities for Smallmouth Bass and Rainbow Trout in the upper reaches of Hells Canyon. This allows for a diverse fishing experience, catering to those who love the fight of big fish and those who prefer the action of catching larger volumes.",
  "meetingPoint": null,
  "providesGear": true,
  "gearNotes": "All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided. Waders and boots are available. Clients of all experience levels are welcome to bring their own gear if preferred.",
  "kidFriendly": null,
  "skillLevel": "all levels",
  "cancellationPolicy": null,
  "licenseInfo": null,
  "whatToExpect": "Trips depart from Asotin, WA and Lewiston, Idaho, with water types ranging from fast-moving canyon sections to slower pools depending on season and target species. Fall and winter days focus on steelhead and chinook on the main Snake River, while spring and summer shift to sturgeon in deeper holes and smallmouth bass in the upper canyon. Thomas accommodates all skill levels with instruction available, and trips can be tailored for high-volume action or trophy-focused pursuits.",
  "status": "enriched",
  "profileTier": "standard",
  "pipelineId": 511,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-08T18:30:57.488Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-16T14:49:37.045Z",
  "credentials": [
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      "credentialType": "uscg_license",
      "issuingAuthority": "USCG",
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  "geom": {
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  "tags": [
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      "slug": "beginner",
      "name": "Beginner",
      "tagType": "ability"
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    {
      "slug": "intermediate",
      "name": "Intermediate",
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    },
    {
      "slug": "advanced",
      "name": "Advanced",
      "tagType": "ability"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fly-fishing",
      "name": "Fly Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "spin-fishing",
      "name": "Spin Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wade-fishing",
      "name": "Wade Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "trolling",
      "name": "Trolling",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "year-round",
      "name": "Year-Round",
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    },
    {
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      "name": "Streamer",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "live-bait",
      "name": "Live Bait",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drift-boat",
      "name": "Drift Boat",
      "tagType": "boat_type"
    },
    {
      "slug": "full-day",
      "name": "Full Day",
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    {
      "slug": "wade-trip",
      "name": "Wade Trip",
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    {
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      "name": "Float Trip",
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    {
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    {
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      "name": "Instructional",
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    {
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      "name": "Catch & Release",
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      "name": "Gear Provided",
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    {
      "slug": "flies-provided",
      "name": "Flies / Lures Provided",
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      "name": "Freshwater",
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  "faqs": [
    {
      "id": "25b2be4b-a63b-49c9-8a54-c29d0895f695",
      "question": "What types of fish can we catch on the Snake River?",
      "answer": "The Snake River in Hells Canyon is an excellent fishery for all types of fishermen. It provides opportunity to fish for Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Sturgeon, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and an occasional Channel Catfish.",
      "category": "fishing",
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    },
    {
      "id": "69dcb6ca-dfca-4241-acb8-1deb61db9eab",
      "question": "When is the best time for steelhead fishing?",
      "answer": "Steelhead fishing is best from October through February. Anglers have the opportunity to fish for Steelhead runs returning back to the Grande Rhonde River, Salmon River, Imnaha River, and Snake River. These rivers combine to provide on average 80,000 catchable returning fish.",
      "category": "fishing",
      "sortOrder": 1
    },
    {
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      "question": "Can we catch Chinook Salmon while steelhead fishing?",
      "answer": "In late September and early October an angler typically has a good opportunity of hooking into a Fall Chinook Salmon while on a Steelhead charter.",
      "category": "fishing",
      "sortOrder": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "a07c0d82-7cf8-4232-a330-49b3b526386d",
      "question": "What is the sturgeon fishing like?",
      "answer": "The Sturgeon in the Snake River are prehistoric looking fish that can reach up to 12-13 feet in length. The larger fish can reach weights exceeding 350 pounds. The Snake River Hells Canyon fishery is a Catch-And-Release fishery with excellent populations of big fish for the sport fishing challenge.",
      "category": "fishing",
      "sortOrder": 3
    },
    {
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      "question": "When is the best time for sturgeon fishing?",
      "answer": "Although Sturgeon Fishing is year-round in Hells Canyon, we recommend booking April through October, which allows opportunity for Smallmouth Bass and Rainbow Trout as well.",
      "category": "fishing",
      "sortOrder": 4
    },
    {
      "id": "7f799729-aed3-43ff-be64-d950985e4a1e",
      "question": "What is the boat like on your trips?",
      "answer": "You'll be aboard a United States Coast Guard Certified 28-foot twin engine jet boat. Built by Bentz Boats of Lewiston, Idaho, it was designed for running the beautiful Snake and Salmon Rivers and technical whitewater rapids. The boats have all the amenities for your party to enjoy the trips, and all the necessary equipment to keep people safe.",
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    {
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      "question": "How many people can fit on a boat?",
      "answer": "Up to 6 people per boat for standard fishing and sightseeing trips. For fly fishing trips, up to 4 people per boat.",
      "category": "boat",
      "sortOrder": 6
    },
    {
      "id": "e83cbd69-e925-4b71-9c54-801f44626adb",
      "question": "Do I need a fishing license?",
      "answer": "This is not explicitly stated on the site, but the site mentions a",
      "category": "fishing",
      "sortOrder": 7
    }
  ],
  "destinations": [
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  ],
  "primaryDestinationSlug": "washington",
  "accommodations": [],
  "species": [
    {
      "slug": "king-salmon",
      "commonName": "King Salmon",
      "category": "anadromous",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": [
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Fall Chinook Salmon are often encountered in late September and early October while on Steelhead charters.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "steelhead",
      "commonName": "Steelhead",
      "category": "anadromous",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": [
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      "seasonalityNotes": "The most popular fishing for Steelhead runs from October through February, as they return to the Grande Rhonde, Salmon, Imnaha, and Snake Rivers. This period also offers a good chance to hook a Fall Chinook Salmon.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "sturgeon",
      "commonName": "Sturgeon",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": [
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Sturgeon fishing is available year-round in Hells Canyon, with larger fish reaching impressive sizes. The recommended booking period is April through October, which also aligns with opportunities for other species.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "smallmouth-bass",
      "commonName": "Smallmouth Bass",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": [
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      "seasonalityNotes": "Smallmouth Bass fishing is excellent in the upper Hells Canyon reaches, particularly when booking Sturgeon trips between April and October.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "rainbow-trout",
      "commonName": "Rainbow Trout",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": [
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      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Upper Hells Canyon offers excellent Rainbow Trout fishing, which can be pursued alongside Sturgeon trips from April through October.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "channel-catfish",
      "commonName": "Channel Catfish",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
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      "peakMonths": null,
      "seasonalityNotes": "An occasional Channel Catfish can be caught, often encountered during Sturgeon trips.",
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    }
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      "altText": "Smiling angler on a boat holding a large Steelhead with river and mountains in the background",
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