About Us & The Wynoochee

Our Story: Love, Fish, and the Wynoochee River

The Wynoochee River has always held a special place in the hearts of the Waters West family, but for Casey and Jessica, it’s where their love story began. On November 14, 2004, fate brought them together on the riverbank—a day that changed their lives forever.

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It was Jessica’s birthday, and she was celebrating with friends at a riverside barbecue. Smoke from the campfire curled up into the crisp autumn air, carrying the scent of sizzling burgers and the sound of laughter downstream. Just a day earlier, Casey and his best fishing buddy, Griffin, had floated past the gathering while fishing for salmon and steelhead out of a Willie drift boat. “They’re still partying,” Griffin guessed as the smoky aroma greeted them again that morning. He was right.

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Jessica and her friends had been welcoming fishermen to stop by for a beer and a burger all weekend, but of all the anglers who passed, Casey and Griffin were the only ones who took up the offer. As they joined the birthday celebration, Jessica and Casey discovered they had more in common than their love for the river. Both were single at the time, and in a delightful twist, Griffin’s wife was also named Jessica. Seeing the spark between his best friend and the birthday girl, Griffin—a man who loved his own marriage and family deeply—immediately began playing matchmaker.

 

The group spent the day laughing, sharing stories, and bonding over the magic of the river.

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Fast forward to the fall of 2007, and Casey had a plan to make their love story even more memorable. After Jessica finished work one beautiful autumn afternoon, he invited her on a float trip down the Wynoochee River. This wasn’t an ordinary fishing trip. Casey had prepared a surprise: a basket of chocolates and fruit to enjoy as they drifted downstream. The river was quiet, the trees ablaze with fall colors, and the atmosphere was perfect.

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As the boat rounded the final bend before their property, Jessica noticed something unusual. A white tent was set up on the riverbank, adorned with twinkling lights, flowers, and candles. Underneath the tent, a table was beautifully set, and a barbecue was ready for dinner. Casey had recreated the magic of the very spot where they had first met, but this time, he had one more surprise.

 

When the boat reached the shore, Casey got down on one knee, holding a stunning engagement ring. With the Wynoochee River as their witness, Jessica said yes.

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On August 1, 2009, Casey and Jessica were married on that same riverbank, surrounded by friends and family. The Wynoochee River, the heart of their love story, became a symbol of their commitment to one another and the life they were building together. Today, their passion for the river and the joy it brings is at the heart of Fish Waters West.

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From the first meeting over campfire burgers to a proposal under the stars, Casey and Jessica’s story is a testament to the connections forged by nature, family, and the love of fishing. It’s this same spirit of connection and adventure that they bring to every guided trip on the Wynoochee River, inviting others to create memories as unforgettable as their own.