Carey Johnson | Texas, US | August 7, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"Booked with Capt Curtis for a smallmouth bass trip several months ago. He contacted me shortly after booking to clarify my expectations, etc. He further contacted me several times the week of the trip to go over details. In day of trip, he was professional, friendly and worked very hard to put us on fish which he did! Caught some amazing fish and lost a few more really good ones. He was always attentive and easy to talk too. Would love to go out with him again and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone interested in a smallmouth trip!"

Richard Evans | Pennsylvania, US | July 11, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"Curtis was the most enjoyable, friendly, generous, and professional fishing guide I've ever had! This review is for an afternoon half-day trip that I decided to sign-up for after previously taking a half-day morning trip with Curtis. That morning trip was such a positive experience I wanted more time on the water with Curtis. On the previous morning trip, I'd caught my Personal Best (PB) Smallmouth bass (20" ~5.5 lbs.). I wasn't thinking it'd be possible or likely to meet or exceed that in the afternoon, but I was wrong! I caught a 21" probably ~ 6 lb. Smallmouth - another PB for me! My friend also caught his PB Smallmouth that afternoon! (See photos.) As in the morning trip, Curtis allowed us to use my boat because I wanted to. My boat doesn't have "live-scope" or any forward-looking fish finder, but that didn't matter: Curtis knows where and how to fish to be successful regardless! It's a joy to be with a guide who's so enthusiastic and obviously enjoys the experience and teaching people about fish behaviors and how to fish; he's interesting to talk with. He's very generous with sharing his time and expertise. Curtis also is very responsible about handling fish carefully to minimize possible harm to them, which I also appreciate. Finally, I needed some additional dropshot weights, and Curtis provided them to me so I didn't have to make a special trip to go get them! That's "above and beyond" service!"

Richard Evans | Pennsylvania, US | July 11, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"It was a real joy to have Curtis as a guide; I very highly recommend him! Fishing with Curtis was like fishing with a good friend who's an expert at fishing for Saint Lawrence River smallmouth bass. He was very generous with his time and teaching us exactly how to make the best dropshot rig, and where and how to fish it. Because I and my friend were staying two additional days, we wanted to use my boat and our own fishing gear. Curtis was o.k. with that, and gave us a discount because we didn't use his boat and gear. Yet, he provided the recommended weights and hooks that we didn't have. We all caught fish, and I caught my Personal Best Smallmouth bass - 20" and probably about 5.5 lbs.! Curtis let me use his dock and provided electricity for me to charge the batteries in my boat from the dock - super helpful and convenient!"

Sean Leonard | New York, US | June 27, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"I highly recommend booking with Captain Curtis. My 10 year old son and I had a great time - Captain Curtis kept us moving to make sure we had action and my son caught the biggest bass of his life (so far). I was super impressed with the work Curtis put in ahead of time looking at the weather forecast, water temps and mapping out a plan to make sure we caught fish. Very prepared, super patient, positive and encouraging with my son as they worked on technique. A great time…"

Barry Lueders | Arkansas, US | July 17, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"Curtis is an outstanding outgoing young man. Explanation of the topography each spot and technique used to attack the quarry. I enjoyed the entire trip immensely. Caught 4 smallies ranging from 3-3/4lb to a 4-1/2 toad. Had a thumper upward of 5# plus come undone. Those are the types of fish we were targeting. At the completion of the trip, I felt like I’d spent the morning fishing with a good friend. Definitely recommend a trip with Curtis."

Marijo Haggett | Location Not Specified | October 12, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"We had the best time fishing with Captain Curtis! He was super professional, patient, and clearly loves what he does. All the gear was provided, and he really knows the St. Lawrence River and where to find the fish. Curtis worked so well with my kids, who each fish a little differently and have different experience levels. He kept everyone involved and having fun the whole trip. The highlight was landing a 5.8-pound smallmouth — such an awesome moment, and his excitement made it even better! I can’t recommend Curtis enough, especially if you’ve got kids. It’s the perfect way to spend a day on the water with a true pro who makes it fun for everyone."

Michael Blackman | Pennsylvania, US | July 10, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"I highly recommend booking a trip with Captain Curtis. Not only is he an amazing guide, he is an upstanding individual and true professional. Every spot Captain Curtis took us to had fish. You can’t ask for more than that. Additionally, he provided insigts and tips to a variety of lures and techniques. If you want to fish the St. Lawrence River and have an incredible experience, Captain Curtis is the way to go."

Jane Gravlin | New York, US | September 20, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"I bought this trip for a gift for my husband, and he took 2 of our adult children with him. They were messaging me before they even left to tell me how wonderful everything was! They caught 3 fish on the trip, and everyone had a great time! Curtis was a great Captain and knew what he was doing! We are thinking about planning another trip in the Spring to bring our other 2 adult children to experience this trip as well. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, they definitely look forward to going again!!"

James Morris | Iowa, US | June 20, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"We caught so many smallies that we lost count. We moved around alot and used several different methods. The seaway was beautiful, clean, and fish everywhere. The bite was good. Curtis is very knowledgeable and fishing is definitely his passion. We will definitely be back fishing with Berger Ops Fishing."

Walter Bauman | New Jersey, US | July 3, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"We had a great time with Captain Curtis. We have been out a couple of times and he is great with beginers and experienced anglers. He loves giving instruction which we really appreciated."

Everett Bauman | New Jersey, US | July 12, 2026 | 5.0 Stars

"This is the third time we went out with Captain Curtis. Each time he puts us on fish and always has spots to try if one id not working."

Jay Blanchard | New York, US | August 29, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Curt was on time on target. Worked beyond expectations to find fish. Tried all different methods to get the fish to activate. Moved the boat several times. First time female fisherman on board super patient was helpful trying to get her some action. Very social and polite."

Frank Tamburro | New Jersey, US | August 30, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

(Rating submitted without expanded review text).

Tim Wildrick | New York, US | August 24, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"My son and I had a fantastic outing with Curtis. The boat is new, impressive, and well-equipped, and Curtis was both professional and welcoming... he went out of his way to set us up for success. He was also generous with his fishing knowledge, sharing tips and techniques that made it even more rewarding. The whole experience felt less like a charter and more like a friend inviting us out. Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new, you’ll feel comfortable and have a great time. And best of all, watching my son reel in those smallies was an absolute treat! I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Curtis again."

Richard Frey | Pennsylvania, US | August 16, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"The afternoon trip we took with Captain Curtis Rissberger was a memorable experience. We did about 2 hours fishing then had a boat tour of Wellesley island international rift. This is something that cannot be done on a bigger boat and was so quiet and peaceful. My experience with Captain Curtis Rissberger is he is a down to earth guy who goes above and beyond to always make sure the customer is having a great time. He always puts customer service first and will go that extra mile. I honestly can not say enough good things about our trip and experiences with Captain Curtis Rissberger."

Tyler Brown | New York, US | August 9, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Where do I begin? From the professionalism, to the thoughtfulness and dedication to the sport of fishing, Berger Ops Fishing is a “must” charter on your bucket list for small mouth bass. Captain Curtis is knowledgeable and a great resource on the water for all things bass fishing. Fishing with Captain Curtis is like fishing with a long time friend. By far, the best charter fishing experience I’ve ever had. I’m absolutely thrilled with the results of our trip and the time spent on the water getting to know Captain Curtis and his love for the sport of smallmouth bass fishing!"

Heather Fretto | Location Not Specified | August 6, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Every year we visit the Thousand Islands and my son just fishes of the docks of the places we stay at. This year I decided to book an evening tcharter with BergerOps so my son could get the full experience of fishing on the River. Captain Curtis was waiting for us at the launch when we arrived. The boat was super clean, well-equipped with many fishing poles, beautiful lures handmade by the Captain himself, and I felt very comfortable sending my son off for a few hours. Our captain knew exactly where to go, he had a plan in place to make the trip worth it. My son enjoyed the smooth boat ride, the music he got to choose, the conversations and knowledge given for beginners, and of course catching fish! Captain Curtis arrived back at the launch on time, both of them were all smiles, and this is now something I will book for my son every year. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"

Christian Kozell | New York, US | July 12, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"A recent fishing trip out of Wellesley island on the St. Lawrence river provided an unforgettable experience. The sites of the surrounding area was immediately apparent upon arrival. As a first timer it was awesome to see all the different islands and the houses that sit on them. The conditions were not ideal to start, 85 degrees a light breeze, clear skies. It felt hot and we bounced around searching for fish. Bass were targeted, a common catch in these parts. Spinning rods were rigged with crank baits and drop shots. Over the next few hours, several bass, perch and northern pike were landed. It was a day filled with enjoyment, and the simple pleasures of spending time outdoors. Captain Curtis really went above and beyond to get us on the fish and was a true professional. I highly recommend his service for small groups that want to catch big fighting fish!"

Jason Phelps | Location Not Specified | June 21, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Incredible day to be out on the river. Had great luck with Small Mouth on the day, have a few over 4lbs. Curtis was really knowledgeable of the area we were fishing, we toured some spots that had schools of 3-4lb Small Mouth, and some other deeper areas with 4-5lb. Overall is was a really great experience. Curtis was really knowledgeable which helped us out a lot, and gave some advice on casting methods which changed our odds quickly! The boat was also incredible and quite spacious for a bass boat. Very nice! Looking forward to the next outing with Curtis."

Richard Frey | Pennsylvania, US | August 16, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"From the moment my son and I got on his boat we had a blast. He is very professional courteous and always puts customers first. We did a 4 hour morning fishing trip and was out for almost 5 hours. His prices are great and he is extremely knowledgeable about where to fish for big small mouth bass. If I had to say one thing about Captain Curtis it would be he cares about his customers and wants them to have the best possible experience that they can have."

Craig Beucler | Australia | June 22, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"I fished a full day with Captain Curtis and I will absolutely be back for another! We tried a few different spots and he put me on one giant smallmouth after another. I must’ve caught 30 with most of them being over 4 lbs and one definitely over 5. Curtis knows the river like the back of his hand and I’d recommend a day with him whether you’re a beginner or have been fishing your whole life. Thanks Curtis!"

Kirstin Barkley | Location Not Specified | June 21, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"SLAMMED THEM! Within the first four casts we had fish in the boat. Plenty of nice smallies with a few pike thrown in. Captain Curtis was incredibly knowledgeable about the River and the habits of the bass. Great attitude, great fishing, even better conversation. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just looking for a fun day on the water, I can’t recommend this trip enough. Already planning my next one"

Tyaire Sullivan-watson | Delaware, US | July 19, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Captain Curtis was extremely knowledgeable about smallmouth bass he put myself and friend in to. We left early in the morning and instantly hooked up on 2 descent sized smallies off a lures he recommended. I 100% plan on on chartering with him.I highly recommend him for the best experience his price is worth it"

Brian Fuller | Location Not Specified | July 11, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Had an amazing evening on the water with Curtis. Caught a lot of quality small mouth bass and a monster Pike! Curtis is patient, explained everything, and has very high quality equipment that we used! Knew the area very well and knew all the honey holes! Amazing experience highly recommend Curtis!"

Isaac Barkley | Location Not Specified | June 15, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"I had an incredible time with captain curtis. He took us to all the right spots to catch some nice fish. We caught a lot of 4-5 pound small mouth and overall had a blast. I highly recommend going on a charter with Curtis, good vibes all around!"

Dillon Lichwick | New York, US | July 6, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Went on a second trip and was not disappointed multiple hook ups even tho we didn’t land every hook up we fought multiple fish and landed a bunch couldn’t ask for a better morning on the water"

Dillon Lichwick | New York, US | July 5, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"It was a great time and had a blast caught a lot of fish can’t wait to go again captain Curtis was awesome caught multiple fish had a blast. Can’t wait to come back and experience more and learn more from him"

Ben Nicola | Location Not Specified | August 1, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"Experienced fisher, professional manner. Capt. Curtis got the group on fish. Overall fun day. Highly recommend."

Walter Bauman | New Jersey, US | July 11, 2025 | 5.0 Stars

"We had a great trip. Caught personal best smalleis and pike! Captain Curtis did a great job."