Full Day Rogue River Drift Boat Adventure
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Fullday shared drift boat fishing on legendary Rogue RiverTarget salmon, steelhead, rockfish with 20+ year local expertEighthour trips start at daylight, accommodate up to three anglers
Picture this: you're floating down the legendary Rogue River at first light, rod in hand, with one of Gold Beach's most experienced guides calling the shots. Josh Terry's been working these waters for over two decades, and he knows exactly where the fish are holding. This 8-hour shared drift boat trip puts you right in the heart of some of Oregon's best salmon and steelhead fishing. You'll be sharing the boat with up to two other anglers, which keeps costs down while still giving you plenty of room to work. Josh starts these trips early – anywhere from 5:00 to 7:00 AM depending on conditions – so you'll want to give him a call before your trip to nail down the exact meet time.
The Rogue River isn't just any waterway – it's a world-class fishery that's been putting smiles on anglers' faces for generations. Josh runs a comfortable drift boat that handles the river's character perfectly, from the gentle pools where steelhead like to rest to the deeper holes where big Chinook salmon cruise. You'll cover a lot of water during your 8 hours, and Josh knows every productive spot along the way. The shared format means you'll be fishing alongside other anglers who are just as fired up about being on the water as you are. Don't worry about the social aspect – most folks are pretty cool, and there's something special about celebrating a great fish with people who really get it. Josh provides all the tackle and knows exactly what presentations are working each day, so you can focus on reading the water and setting hooks instead of guessing at gear.
Drift boat fishing is an art form, and Josh has it dialed in. The boat allows you to cover water systematically, working likely holding spots without spooking fish the way you might from shore. You'll be using a mix of techniques depending on what's biting – everything from back-bouncing eggs and cured roe to pulling plugs and spinners. The beauty of drift fishing is how it lets you present baits naturally with the current, right where feeding fish expect to see them. Josh handles all the boat positioning and reads the water for you, so you can concentrate on your presentation and stay ready for that telltale bump or screaming drag. The Rogue has structure everywhere – boulders, fallen trees, ledges, and gravel bars – and each spot requires a slightly different approach. That's where Josh's two decades of experience really pays off. He'll coach you through the techniques and make sure your gear is rigged properly for the conditions.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of the Rogue River system, and when one grabs your line, you'll know it immediately. These kings can push 30-40 pounds during peak runs, and they fight like freight trains with an attitude problem. Fall brings the best Chinook action, typically from late August through October, when fish are moving upriver to spawn. What makes hooking a Rogue River king so special isn't just the size – it's the setting. You're fighting this incredible fish in one of the most beautiful river systems on the West Coast, with old-growth forests rising from both banks.
Coho salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the most acrobatic fish you'll ever tangle with. These silver bullets love to jump, and they'll test your reflexes with sudden direction changes and blistering runs. Coho fishing peaks from late summer into fall, and they're suckers for well-presented spinners and small plugs. Josh has the presentation dialed in perfectly for Rogue River cohos, and catching one always feels like a victory – they're just plain fun to fight.
Steelhead trout are what legends are made of, and the Rogue produces some absolute beauties. These sea-run rainbows return to the river chrome-bright and ready to battle, often jumping repeatedly and making long, powerful runs that'll have your reel screaming. Winter steelhead fishing can be phenomenal from December through March, while summer runs provide action from May through October. Landing a wild Rogue River steelhead is something every angler should experience – they're incredibly strong for their size and absolutely gorgeous fish.
Blue rockfish add some variety to your day when salmon and steelhead are being finicky. These bottom-dwellers hang around rocky structure and provide steady action when you need it most. They're excellent table fare and fight surprisingly hard for their size. Josh knows exactly where to find them when you need to put some bend in your rod or want to take home a meal.
Lingcod are the monsters lurking in deeper holes and around rocky structure. These prehistoric-looking predators can grow massive – 20-30 pounders aren't uncommon – and they hit baits with authority. Lings are ambush predators that inhale anything that looks like an easy meal, making them a blast to catch. Their ugly mugs and impressive size make for great photos, and they're fantastic eating too.
Josh Terry's reputation on the Rogue River speaks for itself – 20+ years of putting clients on fish doesn't happen by accident. This shared trip format gives you access to top-tier guiding at a price that won't break the bank, and you'll still get plenty of personal attention and coaching. The Rogue River is fishing at its finest, combining world-class angling with scenery that'll take your breath away between fish. Remember to grab your Oregon Fishing License and Salmon/Steelhead Tag before your trip – Josh can point you toward where to get them if you're not sure. Whether you're chasing your first Rogue River king or you're a seasoned angler looking to experience these waters with a true local expert, this trip delivers the goods. The early start time means you'll have the river mostly to yourself during prime morning hours
The 17' Willie Drift Boat cuts through Rogue River currents like it was born for these waters. Built specifically for Southern Oregon's challenging rivers, this classic drift boat puts you right where the fish are biting. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your line while Josh navigates to the best salmon and steelhead holes. The boat's shallow draft design lets you access those productive back channels and quiet pools that bigger vessels can't reach. Whether you're targeting Chinook in the deeper runs or working the rocky edges for lingcod, this drift boat keeps you perfectly positioned. The open layout gives everyone casting room, while the stable platform keeps you confident when that big steelhead decides to make a run. Perfect for serious anglers who want to fish the Rogue the way it's meant to be fished.
Sebastes MystinusBlue rockfish are schooling fish with that distinctive blue-gray coloring and rounded shape that sets them apart from other rockfish. They typically run 12-18 inches and are found around rocky reefs, kelp beds, and structure from shallow water down to several hundred feet. March through December is the main season since there's a winter closure. What makes blues appealing is they're fairly easy to catch once you locate a school, and they're great table fare with mild, flaky white meat. They feed mainly on plankton and small prey, so they're not as aggressive as other species but still fun on lighter tackle. The key is finding the schools - they move around a lot. Once you mark fish on the finder, get a small jig or bait down to them quickly. Use enough weight to stay on bottom, and be ready for that subtle bite. Watch for the venomous spines when handling them.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of salmon - the biggest and strongest fighters you'll encounter on the Rogue. These bruisers average 15-20 pounds but can push 30+ pounds, with that classic silver body, black-spotted tail, and dark mouth. They prefer the deeper holes and runs, often hugging the bottom in 8-15 feet of water near cover like boulders or fallen trees. Fall is prime time when the spawning run peaks, though we see fish from late summer through winter. What makes kings special is their sheer power and the quality of their orange-pink meat. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening tend to be best. Here's the key: get your bait or lure deep where they're holding. I like to back-bounce roe or pull plugs through the deeper slots. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them run - trying to horse a big king will cost you the fish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silver salmon, are acrobatic fighters that'll jump up to 6 feet out of the water when hooked. These fish typically run 8-12 pounds and have that distinctive silver body with black spots on their backs. You'll find them in the deeper pools and eddies of the Rogue, especially where there's good cover from logs or undercut banks. Fall through early winter is prime time as they make their spawning runs from the ocean. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature - they'll hit lures hard and put on a real show once you hook up. The meat is top-notch too, with that bright orange-red color. My tip: when you're drifting through a good pool, let your roe or spinner drop deep and swing through the tail-out. That's where they stage before moving upstream.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod but aggressive predators that live around rocky structure and kelp beds near the river mouth. These gnarly-looking fish have huge mouths full of sharp teeth and can reach impressive sizes - females often hit 20+ pounds while males stay smaller. You'll find them hanging near the bottom around rocks, ledges, and drop-offs where they ambush prey. They're active year-round, but spring through fall tends to be most productive when we're fishing the lower river and estuary areas. What makes lingcod fun is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - plus they're excellent eating with firm white meat. They'll hit just about anything, but here's what works best: drop a heavy jig or large bait right to the bottom near structure. Once you feel that thump, set the hook hard and get them away from the rocks quickly or they'll wrap you up.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are sea-run rainbow trout that return to the Rogue after spending years in the ocean, making them larger and stronger than regular rainbows. These chrome-bright fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches and really know how to fight. They love the deeper runs with good current and rocky bottom structure, often holding behind boulders or in the seams between fast and slow water. Winter steelhead run from late fall through spring, while summer fish show up mid-summer through fall. What gets people hooked on steelhead is their raw power and stubborn attitude - they'll make long runs and jump repeatedly. The meat is firm and tasty too. Here's a local trick: when you're working a drift, make sure your presentation gets down to their level. Steelhead won't come up much, so add enough weight to tick the bottom occasionally.
Rogue River