Full Day Fall Chinook/Coho Salmon Fishing
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full day salmon fishing on Oregon rivers with guide LoganChoice of trolling from sled or drift boat techniquesAll tackle and gear provided for Fall Chinook/Coho
When fall hits Oregon's coastal and inland rivers, there's nothing quite like chasing chrome-bright Chinook and feisty Coho salmon with a guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Logan Ellis, better known as Chicken Little around these parts, has been putting anglers on fish for years across some of Oregon's most productive salmon runs. Whether you're swinging through deep holes on the Siletz or trolling the big water of the Columbia, this full-day adventure puts you right in the heart of Oregon's legendary fall salmon fishing. You'll fish from either his 25-foot Alumaweld Super Vee sled or his 18-foot Clackacraft drift boat, depending on which technique and water will give you the best shot at hooking into that fish of a lifetime.
Your day starts early because that's when the salmon are most active and the bite is hottest. Logan will pick the perfect water based on current conditions – maybe it's the tidal influence of the Yaquina, the productive runs of the Alsea, or the big-fish potential of the Columbia. If you're heading out in the sled, you'll be trolling through deeper water where the big Chinook love to cruise. The drift boat means we're working the shallower runs and holes where bobber fishing, back bouncing, and twitching jigs can be absolutely deadly. Logan reads water like a book and knows exactly where to position you for the best chance at a hookup. The boat's equipped with all the electronics you need – fish finders, GPS, and radio – so you're always fishing smart. Don't worry about bringing tackle; everything from rods and reels to bait and lures is provided. Logan's got the gear dialed in for these specific runs and knows what the fish are biting on any given day.
The beauty of fishing with Logan is that he'll adapt his approach based on what's working. In the sled, you'll be trolling with downriggers, pulling plugs and spinners through the strike zone where salmon are holding. It's a methodical approach that covers water and puts your bait right in front of feeding fish. The drift boat opens up a whole different world of techniques. Bobber fishing lets you present bait naturally in the current, while back bouncing keeps your offering dancing along the bottom where salmon pick up spawning cues. Twitching jigs is pure artistry – it's all about that subtle rod tip action that makes a jig look like an injured baitfish. Logan will coach you through each technique, showing you how to read your rod tip, when to set the hook, and how to play a fish properly in current. The gear is all top-shelf stuff – sensitive rods that telegraph every bump, smooth reels with solid drag systems, and terminal tackle that's proven on these waters. Each river fishes differently, and Logan knows the nuances that separate a good day from a great one.
Fall Chinook salmon are the kings of Oregon rivers, and for good reason. These fish have spent years in the ocean putting on size and strength before returning to their natal streams. A typical fall Chinook will run anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds, with the occasional giant pushing 50-plus. They're built like torpedoes – broad shoulders, deep bodies, and enough power to strip line like you wouldn't believe. The best fishing usually runs from late August through October, when fresh fish are pushing in with each tide and rain freshet. What makes Chinook so special is their fighting ability combined with their table fare. The meat is rich, oily, and perfect for the grill or smoker. Coho salmon might be smaller, typically running 6 to 15 pounds, but pound-for-pound they're some of the scrappiest fish you'll ever hook. These silver rockets love to jump, and a hot Coho will clear the water multiple times during a fight. They're incredibly acrobatic and have this habit of making long runs that'll have your drag singing. Coho are also fantastic eating – their meat is a bit leaner than Chinook but incredibly flavorful. The fall run usually peaks in September and October, overlapping perfectly with the Chinook run for some incredible mixed-bag fishing.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest fishing, and Oregon's fall run produces some absolute monsters. These fish spend 3 to 7 years in the ocean, and by the time they return to freshwater, they're powerful, determined, and built for battle. Fall Chinook are known for their incredible strength and endurance – they'll take long, powerful runs that test your tackle and your patience. The fish are at their prime condition when they first enter freshwater, bright silver with that distinctive black-spotted tail. They feed aggressively on their way upstream, making them prime targets for trolled lures and properly presented baits. The size variation keeps things exciting – you might hook into a smaller jack salmon one cast and a 30-pound bruiser the next.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight. Also called silver salmon for their brilliant chrome flanks, these fish are pure athletes. They're fast, aggressive, and absolutely love to jump when hooked. A Coho will often leap completely clear of the water within seconds of being hooked, shaking its head violently to throw the hook. They're also speed demons, capable of incredibly fast runs that'll surprise you even if you think you're ready. Fall Coho are transitioning from their ocean feeding mode to their spawning behavior, which means they can be both aggressive and unpredictable. They respond well to flashy lures, bright jigs, and properly drifted baits. The meat quality is outstanding – firm, flavorful, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Fall salmon fishing in
Logan Ellis, known as Chicken Little, runs two solid rigs perfect for Oregon's fall salmon runs. His 25' Alumaweld Super Vee sled cuts through bigger water like the Columbia and Willamette, equipped with everything you need for serious trolling - fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit productive spots, and wireless trolling motor for precise boat control when working structure. The 18' Clackacraft drift boat handles intimate river work on the Siletz and Alsea, built for floating and anchoring while you work jigs, bounce bait, or fish under bobbers in prime salmon holes. Both boats carry ice boxes to keep your catch fresh, VHF radios for safety, and all the tackle Logan's dialed in for fall Chinook and Coho. Whether you're pulling gear in deep water or presenting baits in current breaks, these rigs put you in position to connect with Oregon's legendary salmon runs during peak season.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, or "Kings," are the heavyweights of Oregon rivers - these silver-sided beauties with black-spotted backs regularly hit 15-30 pounds and fight like they mean it. Fall runs bring them into our rivers from the Pacific, where they stage in deeper holes and current seams before heading to spawning grounds. Kings have that deep orange-red meat that makes them such prized table fare. They're light-sensitive fish, so they hug the bottom during bright days, which is why we use weighted gear and target early morning or evening bites. My go-to trick for stubborn Kings is switching to a smaller presentation when the bite gets tough - sometimes a 4-inch plug out-fishes the 6-inch every time. Whether we're trolling the Columbia or drift fishing the Siletz, these fish deliver the kind of rod-bending action that keeps folks coming back year after year.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are the acrobats of our Oregon rivers - silver rockets that'll jump clean out of the water and put on a show you won't forget. These fish typically run 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and that signature orange-red meat. Fall brings them into the Siletz, Alsea, and other coastal rivers where they stack up in deeper pools and holding water before spawning. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature and aerial displays when hooked. They're scrappy fighters that'll test your drag and keep you on your toes. I've found that bright colors work magic on these fish - chartreuse and pink jigs or spinners really trigger strikes. The key trick is working your jig with a subtle twitch in the holding water; don't overdo it, just enough movement to catch their eye. Fresh from the ocean, these silvers are pure energy and make for some of the best eating you'll find.
Salem, OR