Nehalem Bay Salmon Fishing Guide for Skilled Anglers
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday salmon fishing on Tillamook and Nehalem riversExpert guide provides drift boat and all fishing equipmentSmall groups of three guests for personalized fishing experience
Looking for serious salmon action on some of Oregon's most productive waters? Coleman's Guide Service offers a top-rated full-day fishing experience targeting prime salmon runs in the Tillamook and Nehalem Bay area. This isn't your typical tourist trip – we're talking about 8 to 10 hours of focused fishing with an experienced local guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. With space for just three anglers, you'll get the personal attention and prime boat positioning that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish. Early morning starts at 5 or 6 AM put you right in the sweet spot when salmon are most active, and your guide handles all the heavy lifting with a fully equipped drift boat and professional-grade tackle.
This is a guide service that caters to anglers who know their way around a rod and reel. Your day starts before sunrise, meeting your guide at the launch with nothing but your Oregon fishing license, salmon tag, and whatever snacks and drinks you'll need for the long haul. The Nehalem and Tillamook river systems offer some of the most consistent salmon fishing on the Oregon coast, especially during peak runs when fresh fish are pushing upstream. You'll be fishing from a stable drift boat that can handle the varying water conditions these rivers throw at you – from deeper pools where salmon stage to faster runs where they're on the move. The intimate group size means you're not fighting for the best water or waiting your turn to work productive holds. Your guide reads the water constantly, positioning the boat to give everyone clean drifts through the most promising spots while sharing insights about current conditions, recent catches, and what's working best on any given day.
Coleman's guides rely on three time-tested methods that consistently produce results on these waters: backdown, bottom drifting, and side drifting. Backdown involves working upstream while letting your bait or lure drift naturally downstream – perfect for covering water methodically and keeping your presentation in the strike zone longer. Bottom drifting gets your offering right down where salmon are holding near the riverbed, using just enough weight to maintain contact without getting hung up on the rocky substrate. Side drifting allows the guide to control boat position while you work your gear at different depths and speeds, adjusting to what the fish want on that particular day. All tackle is provided, from sturdy rods capable of handling big chinook to the terminal tackle that's been proven effective on these specific river systems. Your guide carries a selection of lures, baits, and weights suited to current water conditions, tides, and recent fishing reports. The drift boat setup allows for quick repositioning when fish are located, and the experienced guide knows exactly how to approach each productive area without spooking fish or creating tangles between multiple lines.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of Pacific Northwest fishing, and the Nehalem Bay system hosts some impressive runs throughout the season. These powerful fish, often called kings, can exceed 30 pounds and provide battles that test both your tackle and your stamina. Peak chinook fishing typically runs from late spring through early fall, with fresh ocean-bright fish entering the system on incoming tides. What makes targeting chinook so exciting here is their willingness to hit both bait and lures, giving skilled anglers multiple approaches to dial in the bite. The rocky structure and deeper pools of these rivers provide perfect ambush points where mature chinook stage before making their spawning runs upstream.
Coho salmon, known locally as silvers, bring a different kind of excitement to your day on the water. These acrobatic fighters rarely exceed 15 pounds but make up for size with pure athleticism – expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll have your drag screaming. Coho are incredibly aggressive when fresh from the ocean, often striking lures with authority that telegraphs immediately up your rod. They typically arrive in good numbers from late summer into fall, and their willingness to chase moving presentations makes them a favorite target when you want consistent action. The Nehalem system's mix of deeper holes and faster water creates ideal habitat for coho to stage and feed before heading upstream.
Steelhead trout represent the ultimate challenge for many Pacific Northwest anglers – these sea-run rainbows combine size, strength, and intelligence in ways that humble even experienced fishermen. Winter steelhead runs can produce fish exceeding 15 pounds, while summer runs offer slightly smaller but incredibly athletic fish that fight with the fury you'd expect from wild trout on steroids. Steelhead are notorious for their selective feeding habits and ability to ignore perfectly presented offerings, making each hookup feel like a genuine achievement. The reward comes in their spectacular aerial displays and sustained runs that can take you well into your backing. Peak steelhead fishing varies by run timing, but having knowledgeable local guidance makes all the difference in connecting with these wary fish.
Coleman's Guide Service has built a reputation among serious salmon anglers who want results, not just a boat ride. The combination of experienced guides, productive waters, and small group sizes creates exactly the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and make sure your schedule is locked in before committing. These skilled-angler trips fill up quickly during peak salmon runs, especially when word gets out about hot fishing. Whether you're targeting hard-fighting chinook, acrobatic coho, or the ultimate prize of a chrome-bright steelhead, this full-day adventure puts you in position to make it happen on some of Oregon's most productive salmon waters.
The 18-foot Clackamas driftboat cuts through Oregon's salmon waters with the quiet precision serious anglers demand. Built specifically for these coastal rivers, this sturdy vessel handles the currents around Tillamook and Nehalem like it was born here. Three anglers fit comfortably with room to work their lines without crowding each other. The boat's shallow draft lets your guide navigate those prime salmon holes and back eddies where the big chinook hold. No motor noise to spook fish – just the gentle sound of oars and water as you drift the productive stretches. Perfect setup for backtrolling plugs or drifting bait through the deeper pools where salmon stage up.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights of our Oregon rivers, averaging 12-20 pounds with some monsters pushing 30+. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs love deep holes and current breaks, especially around fallen timber and undercut banks. They're sensitive to light, so they hug the bottom during bright days. Fall runs from September through November offer the best action, with fish fresh from the ocean and full of fight. What makes targeting them special is that raw power - a hooked king will test your drag and make long runs that'll get your heart pumping. The rich, orange-pink meat is top-shelf table fare too. My go-to tip: use plenty of weight to get your bait down where they're holding, and don't be afraid to fish the deepest, slowest water you can find.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure athletes - averaging 8-12 pounds of muscle that can jump 6 feet straight up when hooked. These acrobatic fighters prefer the calmer water near structure like log jams and debris piles, though they'll cruise the main channels too. Their silver bodies with dark blue-green backs make them easy to spot when they're rolling. Peak season runs September through early November when they're staging before spawning. What guests love most is the aerial show - cohos will jump, twist, and shake like no other salmon. They're also fantastic eating with bright orange meat. The key to success is staying mobile and working different water types. I always tell clients to keep their rod tip low and be ready for that first explosive jump - more cohos are lost in the first ten seconds than any other time.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ghosts of our coastal rivers - chrome-bright ocean-run rainbows that average 24 inches and 6-8 pounds, though 15+ pounders aren't uncommon. These sea-run trout seek cover around boulders, fallen trees, and deep pools with good current flow. Unlike salmon, they can survive spawning and return to the ocean multiple times. Winter runs from December through March provide the most consistent fishing in higher water. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll make blistering runs, jump repeatedly, and fight until you think your arm might fall off. The challenge and that incredible fight keeps anglers coming back. Here's what I've learned after years on these waters: focus on the seams where fast water meets slow, and don't strike too hard on the take - let them hook themselves.
Oregon