Full Day Drift Boat Salmon Fishing in Altmar
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eighthour beginnerfriendly drift boat trip targeting salmon speciesExpert guide provides gear and patient instruction for newcomersPeaceful waters away from crowded shorelines on Salmon River
Looking to hook your first salmon but tired of fighting crowds along the bank? This 8-hour drift boat trip with guide Marcus McGivney gets you away from the elbow-to-elbow chaos and into prime salmon water on the legendary Salmon River. Perfect for beginners who want to learn proper techniques without the pressure, this top-rated experience targets three different salmon species while you float peacefully downstream in a spacious 17ft drift boat. Marcus provides all the gear and knowledge you need—just bring your waders and get ready for a patient, personalized introduction to one of New York's best fisheries.
Your day starts at Brown's Campground in Altmar, where Marcus will meet you bright and early to go over the game plan. The Salmon River runs strong and clear through this stretch, offering consistent flows and structure that salmon love during their spawning runs. You'll spend the entire day drifting through different pools and runs, each offering unique opportunities to present your bait naturally. Marcus knows every rock, eddy, and holding spot along this water, so you'll hit the productive zones while beginners on shore struggle to find fish. The 17ft drift boat gives you plenty of room to move around, practice your casting, and handle fish properly when they hit. Since this trip maxes out at just one guest, you get Marcus's full attention—no sharing time or competing for the best spots.
Drift boat fishing is all about presentation and boat control, which is exactly why having an experienced guide like Marcus makes such a difference. You'll learn to read the water, identify salmon holding lies, and present your offering at just the right depth and speed. Marcus uses a combination of traditional drift fishing methods—think spawn bags, skein, and beads—along with modern techniques that consistently produce fish. The boat allows him to position you perfectly for each drift, holding in the current just long enough to get your bait through the strike zone. You'll practice different rod angles, learn to feel bottom contact, and understand how to detect those subtle salmon takes that beginners often miss. All rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait come included, so you can focus entirely on learning proper technique rather than worrying about gear.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweights of the Salmon River, with mature fish pushing 20-30 pounds and occasionally much larger. These powerful fish stage in deeper pools before moving up to spawn, making them perfect targets for drift boat presentations. Chinooks hit hard and fight dirty, using their bulk and the current to test your drag system. Fall runs peak from September through November, when fresh chrome fish pour in from Lake Ontario. What makes hooking a King so special is that raw power—once you feel that first head shake and see your rod doubled over, you'll understand why salmon fishing becomes an obsession.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, typically running 8-15 pounds, but they make up for it with pure athleticism. These silver rockets love to jump, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. Cohos are aggressive feeders and will readily take a variety of presentations, making them ideal for beginners learning to read strikes. They arrive slightly earlier than Chinooks, with prime fishing starting in late August and running through October. Landing a fresh Coho on light tackle is one of the most fun fights you'll experience in freshwater—they just don't quit.
Atlantic Salmon represent something truly special on the Salmon River. These fish are stocked annually but don't reproduce naturally here, making every encounter feel unique. Atlantics are known for their spectacular aerial displays and long, sustained runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. They're often the most finicky of the three species, requiring precise presentations and lighter tackle. Most Atlantics in the system run 15-25 pounds, and their silver flanks and distinctive spots make them easy to identify. Catching an Atlantic feels like connecting with old-school salmon fishing traditions—these are the fish that built the sport's reputation for elegance and challenge.
This beginner-friendly drift boat experience offers everything you need for a successful introduction to salmon fishing without the typical learning curve frustrations. Marcus's patient teaching style, combined with the Salmon River's world-class fishery, creates the perfect environment for building confidence and skills that will serve you for years. You'll leave understanding how to read salmon water, present baits naturally, and fight these powerful fish properly. The intimate one-on-one format means you progress at your own pace while accessing prime fishing spots that shore anglers simply can't reach. Whether you're looking to start a new passion or finally experience what salmon fishing is all about, this full-day adventure delivers the knowledge and excitement that keeps anglers coming back to Altmar season after season.
This 17-foot Starweld drift boat is your ticket to prime salmon water on the Salmon River. Built in 2019 with a solid aluminum hull, she's designed to handle the river's flows while keeping you stable for those crucial hook-sets. The 90HP Yamaha provides plenty of power to position you in the best fishing spots and navigate back upstream when needed. What makes this setup perfect for beginners is the spacious casting deck and low profile design - you'll have room to work your rod without feeling cramped or unstable. The boat easily handles the river's varying conditions, from gentle pools where salmon rest to faster runs where they're actively moving. You'll skip the crowded bank fishing spots and access those productive deeper holes that are only reachable by boat. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out tackle and land fish without getting tangled up with your fishing partner.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are the marathon runners of the salmon family - unlike their Pacific cousins, they can survive spawning and return to the ocean multiple times. These fish average 8-12 pounds with that classic silver body that turns bronze as they move into freshwater. They're known for their aerial acrobatics when hooked, often jumping clear out of the water. What's unique about Atlantics is their longer lifespan, living 4-6 years, which gives them time to grow and develop serious strength. Fall through early winter is when they're most active in our area. The key with these fish is matching your fly color to water conditions - darker patterns on cloudy days work best. Their meat has that premium salmon flavor that makes them prized table fare.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKnown as King Salmon for good reason - these are the giants of the salmon world, often hitting 15-30 pounds in our waters. You'll find them holding in deeper pools and runs, especially early morning and evening when they're most active. Chinooks have that distinctive black mouth and spotted tail that sets them apart from Cohos. What makes them special is that incredible fight combined with some of the best eating you'll find. Their rich, orange-pink meat is restaurant quality. Fall runs from September through November are prime time here on the Salmon River. One tip that works well: use heavier weights to get your bait down to where they're sitting near bottom - they don't like coming up much during daylight hours.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCohos earn their nickname "silver salmon" with that bright chrome finish, but don't let their smaller 8-12 pound average fool you - these fish are pure dynamite. They're famous for jumping up to 6 feet vertically, making them one of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook. Look for them in the calmer water under cover and debris where they like to stage. What really sets Cohos apart is their aggressive nature and willingness to hit lures, making them perfect for beginners. Their bright orange-red meat rivals any salmon for taste. September and October are peak months here. My go-to trick is using bright patterns like chartreuse or pink - Cohos seem drawn to flashy colors, especially when the water's a bit off-color after rain.
Salmon River