Private Steelhead Fishing Charter – Oregon Rivers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour steelhead fishing on three premier Oregon riversDrift boat includes onboard heaters and freshly prepared hot lunchExpert guide provides all gear and local knowledge for maximum success
There's something special about drifting Oregon's legendary steelhead waters with a guide who knows every bend, riffle, and holding spot like the back of his hand. Josh Sutch Guide Service offers private 8-hour steelhead charters on the North Umpqua, South Umpqua, and Coquille Rivers – three of the Pacific Northwest's top-rated steelhead destinations. This isn't your typical crowded fishing trip. You'll have the drift boat to yourself (plus one other angler), expert guidance, and all the gear you need to connect with some of Oregon's most sought-after fish. Winter steelhead fishing can be tough on the body, but Josh keeps you comfortable with onboard heaters and serves up a hot lunch that'll keep you energized for the afternoon bite.
Your day starts early – that's when steelhead are most active, especially during the winter months. Josh picks his river based on current conditions, water levels, and where the fish are moving. The North Umpqua is famous for its crystal-clear water and technical fishing, while the South Umpqua offers more diverse water types and consistent runs. The Coquille River rounds out your options with excellent winter steelhead fishing and less pressure from other anglers. You'll spend your time drifting prime steelhead water, anchoring up in productive holes, and working the kind of spots that most weekend warriors never find. Josh reads the water like a book – he'll position you in the strike zone and coach you through every cast, drift, and hookset. Between the scenery and the anticipation of that telltale steelhead tug, eight hours flies by faster than you'd think.
Drift boat fishing is the gold standard for Oregon steelhead, and Josh's setup is dialed in for success. You'll be fishing from a stable, spacious drift boat that lets him control your speed and positioning perfectly. The technique varies based on conditions – some days you'll be swinging flies through classic steelhead runs, other days you'll be bouncing bait or lures along the bottom where fish are holding tight. Josh provides all the rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait you'll need, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. The onboard heaters are a game-changer during cold snaps – you can actually feel your fingers while you're fishing, which makes a huge difference when you need to set the hook. Winter steelhead fishing requires patience and persistence, but when you connect with a fresh chrome steelhead, all those hours of casting and drifting become worth it in an instant.
Steelhead trout are the main event here, and for good reason. Oregon's winter steelhead are some of the strongest, most beautiful fish you'll ever tangle with. These sea-run rainbow trout spend years in the ocean building muscle and attitude before returning to their natal rivers to spawn. Winter steelhead typically run 6-15 pounds, with the occasional hog pushing 20-plus. They're chrome-bright when they first enter the river, and they fight like fish twice their size. Peak season runs from December through March, when fresh fish are pushing up from the ocean. What makes steelhead so addictive is their unpredictability – they might grab your offering on the first cast of the day, or they might make you work for hours before one decides to bite.
Chinook salmon are another world-class target, especially during fall runs. These kings can weigh anywhere from 15-40 pounds, and they'll test every knot in your tackle box. Fall chinook are aggressive feeders, and when you hook one in the current of the Umpqua or Coquille, you're in for a battle. Josh times these trips perfectly with the runs, usually September through November when fresh salmon are moving upriver.
Don't overlook the shad – these underrated fighters show up in massive numbers during late spring and early summer. American shad might only weigh 2-4 pounds, but they're scrappy as hell and great on light tackle. When the shad runs are hot, you can catch dozens in a day. Smallmouth bass and striped bass round out the action, offering consistent fishing when the anadromous runs slow down. Smallies love the rocky structure of these rivers, while stripers provide that saltwater-style power in freshwater.
Josh's steelhead charters book up fast, especially during prime winter months when the fishing is best. This is a customer favorite trip for serious anglers who want to fish Oregon's renowned steelhead waters without the learning curve. You're getting local river knowledge that takes years to develop, plus the comfort and safety of a professional guide operation. The 2-angler capacity keeps things personal and maximizes your fishing time. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. But honestly, if you're serious about steelhead fishing in Oregon, this is the kind of trip that'll spoil you for anything else. Book your winter steelhead adventure with Josh Sutch Guide Service and find out why these rivers have such a legendary reputation among Pacific Northwest anglers.
This restored 2023 Willie Boats jet boat cuts through Oregon's legendary steelhead waters with authority. At 22 feet and powered by a 240HP Mercury engine, she'll get you to the productive holes on the Umpqua and Coquille Rivers quickly and safely. The shallow-draft jet drive navigates rocky river sections where steelhead hold, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure and deeper pools. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles Oregon's winter conditions while keeping you comfortable during long drift sessions. With room for your gear and space to fight fish properly, she's designed for productive days chasing chrome-bright steelhead through some of the Pacific Northwest's most productive waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of the salmon world, averaging 15-25 pounds but capable of much more in our Oregon waters. These silver-sided fish with blue-green backs and black-spotted fins prefer deeper water, especially early morning and evening when light is low. They're light-sensitive and typically hold near the bottom around structure and current breaks. Fall runs are prime time, usually September through November. What draws anglers to kings is their raw power - these fish will strip line and test every knot you tied. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf table fare, rich in oils and perfect for smoking. They're aggressive feeders but can be finicky about presentation. Local trick: get your offering down deep using weighted gear and work it through the strike zone slowly. Kings often hit softly at first, so stay alert for that subtle tap before they realize they're hooked.
Alosa SapidissimaAmerican shad are great targets when they're running upriver to spawn, typically hitting our waters from April through May. These silvery fish with dark shoulder spots usually run 18-24 inches and travel in schools, making for steady action when you find them. They stick close to shore to avoid the current, so we focus our drifts within 30 feet of the bank. What makes shad special is their firm, flaky meat and prized roe - both are considered delicacies. They fight harder than you'd expect for their size and will test your drag on light tackle. Here's a local tip: use small bright flies with red heads in yellow or white. Shad have excellent eyesight, so keep your leader light and your presentation natural. The bite usually peaks during the warmer parts of the day when water temps climb.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fighters in fresh water. These bronze-colored fish with dark vertical bars typically run 12-18 inches and prefer rocky bottoms in clear water. They love structure - fallen trees, boulder fields, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey like crayfish and small fish. Spring and fall are prime times when they're active in shallow water during warm, bright days. Summer pushes them deeper into cooler water. What makes smallmouth special is their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude once hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Early morning and evening produce the best action. Here's a tip from years on the water: try a weightless soft plastic rigged weedless and work it slow around cover. Their red eyes help them see well, so natural presentations work best.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate river fish - sea-run rainbows that return to spawn with ocean-gained strength and size. These chrome-bright fighters average 24 inches but can stretch past 30, and they'll use every inch of river to test your skills. They hold in deeper pools, behind boulders, and along current seams in cold, clear water. Winter runs peak from November through March in our Oregon rivers, which is why we run heated boats. What makes steelhead legendary is their explosive runs and aerial jumps - they're pure adrenaline on the end of your line. The meat is outstanding, with firm pink flesh perfect for the grill. Here's the key: dead-drift your presentation naturally through likely holding water. Steelhead are spooky, so keep a low profile and let the current do the work. Patience pays off with these fish.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are powerful fighters that average 20-40 pounds in our waters, though they can push much bigger. These silver fish with distinctive black stripes are structure-oriented, holding around rocky areas, drop-offs, and current breaks in both salt and fresh water. They're not particularly fast but they're strong, making them great on medium tackle. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, especially early morning and evening when they move shallow to feed. What guests love about stripers is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll test your drag and your patience. The meat is excellent eating with a sweet, mild flavor. Local tip: focus on moving water near structure and don't be afraid to fish the edges of current seams. They often hold just out of the main flow, waiting to ambush baitfish getting swept past.
Coos Bay