Raft Fishing for Salmon and Steelhead
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target salmon, steelhead, and trout on three premier Oregon rivers.Fish from a 14foot raft on North Santiam, Nestucca, and Siletz.Small group experience with maximum two guests per trip.
Picture yourself floating down some of Oregon's most productive salmon and steelhead waters while casting from a comfortable 14-foot raft. That's exactly what you'll get with Matt Halseth Guide Service on the North Santiam, Nestucca, and Siletz Rivers. This isn't your typical bank fishing – we're talking about accessing prime holding water that shore anglers can only dream about. You'll drift through runs where big chinook stack up during their spawning journey and work the deeper pools where steelhead love to sulk. With just two anglers per trip, you get personalized instruction and plenty of elbow room to work your technique.
These Oregon rivers offer some of the best drift fishing opportunities on the West Coast, and our RecreTec raft puts you right in the sweet spot. We'll launch early and work our way downstream, hitting the honey holes where fish congregate during different times of day. The North Santiam gives us access to both wild and hatchery runs, while the Nestucca and Siletz are known for their aggressive native steelhead and healthy salmon populations. You'll be casting traditional drift rigs, swinging flies, or pulling plugs depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The raft allows us to cover miles of water in a single day, stopping at productive runs and moving on when the bite slows down. Between the stunning old-growth forests and the chance at hooking into a 30-pound chinook, this top-rated experience keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Raft fishing opens up a whole different playbook compared to wading or bank fishing. We'll be working the water column from top to bottom, adjusting our presentation based on water levels, clarity, and fish behavior. Our go-to methods include bouncing pencil lead rigs with fresh roe or sand shrimp through the deeper slots, swinging spoons and spinners through the tail-outs, and working diving plugs in the slower pools. The beauty of fishing from a raft is the ability to control your drift speed and angle – we can hold in prime water longer or speed up through unproductive stretches. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own setup if you have favorites. We run barbless hooks and follow all state regulations for wild fish protection. The raft setup also means we can carry multiple rod configurations, so switching from bait fishing to hardware is quick and easy when conditions change.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these rivers, literally and figuratively. These bruisers can push 40 pounds during peak runs, typically showing up in good numbers from late August through October. They're absolute freight trains when hooked, making long runs downstream and testing every knot in your setup. What makes chinook special here is their incredible strength combined with the river's swift current – you're fighting both the fish and the water. These fish are fresh from the ocean, still bright silver and full of fight.
Steelhead Trout are why many anglers become obsessed with Pacific Northwest fishing. These sea-run rainbows average 6-12 pounds but pack the punch of much larger fish. Winter steelhead arrive from December through March, while summer runs peak from June through September. They're notorious for their acrobatic fights, clearing the water multiple times and making screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. The Nestucca and Siletz are particularly known for their wild steelhead populations, with fish that have never seen a hatchery and fight like their lives depend on it.
Rainbow Trout in these systems benefit from the rich marine nutrients brought upstream by spawning salmon. They typically run 12-16 inches but can surprise you with 20-inch specimens, especially in the deeper pools below salmon redds. These resident rainbows are chunky and colorful, feeding heavily during salmon spawning season when the buffet of loose eggs drifts downstream. They're scrappy fighters that make the most of every inch of river.
Cutthroat Trout are the native gems of Oregon's coastal streams. These beautiful fish with their distinctive red throat slashes typically range from 10-14 inches, though sea-run cutthroat can reach 18 inches or more. They're opportunistic feeders with a reputation for hitting just about anything that looks edible. Cutthroat are especially active during salmon spawning season and provide consistent action when the larger fish are being finicky. Their subtle coloration and aggressive nature make them a customer favorite for both novice and experienced anglers.
Oregon's renowned salmon and steelhead runs won't wait around, and neither should you. These world-class fisheries produce some of the best angling on the Pacific Coast, but timing is everything. Fall chinook runs can be spectacular but short-lived, while steelhead seasons offer longer windows but still have peak periods you don't want to miss. With our intimate two-angler capacity, spots fill up fast during prime time. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add Oregon salmon and steelhead to your bucket list or someone ready to experience what drift boat fishing is all about, this trip delivers the goods. Contact Matt Halseth Guide Service today and secure your dates for what could be the best fishing trip of your season.
Our 2025 RecreTec 14' raft is built for serious anglers targeting salmon and steelhead on Oregon's prime fishing waters. This sturdy two-person raft handles the varied conditions of the North Santiam, Nestucca, and Siletz rivers with ease, giving you stable casting platforms and smooth drifts through productive runs and pools. The raft's design keeps you positioned perfectly for presenting flies and lures to holding fish while navigating the mix of gentle currents and livelier water these rivers are known for. Whether you're working the deeper holes for winter steelhead or fishing the shallower riffles during salmon runs, this raft gets you into water that's tough to reach from shore. Built tough enough for rocky river bottoms and designed with fishing in mind, it's your ticket to some of Oregon's best salmon and steelhead action.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of our river system, averaging 15-25 pounds with some bruisers pushing 30+. These silver-backed giants with black-spotted tails prefer deeper water and current breaks where they can rest during their spawning journey. Fall runs from September through November offer prime fishing when salmon are fresh from the ocean. What draws anglers is the pure power - a hooked king will peel line and test your drag system like nothing else. Their reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating too. Chinooks are light-shy, so they often hold deep during bright conditions. They're aggressive but selective, hitting larger presentations that get their attention. My advice: fish early morning or late evening, get your bait down deep, and don't be afraid to use substantial tackle - these fish will humble light gear quickly.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiCutthroats in our Oregon waters typically run 10-14 inches, though some reach 18+. The telltale red slash under their jaw makes them unmistakable. They prefer clean, cold water with rocky bottoms and plenty of cover - think undercut banks, log jams, and vegetated areas. Spring and early summer fishing is prime when insect activity peaks. Cutthroats are willing biters and put up a solid fight, plus they're native fish with real character. They're opportunistic feeders that love surface action during hatches. What's cool is how they'll hold in pockets other trout ignore - shallow riffles, tight against structure, anywhere with good cover. The trick with cutts is being stealthy - they spook easier than rainbows. Approach quietly and make accurate casts to specific holding spots rather than blind fishing.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 8-16 inches in these Oregon rivers, with some reaching 20+ inches. They love cold, clean water around 55-65°F and hang out near cover like boulders, fallen trees, and deeper pools. You'll find them in both fast runs and slower eddies. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during evening hatches. What makes rainbows special is their scrappy fight - they'll jump and run hard for their size. The pink stripe along their silver sides makes them easy to spot, and they taste great on the grill. These fish are opportunistic feeders, hitting everything from nymphs to dry flies. Pro tip: when nymphing, keep your flies just off the bottom and watch for subtle strikes - rainbows often take flies softly in moving water.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are sea-run rainbows that return to our rivers much larger and stronger - typically 24-30 inches and 6-12 pounds. They're silver bullets built for power after years in the ocean. Look for them in deeper holes, behind boulders, and at the head of pools where current breaks. Winter runs peak December through March, while summer fish show up June through October. What sets steelhead apart is their raw strength and aerial displays - they'll test every knot and make multiple runs. The chrome-bright coloring and incredible stamina make them the holy grail for many anglers. They're pickier eaters than resident trout, often following flies before committing. Here's the key: use darker flies on bright days and brighter patterns when it's overcast - steelhead can be moody about color.
Portland, OR