Full Day Land Locked Coho Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday guided lake fishing for landlocked Coho and SteelheadBeginnerfriendly trip with all gear and expert instruction providedSeasonal availability December through July on scenic Riffe Lake
Captain Jim Miller knows Riffe Lake like the back of his hand, and he's ready to share the secrets of this prime Washington fishing spot with you. Located just east of Toledo, this 23-mile-long reservoir holds some of the best landlocked Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout fishing you'll find anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you've never held a rod before or just want a relaxed day with an expert guide, this 8-hour trip delivers exactly what you're looking for. Jim provides all the tackle, shares his local knowledge, and makes sure you understand what's happening every step of the way. Running from December through July, this seasonal fishery hits its sweet spots when other lakes are still locked up or too crowded with summer traffic.
Your day starts early with Captain Jim, who'll have the boat rigged and ready before you arrive. Riffe Lake sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by old-growth forest, giving you that classic Washington wilderness feel without the hassle of a long drive into the backcountry. The lake's unique structure - created by the Mossyrock Dam - creates perfect habitat for both Coho and Steelhead to thrive year-round. Jim runs a comfortable boat that handles the lake's conditions easily, and with just two anglers max, you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and some snacks - Jim's got rods, reels, tackle, and all the technical stuff covered. He'll explain his approach as you go, pointing out why certain spots produce fish and how the lake's seasonal patterns affect where the fish hold. This isn't a cattle-boat operation where you're just another paying customer - it's a genuine learning experience with one of the area's most experienced guides.
Jim focuses on proven lake trolling methods that consistently put fish in the boat throughout the season. You'll be pulling flashers and spoons behind downriggers, covering different depths until you locate active fish. The beauty of this setup is that it works for beginners - once Jim gets your gear dialed in, the fish basically hook themselves when they strike. He'll teach you how to read the electronics, recognize productive water, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. Riffe Lake's thermocline and structure changes throughout the year, so Jim adapts his trolling patterns and depths accordingly. In winter and spring, you might be working shallower zones where the fish are more active, while summer fishing often requires getting down to cooler water. The tackle isn't complicated - medium-action rods with quality reels spooled with 12-15 pound test line, but Jim knows exactly which colors and sizes produce on any given day. He'll show you how to set the downriggers, explain why certain lure combinations work better in different conditions, and help you develop the feel for detecting strikes and playing fish properly.
Landlocked Coho Salmon are the main attraction here, and these fish will absolutely make your day. Unlike their ocean-going cousins, Riffe Lake's Coho have adapted to living their entire lives in freshwater, developing slightly different feeding patterns and fight characteristics. These silver rockets typically run 14-20 inches and pack serious attitude - when one hits your lure, you'll know it immediately. They're most active during the cooler months from December through early summer, which is exactly when Jim runs his trips. Coho in Riffe Lake feed heavily on smaller fish and aquatic insects, making them perfect targets for the flasher-and-spoon combinations that Jim specializes in. The fight is what gets people addicted - multiple jumps, screaming runs, and enough power to test your drag system. Many anglers say hooking their first landlocked Coho spoiled them for other types of fishing.
Steelhead Trout add another dimension to your day on Riffe Lake, and these fish are absolute bulldogs compared to the acrobatic Coho. Running anywhere from 16-24 inches, with some real pigs pushing even bigger, Steelhead in this system are known for their incredible strength and endurance. They don't jump as much as Coho, but they'll take you on long, powerful runs that test your patience and technique. Riffe Lake's Steelhead stay active throughout the fishing season, though they tend to be most cooperative during overcast conditions and in deeper water during bright days. These fish have been feeding on the lake's abundant forage base for years, so they're thick-bodied and fight harder than most river Steelhead. Jim's trolling approach is perfect for covering the water these fish prefer, and his experience reading the lake's seasonal patterns means you'll be fishing where the Steelhead actually are, not just where they might be.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience where you're just along for the ride - Captain Jim Miller's approach to guiding means you'll actually learn something while catching fish. With the season running December through July, you've got plenty of opportunities to experience Riffe Lake at its best. The intimate 2-angler maximum ensures you get real instruction and hands-on experience, not just a ride around the lake. Whether you're looking to get into fishing for the first time or want to learn lake trolling techniques from someone who's mastered this specific fishery, this trip delivers genuine value. Jim's local knowledge of Riffe Lake's seasonal patterns, combined with quality gear and patient instruction, gives you the best possible shot at success. Don't wait until the season's almost over - the best dates fill up fast, especially during prime fishing periods when both Coho and Steelhead are most active.
Your ride for the day is a well-equipped motorboat designed specifically for lake fishing success on Riffe Lake. This comfortable vessel seats two anglers and comes loaded with everything you need to target those landlocked Coho and Steelhead. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet as you position for the perfect cast, while the GPS navigation system helps Captain Jim find the most productive fishing spots. The real game-changer is the fish finder – it'll show you exactly where the salmon are holding, taking the guesswork out of your fishing strategy. All your rods, tackle, and fishing gear are already on board, so you can focus on learning techniques and landing fish rather than worrying about equipment. The boat's stable platform gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around safely during your 8-hour adventure on Washington's productive waters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchThese landlocked coho are scrappy fighters that'll give you a real workout. Also called silver salmon, they typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in Riffe Lake. What makes them special is their acrobatic nature - they can jump up to 6 feet when hooked, so keep that rod tip up! You'll find them holding in deeper water around submerged structure and debris. December through July is prime time when water temps are cooler. Their dark blue-green backs and silver sides make them easy to identify. The meat has that bright orange color and tastes fantastic. My go-to tip: use bright lures like chartreuse or pink jigs with long tails - the movement drives them crazy. These fish are pure fun on lighter tackle.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ocean-going cousins of rainbow trout, though these Riffe Lake fish are landlocked. They're built like torpedoes - more streamlined and silvery than regular rainbows, averaging 24 inches but capable of much larger sizes. These fish use wood cover, boulders, and vegetation as protection, so we'll target those areas. They're opportunistic feeders that'll hit everything from small fish to insects. December through July gives us the best action when they're most active. What makes steelhead special is their incredible fight - they're strong, fast, and stubborn. The key here is patience and lighter presentations. Try drifting with natural baits or small spoons near structure. Keep your drag smooth because they'll make long runs.
Washington