Full Day Umpqua River Salmon and Steelhead Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Chinook salmon and steelhead on legendary Umpqua River waters.Professional guide provides specialized tackle and local knowledge for success.Drift boat accommodates single guest for personalized river fishing experience.
When you're looking for world-class salmon and steelhead fishing in Oregon, the Umpqua River stands out as one of the Pacific Northwest's most productive waterways. Captain Will Merritt knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his full-day guided trips put you right in the thick of the action from September through February. This isn't your typical drift-and-hope fishing trip – we're talking precision angling in a top-rated 17-foot North River drift boat that gets you into the prime holding water where the big fish stack up. Whether you're new to river fishing or you've been chasing chrome for decades, this customer favorite trip delivers the kind of focused fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are most active, and Captain Will picks meeting spots based on current conditions and where the fish are holding. The beauty of fishing with a local guide who knows the Umpqua intimately is that you're never stuck fishing dead water. Water levels change, fish move, and seasonal patterns shift – but Will adjusts the game plan accordingly. The 17-foot North River drift boat is built for this kind of technical river work, giving you the stability and maneuverability to work the deep holes, current breaks, and structural features where salmon and steelhead like to stage. You'll be fishing solo on this trip, which means personalized instruction and no competition for prime water time. The boat handles beautifully in the varied conditions the Umpqua throws at you, from gentle glides to more aggressive runs where the big Chinook like to hold.
River fishing for salmon and steelhead requires a completely different approach than lake fishing or even ocean angling. Captain Will provides all the high-quality tackle specifically chosen for Umpqua River conditions, which means you're fishing with gear that's proven effective on these waters. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll likely be working with techniques like back-bouncing, side-drifting, or pulling plugs through the deeper runs. The key is reading the water and understanding how these fish use structure and current to their advantage. Chinook salmon behave differently than steelhead, and both species change their patterns as the season progresses. Early season fish might be aggressive and willing to chase, while late-season fish can be more selective and require finesse presentations. Will walks you through the techniques as conditions dictate, so you're learning proven methods while actively fishing some of the best water in Oregon.
Chinook salmon are the kings of the Umpqua River system, and for good reason. These powerful fish average 15 to 30 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 40-plus pounds that will test every bit of your tackle and technique. Fall Chinook start showing up in good numbers by September and continue through November, using the deeper holes and current seams to stage before heading to spawning areas. What makes Chinook so exciting to target is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights – they don't jump much, but they use their weight and the current to wage warfare against your drag system. The best fishing often happens during overcast conditions or during the low-light periods of early morning and late afternoon.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to the Umpqua River experience. These silver rockets typically run smaller than Chinook, usually in the 8 to 15-pound range, but they make up for it with acrobatic fights that include multiple jumps and screaming runs. Coho are more willing to chase moving presentations and tend to be more aggressive feeders, making them excellent targets for anglers who want consistent action. They show up in peak numbers from September through early November, and their bright chrome sides make them some of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter in Pacific Northwest waters.
Steelhead trout represent the ultimate technical challenge on the Umpqua, and they're what keep serious river anglers coming back year after year. These sea-run rainbow trout combine the fighting ability of an ocean fish with the wariness of a stream-educated trout. Winter steelhead start trickling in during December and provide excellent fishing through February, with fish ranging from 6 to 20 pounds. What makes steelhead special is their unpredictability – they jump, they run, they bulldoze, and they have a habit of making long, sustained fights that test your patience and skill. Fresh steelhead are chrome bright and incredibly strong, and even a modest 8-pound fish will give you a fight you'll remember for years.
The Umpqua River's salmon and steelhead runs are legendary throughout the Pacific Northwest, and fishing with Captain Will Merritt gives you access to the kind of local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. His 17-foot North River drift boat gets you into productive water that other anglers can't reach, and the personalized attention you get on this single-angler trip means you're maximizing your time with fish-holding water under your rod tip. From September through February, the Umpqua offers some of Oregon's best river fishing opportunities, and booking with One More Guide Service puts you in the hands of a professional who lives and breathes these waters. Don't wait until prime season booking fills up – secure your spot now and get ready to experience why the Umpqua River has such a renowned reputation among serious salmon and steelhead anglers.
Your fishing platform for this Umpqua River adventure is a purpose-built 17-foot North River drift boat, specifically designed for the technical demands of salmon and steelhead fishing. This nimble craft lets you access those hard-to-reach river holes where the big fish hold, with the stability and maneuverability needed for precise presentations in moving water. Built for two anglers, the boat allows plenty of casting room while Captain Will works the oars to position you perfectly for each drift. The shallow draft design means you can fish water that larger boats can't touch, getting you into prime salmon and steelhead territory along the legendary Umpqua. From September through February, this boat becomes your gateway to some of Oregon's most productive fishing waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, or "Kings," are the biggest salmon you'll find in the Umpqua, often hitting 15-30 pounds with some real monsters pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers have black-spotted backs and fight like nothing else when hooked. They love the deeper holes and slower water, especially around cover like fallen trees or undercut banks. Fall through winter is prime time when they're fresh from the ocean and full of fight. What makes them special isn't just their size - their rich, orange-pink meat is top-shelf table fare. Kings are light-sensitive, so they stick to the bottom during bright days. Here's a local trick: when the water's up and colored, don't be afraid to go big and bright with your presentation. These fish didn't get huge by being timid.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called "silvers," are the acrobats of the salmon world. Running 8-12 pounds on average, these fish will jump clean out of the water when hooked and put up a scrappy fight that keeps you on your toes. They prefer the medium-depth runs and pools, often holding in current breaks near structure. Peak season runs September through December when they're bright and aggressive. What sets cohos apart is their athletic nature - they can leap up to six feet vertically, making every hookup a show. Their bright orange meat is excellent eating too. These fish love bright colors, especially in our often-stained Umpqua water. Pro tip: when you're fishing holding water with cohos around, try twitching a bright jig with a long tail - that movement drives them crazy and triggers aggressive strikes.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate river gamefish - basically ocean-going rainbow trout that return to spawn. These chrome-bright fighters average 24 inches but can stretch past 35, and they're built like silver torpedoes from their years in salt water. They hold in medium-depth runs with good current, often tucked behind boulders or along seams. Our best fishing runs mid-fall through early spring when fresh fish are moving upstream. What makes steelhead legendary is their bulldogging runs and aerial displays - they're incredibly strong and never give up easy. Unlike salmon, steelhead don't die after spawning, so they fight with everything they've got. The key on the Umpqua is reading water and staying mobile. My go-to tip: focus on the tailouts of pools where fast water transitions to slow - that's where steelhead love to sit and ambush food.
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