Fishing Trips

The Nestucca gives drift boat fisherman an excellent variety of launches, 5 to be exact, with the only the limitation of daylight to keep the angler off the water.  Once the river gets above the 5-foot mark the Nestucca will undoubtedly have fish present. Late October rains will bring the river into a fishable level, but if the first rains of fall occur sooner, don’t hesitate to make the drive the coast. Fish will have been staged in tidewater since early September, and the first freshet will signal these fish to move upriver.

Nestucca Fishing 2011

Nestucca River

The Nestucca River also know as the Big Nestucca boasts 55 miles of river that ranges from 50 to 100 feet wide.  The river is easily accessible off of Highway 101 and up 858 to the Siuslaw National Forest.  There are many public access points on the river and many more areas that are accessible for a fee.  Drift boat fishing is the optimum way to fish the river with several improved areas throughout the river for launching and removing drift boats.  The lower drifts are best for novice rowers while the upper drifts are best tackled by more experienced rowers.   Depending on the river conditions you may want to utilize any of the following methods: drift fish bait or artificials, bobber fish bait jigs or plastic worms, throw spinners, and back troll plugs.  Typical gear for pursuing steelhead in the river is medium fast (8-17lb) rated casting or spinning rods with 12lb mainline and 24" - 48" 8-10lb fluorocarbon leaders.  For salmon a medium heavy (10-20lb) rated casting or spinning rods with 12-50lb mainline and 24" - 48" 20-40lb fluorocarbon leaders.

Coastal River Prices

*gratuities are not included in price

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In conjunction with High Desert River Outfitters we are able to offer a limited number of Rogue River trips through the 35 mile wild and Scenic stretch. We offer camping trips and lodge trips. Our camping trips give our guests the opportunity to experience a true wilderness experience and is an affordable wilderness vacation with all the romance of outdoor life and true riverside dinning. Our lodge trips (space is limited so reserve early)offer a rustic ambiance, clean sheets, a shower each day, and lodge dinning rooms with family style meals. Both kinds of trips are excellent and we recommend doing both, maybe alternate from year to year.

The world renowned Rogue River is a national treasure offering pristine scenery, exciting rapids, warm clear water, excellent fishing and abundant wildlife. The half and full day sections of the Rogue River, also known as the “upper middle” portion, is located in southern Oregon, a short distance from Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass. Situated along the Pacific Flyway, the area offers a wonderful variety of birds and waterfowl, beautiful scenery, and a rich history. There are two sections to choose from: a very relaxing scenic float, or a fantastic whitewater stretch for anyone wanting to get introduced to whitewater rafting.

You'll experience a unique adventure with numerous named class III and IV rapids.  Names like Slim Pickens, Rainie Falls and the Fish Ladder, Graves Creek Rapid, Black Bear, Wild Cat, Mule Creek Canyon (a churning boiling witch's cauldren that can catch you in the Cofee Pot), and Blossom Bar.  These places will be etched in your mind as wonderful memories.  Beautiful scenery and outstanding wild life viewing opportunities abound.  The National Historic Rogue River Ranch will give you a peak into life in pioneer days on the Rogue.  You can visit Zane Grey's log cabin (over a hundred years old) where he conceived and wrote the book, Rogue River Feud..

Rogue River Salmon at Ranie Falls

Book early so we can make sure you get a reservation as all aspects from lodging to dates are limited including duration and number on the trip. Below is a list of available dates and numbers of openings.

Wild and Scenic Rogue River Dates

One of the few [legally declared] navigable rivers in Oregon, the Sandy River is a 56-mile tributary of the Columbia River.  It was originally named Quicksand River in 1805 by Lewis and Clark because of "immense quantities of sand" at the mouth; but was shortened to the Sandy River by the new locals by about the mid 1840's. Icy Reid Glacier gives birth to this wild and scenic river and some of the finest fishing experiences and wild life sightings within minutes from the heart of a major metropolitan center.  The Sandy River flows generally west and then north for 56 miles through basalt and ash canyons to the Columbia River at Troutdale  about 14 miles east of Portland. This river is also unique in that it is a free flowing stream as the only dam actually on the Sandy River, Marmot Dam, was dismantled in October of 2007. We can expect this river to have increased runs of all anadromous fish within the next couple of years.

The Sandy supports runs of Spring Chinook, Fall Chinook, Coho, Winter Steelhead, and Summer Steelhead and we are happy to help you target any of the runs you wish. Winter Steelhead are fished December through April. Summer Steelhead are fished May through September. Hatchery Steelhead weigh 8 to 10 pounds with some reaching 15 pounds. Wild Steelhead weigh up to 21 pounds and are not unusual in the Sandy, of course, all non fin-clipped Steelhead must be released unharmed. Returns of adipose fin-clipped wild broodstock fish are showing from a successful spawning programs now in place.  These beauties weigh 12 to 15 pounds each and some are even larger. Chinook (Springers) Salmon are fished March thru June and Fall Chinook are targeted August through November.

We launch from either Dodge or Oxbow Park, two very different and unique drifts:

• From Dodge Park we float in an oared raft, (either a Cat-a-Raft or standard round boat) through one class III and several class II rapids. We sill stop and fish in some of the finest Steelhead and Salmon water on the river, and we will take the time to thoroughly work each hole and drift (fishing is limited to the bank as fishing from a boat is not permitted ). For those who enjoy it, the white water is an added bonus to the great fishing on this wild and scenic river. This run is appreciated by the fisherman who enjoy scrambling along the river bank to get to just the right spot to cast, or wade to better advantage.  
• Launching at Oxbow you will be able to fish from the drift boat as we employ fishing techniques like pulling plugs, bober fishing and drift fishing.  Many of our guests enjoy side drifting as we float downstream to the next hole while others use the opportunity to grab a snack or fresh cup of hot coffee.
  

Sandy River Trip Pricing

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