How To Catch Coho Salmon: Best Tips & Tricks for Fishing in the Pacific Northwest

 There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hooking into a coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest. One moment your line is drifting through quiet water, and the next, it’s ripping downstream with a chrome-bright fish leaping into the air. 

Coho are known for their aggressive strikes, explosive runs, and heart-pounding fights that challenge even seasoned anglers. After decades of chasing these incredible fish across Oregon and Washington, I can tell you: It never gets old.

Continue reading to discover the best tips and tricks on how to catch a coho salmon.

Table of Contents

• The Basics of Coho Salmon Fishing
• Coho Salmon Fishing: How To Catch Your First Coho Salmon
• Pacific Drifter Guide Service: Your Go-To for Guided Coho Salmon Charters in Oregon and Washington

The Basics of Coho Salmon Fishing

Before trying to memorize advanced techniques or find the best rivers with the best locations, it’s important to understand what makes coho salmon such a prized catch in the Pacific Northwest.

Coho, or “silvers” as many anglers call them, are known for their speed, acrobatic skills, and the excitement and memories they bring to every fisher on our trips. As someone who has spent decades fishing in the area, I can tell you firsthand — there’s nothing quite like watching a coho rocket out of the water on a misty morning. 

I’ve guided seasoned anglers, enthusiastic beginners, and tourists through the Pacific Northwest river system, and no matter their experience level, the moment a coho hits the line is always unforgettable.

Where To Catch Coho Salmon

Coho salmon can be found in several key rivers across Oregon and Washington — each with its own rhythm, timing, and strategy. Here are some of the main spots we guide at Pacific Drifter Guide Service:

• Columbia River – High-return powerhouse. Fast-paced action from the 25’ sled during peak fall runs.
• Willamette River – Urban hotspot. Easy access and strong fall coho near Portland with precise timing.
• Sandy River – Technical and scenic. Best for intermediate anglers using the drift boat in clear water.
• Clackamas River – Versatile and overlooked. Great fallback when other rivers close — productive by bank or boat.
• Lewis River – Consistent returns. A go-to when Oregon rivers slow down or close early.
• Cowlitz River – Late-season favorite. Solid coho action when most other runs are winding down.

When To Catch Coho Salmon  

Timing is everything when it comes to coho fishing. While peak season typically runs from early September to early November, the exact timing can vary year to year — and river to river — depending on water temperatures, rainfall, and hatchery schedules. Since these dates can drastically impact how likely it is for you to catch a coho salmon, I keep a constant eye on fish counts, river conditions, and emergency closures so that our clients don’t miss their window.

Some of my favorite days are the ones where we pivot to a less-crowded tributary at just the right moment, finding aggressive coho holding in small pockets while the big rivers are packed or blown out. Knowing when to go — and where — is part of the magic, and something I take pride in offering every guest who steps on my boat.

Coho Salmon Fishing: How To Catch Your First Coho Salmon

Use the Right Equipment

When it comes to catching your first coho salmon, the right gear can make all the difference. At Pacific Drifter Guide Service, I outfit all my trips with proven equipment that’s been refined over decades of chasing coho through Oregon and Washington rivers, including: 

• ⅜ oz and ½ oz marabou jigs: Especially with vibrant colors like pink, purple, and black with UV accents. For low-light conditions or darker water, I switch to metallic heads or scent-enhanced versions to trigger more aggressive strikes.
• Boat setup:
  • The 25’ sled is fast, stable, and designed for chasing moving fish, which is ideal for covering big water like the Columbia or Lewis River. 
  • The 17’ drift boat is more technical and allows tight maneuvers and a stealthier approach like the one needed in rivers like the Sandy or Clackamas. 
  • The 13’ NRS raft gives us the ultimate flexibility to reach remote or shallow stretches.
• Rods:
  • I stick with medium to medium-heavy fast-action spinning rods, usually 8’6” to 9’6” in length, matched with a 12-15 lb fluorocarbon leader. These offer the backbone needed for powerful fish while still allowing you to feel the twitch of the jig or the subtle tap of a bite.

Choose the Best Bait

Using the right bait is key to getting coho to strike, especially when the bite gets finicky. Here’s what we rely on at Pacific Drifter Guide Service:

• Fresh or Brined Anchovies & Herring
  • Ideal for tidewater and lower rivers like the Columbia or Willamette
  • Fished whole or plug-cut behind a rotating flasher
  • Brined for durability, scent, and extra flash
• Cured Roe (Salmon Eggs)
  • Best for drift fishing or under a bobber in rivers like the Sandy or Clackamas
  • Custom-cured for strong scent and color
  • Sometimes paired with shrimp oil for extra attraction
• Twitching Jigs with Scent or Soft Beads
  • Effective in clear water or when fish are aggressive
  • Great fallback when bait pressure is high
  • Easy to switch out during a trip based on fish response

Choosing the right bait is all about reading the river and the fish — something I help every client do on the water.

Pay Attention to the Water Conditions

Understanding water conditions can make or break your coho trip. With 30+ years on Pacific Northwest rivers, I’ve learned to read the water and adjust accordingly. Here’s what to look for:

• Water Clarity: 2-4 feet of visibility is ideal, and a greenish tint is perfect! 
• Water Depth: Since coho prefer slower water near structure during their upriver push, aim for 3-8 feet of holding water. 
• Water Level & Flow: The best time to fish is often just after a rise in river levels from rainfall — something I track closely to make sure we’re on the water when conditions are at their best and the coho are on the move. It’s all part of setting you up for a successful and memorable day on the river.

Choose an Experienced Fishing Guide

Even seasoned anglers know that fishing for coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest isn’t always straightforward. Run timing, river access, regulation changes, and fast-moving fish can make it hard to consistently find success, especially in short windows when the bite is on. That’s where a professional guide makes all the difference.

At Pacific Drifter Guide Service, I bring over 30 years of local fishing experience and up-to-date knowledge of river conditions, open seasons, and productive techniques. 

Whether it’s navigating tricky flows, dialing in bait presentation, or knowing exactly where the fish are holding that week, my job is to take the guesswork out of your trip. With a range of boats and top-tier gear, we can adapt to any river and any condition, so you can focus on fishing, not logistics.

Pacific Drifter Guide Service: Your Go-To for Guided Coho Salmon Charters in Oregon and Washington

At Pacific Drifter Guide Service, every charter is about more than just casting a line — it’s about learning to read the water, understand the rhythms of the season, and time your approach for the best shot at landing coho salmon when they’re most active. With over 30 years of experience fishing the rivers and tributaries of the Pacific Northwest, I’ve built a reputation for knowing exactly when and where the bite is on. 

Whether we’re chasing silvers from the 25’ sled, drifting quietly into remote holes, or navigating tighter waters on the NRS raft, I make sure every guest has the right gear, a smart strategy, and the kind of guided support that turns a fishing trip into something unforgettable. Catching coho isn’t just about luck — it’s about experience, timing, and a deep respect for these powerful fish and the rivers they return to.

If you’re ready to fish smarter, not harder, and experience some of the best salmon fishing the Northwest has to offer, reach out to our Pacific Drifter Guide Service team today and let’s book your next adventure.