Kilchis River Fishing Guide

Pacific Drifter Guide Service: Your Top Choice for Kilchis River Fishing Guides in the Pacific Northwest

If you're searching for a Kilchis River fishing guide, you're in the right place. I've been fishing the Kilchis for several decades, and it remains one of my favorite rivers for many reasons.

Picture a pristine coastal mountain river flowing directly into Tillamook Bay and the nearby Pacific Ocean. The upper Kilchis winds through a lush rainforest, and during higher water, it transforms into an absolutely stunning sight — with emerald green currents and colorful river rocks. It’s a place that’s as beautiful to explore as it is to fish.

Thanks to my deep familiarity with this river, I know exactly when to fish it, where to go, and what techniques to use based on run timing and seasonal conditions. Another unique feature of the Kilchis is how quickly it clears after a high-water event, making it one of the best rivers to target fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, chum salmon, and winter steelhead.

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Best Catches of the Kilchis River

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon fishing on the Kilchis River can be phenomenal in the fall. These eager-biting salmon are a blast to target. The Kilchis is a small river system, but it sees big Chinook salmon entering its waters.

Starting with the first good rain in October, fall Chinook begin running up the Kilchis and continue through December. What’s especially exciting about this run is the late wave of fall Chinook that pushes in well into December, offering chances to catch dime-bright, purple-backed Chinook even late in the season.

There are three boat launches along the Kilchis River, all within a short 15-minute drive from Tillamook, Oregon.

The Kilchis is an excellent river for targeting Chinook salmon. All Chinook here are wild, and the river supports a healthy run of returning adults. Whether you're fishing with bobber and eggs or pulling plugs, these fish are a thrill to hook. Knowing when to switch techniques as you float downstream is something I’ve learned from years of experience on this water. Some holes fish better with plugs, while others are ideal for bobber fishing. One thing’s for sure — the Kilchis River will put your fish-fighting skills to the test while fishing for these powerful salmon.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon fishing on the Kilchis River offers exciting opportunities throughout the fall season. With coho arriving alongside the Chinook run, it’s a perfect time to be on the pristine waters of the Kilchis. Seeing chrome-bright coho, still carrying sea lice, explode out of the water is an unforgettable experience. The Kilchis supports a healthy run of native coho salmon, making them a great complement to the overall fall fishing adventure.

As with Chinook, coho begin entering the river with the first fall rains (usually in October, and the run continues well into December.)

Coho can be caught using the same gear as Chinook, but we also use specific techniques that target coho more effectively. One of the most exciting methods is twitching jigs.

With a bit of guidance, I’ll have you twitching like a pro in no time. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of twitching up a wild, fresh-out-of-the-ocean coho that’s fired up and ready to crush a properly presented jig bouncing along the river bottom.

I use rods specifically designed for twitching, which allow for better jig action and stronger hooksets. Twitching is, without a doubt, one of my favorite ways to target coho salmon.

Coho Salmon

As with Chinook, coho begin entering the river with the first fall rains (usually in October, and the run continues well into December.)

Coho can be caught using the same gear as Chinook, but we also use specific techniques that target coho more effectively. One of the most exciting methods is twitching jigs.

I use rods specifically designed for twitching, which allow for better jig action and stronger hooksets. Twitching is, without a doubt, one of my favorite ways to target coho salmon.

Winter Steelhead

Steelhead fishing on the Kilchis River is another incredible opportunity we get to enjoy so close to the Portland area. Cold, rainforest-fed mountain water rushes through the riverbanks of the Kilchis as the mist of the Pacific Ocean lingers in the air. Watching the sunrise over this wild landscape is something that stays with you for a lifetime.

We target winter steelhead on the Kilchis River from January through March.

Located in the Tillamook State Forest and just minutes from the Pacific, the Kilchis receives ample rain during the winter months. One of the river's unique advantages is how quickly it clears after a storm, often becoming fishable while other nearby rivers remain blown out. This makes the Kilchis a top choice for chasing winter steelhead in challenging weather conditions.

The Kilchis is home to a native-only run of wild winter steelhead, known for their strength and aggressive strikes. These fish are more than willing to grab a properly presented bait. Fortunately, you’ve found a guide who has spent years learning the timing, behavior, and tactics that work best on this river. The Kilchis is one of my go-to rivers after a heavy rain system moves through the region.

Chum Salmon

Chum fishing on the Kilchis River is widely regarded as offering some of the best chum salmon runs in Oregon. These fish are an awesome and underrated strain of salmon, and when they’re in the system, they’re very accessible and fun to target. Chum are known for their sheer power. In fact, they’ll bulldog you down the river and give your arms a serious workout, especially if you hook into several back-to-back. Many anglers look forward to the Kilchis chum run each year, as it's a staple fishery in the Tillamook area.

We can fish for chum salmon from October through November 15, when the season closes for targeting chum salmon.

Chum salmon are easily recognized by their vivid body markings and large, hook-nosed jaws lined with sharp teeth. They’re highly aggressive and territorial, often striking at any well-presented bait or lure. While chum salmon are catch-and-release only, the fight they put up makes them one of the most fun species to chase on the river.

If you’ve never experienced the thrill of hooking into an angry Kilchis River chum, you’re truly missing out. With my years of experience targeting these powerful fish, you can count on an exciting day if they’re in the system.

Chum Salmon

We can fish for chum salmon from October through November 15, when the season closes for targeting chum salmon.

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Picture the Perfect Kilchis River Fishing Trip

Hear From Past Clients About Their Fishing Adventures with Pacific Drifter on the Kilchis River

“We had an awesome time! Jordan was awesome, super educational and knew all the ins and outs which made for a phenomenal trip! Caught a few big ole salmon he made the day enjoyable for all ages and got the little one really into trying to get one it was amazing and will definitely be chartering with him again!”

– Hailey B.

“Just went out with the family and had a blast and will be doing it again he know what the fish bite on and times and where it’s hot we got 3 good size salmon today but we got a lot of time out on the lake and was pleased also he has a amazing fish finder he can tell u what pole is about to get bite so u can shift people around if you want to so they can get their fish of the day.”

– Travis S.

“Had a lot of fun.. I was rusty, hadn't fished much in the last 2 years.. He brought me back up to speed and got my buddy on his first couple steelhead. Awesome trip. Jordan works hard and will teach you as much as you're willing to learn.”

– Tom C.

“We had an awesome day on the water with Jordan! Spring chinooks are notoriously tough to catch this time of year, but thanks to Jordan’s expertise and guidance, every single one of us managed to land one. He was super professional, easy to hang with, and great at explaining what we needed to do. It was clear he really knows his stuff, and he kept the vibes fun and relaxed. I’m pumped that we put food on the table for our last night in Oregon!! Highly recommend booking with Jordan!”

– Celia N.

“My sister and I had an awesome time with Captain Jordan! He was professional, patient, prepared and kept in touch with me daily concerning the weather. It was touch and go for a while but he made the right call to get us out there on the water. He also provided two heaters that came in very handy. He was determined for us to catch fish and as excited as we were when we caught 4 big steel head, but lost one out of the 4. We would highly recommend him as a guide and plan to go again.”

” – Kris P.

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