Salmon River From A Kayak

I've read on a number of fishing threads that Fall Chinook are starting to show up in the Salmon River that parallels HWY 18.  Has anyone fished it from a kayak?  Looking at Google Earth, I see lots of boats and kayaks near the boat ramp, but curious if anyone has fished the area from a kayak?

Any thoughts?  Thanks.

It looks like there's a good launch near the mouth.  Between there and the hatchery upstream there's a bunch of kayaks on the satellite.  I've never fished it but it looks promising.  I've only fished a river twice and it was basically pondwater... not sure how to arrange logistics other than paddling upstream and floating back.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cascade+Head+Trail+-+South+Trailhead/@45.0413539,-123.9944674,832m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x54eab6fb931806e7:0xce50396ec37d047e!2sOR-18,+Sheridan,+OR+97378!3b1!8m2!3d45.082428!4d-123.4230438!3m4!1s0x0:0x6b300a2232ba8adb!8m2!3d45.0420251!4d-123.9922652

Fished it several times in the last few years.  Easy launch at the county park, riding the tide up stream there are several areas for good fishing.  Heading to the mouth is popular and many crab traps as well as trolling boats in that area.

Dan_E

I've fished and caught from the salmon river, upstream.  It's a great coastal river. Never did any good downstream from the launch towards the mouth.  There are a ton of bank fishermen on the salmon river, so upstream there are a bunch of egg fishermen and bobbers to dodge. The bank fishermen don't much like the kayakers...but who cares, we can all share.  Read the regulations carefully!! That area gets patrolled and I have seen more than one ticket written.

Thanks for the advice.  I'm hoping to give it a shot.

The current on the salmon river isn't strong- but still the easiest kayaking is to ride the incoming tide and at high slack turn around and fish back to the county ramp. It's a very nice place to paddle - super busy on weekends.  There are a few deep holes, so an anchor might be good for those that have anchoring skills (but lots of power boats come through, so be aware and be visible if you'll be anchored).

The have been special regs in effect the past few years to counter the flossing culture there. Be sure you know the rules. It's been different below the ramp and above the ramp with regards to number of hooks, I believe and count on being checked at the ramp.

I learned to fish there as a kid with my dad and grampa for searun cut throat. Went back 10 years ago with my neigbor to fish the barn hole and i would describe it as compleat combat fishing.I would go to the mouth,been thinking about it myself.Its beautyful area .Other option is go above the barn hole. I think there are other good unocupied holes,

I was out there this weekend for a rec. paddle (should have brought the salmon rod!) Quite a few boats trolling the mouth, but even in the tide change the current wasnt too bad at all.  I am tempted to head back out, quite a pretty area.  Also, off topic, but looked like very good ocean access too, suprised it isn't mentioned more.

I was out there this weekend for a rec. paddle (should have brought the salmon rod!) Quite a few boats trolling the mouth, but even in the tide change the current wasnt too bad at all.  I am tempted to head back out, quite a pretty area.  Also, off topic, but looked like very good ocean access too, suprised it isn't mentioned more.

There is a marine reserve in the Ocean, south of the river mouth I believe.

That there is. Open to ground fish and salmon north though. Looking through other reports, I think it was just exceptionally calm yesterday.  Sounds like that bar crossing can actually get pretty hairy

That there is. Open to ground fish and salmon north though. Looking through other reports, I think it was just exceptionally calm yesterday.  Sounds like that bar crossing can actually get pretty hairy

We did it once and crossing the bar going out wasn't bad. Coming back in was a different story. We decided against coming back in over the bar due to the rocks and swell direction There's no protection and the break is pretty long and shallow in places. The fishing wasn't great on the day we were out there too. For my money I'd probably hit PC or Depoe first for the Ocean, but it is fun to fish new areas.