Lower Klamath

[rh crank]

Guys,
Have never fished the Klamath but have heard much about the 1/2 pounders that arrive around Labor Day. Most of the Klamath stuff I've read has been mid and upper river info focusing deeper into the fall. Would late August be the time to fish Blakes and Terwer down low or am I too early. Except for a small pontoon I'd be wading. Is this section of river friendly to the guy in boots or is it a float game? And that Klamath algae, how bad would it be down low?
Finally, is this gun-boat flycasting where any poor cast results in curses or worse? Any info is much appreciated.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Half-pounders will first come in late August/early September.

That time of year for me it is best extremely early (~6:00am) till about 10am...or noon at the latest.

I like to take a break then go out late afternoon (3-4pm) till dark.

If you have fog or overcast down in that lower river you can fish all day.

You might catch some little chrome jack King salmon while fly fishing for Steelhead. Get a salmon tag so you can keep one or two.

Without a boat you only have those two riffles to fish but they can be very good when the fish are there.

You can take a small 12-14' aluminum boat with a small 10-20hp outboard and fish some of that lower river.

Most fish the lower 30 miles with jet boats.



Kiene's info on the Klamath River.

http://www.kiene.com/portfolio-view/klamath-river/



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[Jeff F]

When I lived up in Eureka a few years ago, I got to know the river pretty well. Bill is right in that the hp's will start to show down at Blake's in early Sept. There is some fantastic water just below Blake's too. Just walk/drive down the cobble. And remember, when we're talking about "riffles" on the Klamath, we're not talking about shallow trout stream riffles. We're talking long stretches (up to a 1/4mi long) of nice deep riffles. You can wade out about 1/2 way across down there and cast over to the far bank where it's deepest and swing your flies through. Perfect for a 2-handed rod, but I do fine with a single. Funny, but I've never had to deal with too many people down there. Lots of jet boats going through yes, but not too many bankies. I usually fished during the week though.

Personally, I usually wait until mid to late Sept and fish up by Orleans. Much more accessible water. No.1 fly for me is always the Copper Herniator, hands down. I suggest getting the Streamtime map and go up and explore the area around Orleans. My gawd....I'm getting stoked just typing this! Can't wait to get up there!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks Jeff

It seems like the guys who fish the Klamath for years are in a special brotherhood?

I have a deep emotional attachment to the entire Klamath River.

From Johnson's Bar upstream to Happy Camp and even higher, is the water that is very accessable for the drive, hike down and wade situation.

Most of us were introduced in the 1970s to the middle Klamath River by Joe Shirshac who has fished it with a fly rod sense 1952.

In September with Joe were would start driving up or down the river in the dark with the headlights on. We would park at one of Joe's favorite pull outs. You would almost need a flashlight to get down the rocky trails to the beautiful runs and riffles. Joe like to fish hard really early and really late in the day with a floating line and a #6 Silver Hilton.

It is a magic river. I use mostly a floating line and size 8 fly.

__________________________________________________ ________________

Never use light tippets for swinging flies for Steelhead.

In the Klamath there are fish that are 6 to 12 pounds along with those 12 to 22 inch Half-pounders.

30 year Klamath guide Mike Kysninski now recommends at least 1X tippet. He use to recommend 2x.

Al Perryman likes at least 6# Maxima Ultragreen.

Spey guide Jason Hartwick never uses lighter than 8# Maxima Ultragreen.

Mike Mercer once told me the difference between 2x and 3x was huge.



For decades I have been asking questions of every person that I meet who fishes the Klamath River.

I also ask every guide a set of questions.

Favorite times of year? What stretches of river do they like? What months? What time fo days? What techneques? What equipment? What lines? What tippet? .....................and what flies?

After 40 years of fishing it myself and asking all these questions I have a pretty good idea about that river.


I think Terry Thomas and friends are headed up that way next week.....


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[dpentoney]

Growing up in Eureka we would always start fishing the lower Klamath on the 4th of July, and the fish were in at that time. July fish tended to not be half-pounders, but in the 3 to 6 lb. range. The whole month of August used to be good for half-pounders. I was on the river a year or so ago and was dismayed at how the bottom was covered in algae, much more than in the '70s. Unfortunately the amount of fertilizer used in marijuana cultivation in all the north coast watersheds has caused a proliferation of algae growth. I'd use a floating line and swing flies just below the surface....

[Jeff F]

Yeah, I got to know Mike K. pretty well, as I was always hangin' out in the flyshop picking his brain. Met alot of old timers in that shop too. I just sat and listened to them talk about the Klamath and the Eel and how it used to be back in the day. Amazing stuff.

As for the Klamath fish.....they're not tippet shy, that's for sure. Mike always told me that those fish are always "looking up", so you don't need to use heavy sink tips, like on the Eel. You can definitely get away with a floater and a heavy fly. But I usually fish with a 10' poly leader and about 3' of 2x tippet. The water is never crystal clear on the Klamath, so stealth and thin leaders is not needed.

But yeah.....there are some big fish mixed in with the hp's. I remember one day a couple years ago, in the midst of hooking upwards of 30 hp's, I landed a rare biggie on the Klamath.....a 36" fresh buck. Probably about 12-13lbs or so. Mike told me he only sees a few of those per year, and he's out guiding every day. So you just never know.....

[rh crank]

Is it ok to camp on the gravel bars near Blakes? And is there any point in bringing a pontoon or pram?
Thanks for all the input everybody as I'm a first timer up there.