Klamath Report

**Jeff F** · 09-10-2018, 11:42 AM

A week late on this report......

Sept 1-2. Got to Orleans around noon. Set up camp at Pearch Ck. On the river by 1pm. Noticed that the river was thick with tiny tiny particles of green algae. Soup-like. Nothing big enough to foul your hook, but visibility was down to about 2-feet. Bummer. However, I managed to hook around 6-7 half-pounders (16-18"). Also got a one-salt fish about 24".

Sunday was a completely different story. Got an early start, swam across the river to my favorite stretch. The water had completely cleared up and was back to the normal tea colored Klamath we all know and love. Visibility was back to normal. Immediately got into fish, and it turned out to be an epic day. So good that I stayed on this one stretch all day long. There was a driftboat with two guys fishing with spinners and just hammering the halfies. As was I. I also happened into 8 bigger fish (22-25"). And lost a really big fish, probably 8-10lbs. Saw a couple of those big ones jumping out the water too. One of the spin guys landed a fish that was around 8lbs or so. Unfortunately, I had to witness that fish getting bonked with a rock to the head. Personally, I've never caught a clipped fish on the Klamath, and I've been fishing it for many years now. I never saw the guy check the adipose, he just dragged it up on the cobble and whacked it quickly. That sucked to see.....but I digress........

Anyway, had one of the best days of my life fishing the Klamath. Tons of HP's and lots of bigger fish in the mix. Needless to say, I think the river is really coming back from the effects of the drought. During the drought years, we were only getting a handfull of fish, and sometimes even getting skunked for a couple days in a row, which never happened in September pre-drought.

And one more thing......as I was fishing this stretch of river, I could see lots of fish moving upstream. That river is freaking loaded with steelhead right now. Only saw a couple salmon rolling. Sorry no pics, as my official photographer, Eric O., couldn't make this trip. But we're going up next weekend for another go-round. Word on the street is there are still lots of fish down at the Glen, so they're still coming! So glad to have this river back to her old self. It's just great news.

Get up there soon if you can. It's outstanding fishing.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the spin guys said that the algae on Saturday was due to dam release from Iron Gate. Nothing river related.

~Jeff

**Jeff C.** · 09-11-2018, 07:46 AM

Epic report Fisher! Sounds like you scored!

**itsbenlong** · 09-11-2018, 08:37 AM

You should know that your awesome report is costing me a bunch of money....See you on the Klamath! Lol. #playinhooky #skippinwrk

**EricO** · 09-11-2018, 09:01 AM

The official photographer is jealous, but pumped to be going soon.

Work is really getting in the way of my steelhead pursuit.

Eric

**Bill Kiene semi-retired** · 09-11-2018, 11:44 AM

That is so exciting.....thanks.

**Peter S** · 09-11-2018, 11:49 AM

I'm on the K right now. Having fun!

**Bill Kiene semi-retired** · 09-11-2018, 12:02 PM

Wonderful Peter.......

What kind of fly fishing tackle are you using?

I known that fishing early and late in the day is a good thing.

**Peter S** · 09-11-2018, 02:51 PM

Fishing a couple of RB Meiser MKX rods, a 12'6" 3/4 and a 13' 4/5. Scandi heads and wakers/skaters. Also have a 7132 Beulah with a tip. Fishing early and late, siesta during the afternoon!