Fishing Is Just Warming Up on the Klamath

Klamath River - Upper - CA - Hornbrook, CA (Siskiyou County)


by The Fly Shop
8-17-2011
Website

Current River Conditions:
Water conditions are warm near Iron Gate, pushing fish down stream, about 100 miles at least! Flows are 1,050 cfs out of Iron Gate Dam. Expect bigger, faster water down river as accumulated water from feeder streams, still brimming with snowmelt, contribute cold, clear water to the Klamath. The Salmon fishing below the Klamath's largest tributary, Blue Creek, has been fair. Expect a few 1/2 pound steelhead and Jack Salmon. Look for the fishing to get better as we close in on the end of summer.

Road Conditions:
No traffic restriction reported for this area.

Click here for up to date Klamath River flows

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
In the winter months, fishing various egg patterns, like clown eggs, shrimp pink micro spawns and Pat's Rubber Legs under indicators, in slow water, will usually conjure up 3-5 lb. steelhead. In May and June, fishing large salmon fly dries along the banks, next to boulders and in shallow tail outs will produce those carnivores fish this river is famous for. I would not want to be a salmon fly on this river! Use 9' leaders, tapered to 2x. Attach your salmon fly dry. Cast! To step it up, suspend a prince nymph, red copper john or egg pattern under your dry. Enjoy! Look at the list to the right, the Rogue Foam Stone/Salmon Fly and Anes Salmon Fly Adult are great choices that imitate pteronarcys californica, or the Salmon Fly! The half pounders (juvenile steelhead) and an increasing number of adult steelhead make the Klamath a popular fly fishing destination during the months of October-November.

River Fact:
The Klamath river is 263 miles long, originating in a broad valley at the eastern slope of the southern High Cascades, the water source is Upper Klamath Lake. Sometimes called "the upside down river", the upper Klamath in Oregon is largely developed, but the lower Klamath is still wild, forested and ruggedly beautiful. Next to the Klamath, the only river that originates in a desert and flows into the coastal forests of the pacific west is the Pit River.

Flies:

Dries:
• Rogue Foam Salmon Fly
• Anes Mojo Salmon Fly Adult
• Anes Mojo Golden Stone
• Rogue Foam Stone Fly
• Yellow Stimulator #8-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies
• Red Copper Johns #14-18
• 3-D Nymphs #8-10
• Mercer's PB Biot Stone #8-14
• CB Black Birds Nest #14-16
• Sparkle Pupa
• S.A.L.T. Stone #6
• Rubberlegs #4-8
• Sexy Souka #6
• Zack's Thurmanator Stone
• BH Prince Nymphs #14-16

Eggs:
• Clown Egg #4-10
• Shrimp Pink Micro Spawn




More Reports

The Fly Shop Reports
for Monday, August 15th, 2011

Sacramento River: 16 to 18 Inch Rainbows are Common on the Lower Sac these days
Pit River: Water color is good and the fishing has been fair on the Pit River

The Fly Shop Reports
for Saturday, August 13th, 2011

Sacramento River: The Upper Sac Is a Great Choice for Fishing Thru September
McCloud River: Everything You Need to Know About the McCloud River