Matt Dover - Klamath River

Current Klamath River Fly Fishing Report: 10.08.2024

Ah, fly fishing on the Klamath River near Yreka this month? You’re wanting to know if it’s time to dance with the majestic steelhead of the Klamath? Well, let’s “stretch a line” in a somewhat murky, yet always intriguing, river.

From the whispers of the river, it seems to be a bit of an environmental renaissance with those dams being removed. The Klamath River is now doing its own version of “free flowing,” allowing salmon to swim freely for the first time in over a century. That’s right, your fishy friends are now doing what they’ve always wanted – swimming against the current without artificial barriers, which might revive a river non of us have known. Or maybe not?

Here’s where the water muddies. Recent sentiments in my angling world are a mixed bag. There’s excitement about the dam removal, but also an under current of concern about fish counts being lower than hoped. This could mean either the fish are just getting used to their new freedom, or they literally do not recognize the river and it’s scent. We just don’t know. River temperatures in the upper reaches where I like to fish were way too warm over the summer and are just know starting to cool. Due to construction in the area of recent dam removal, the river is still turbid.

Given the time of year and the river’s conditions post-dam removal here is what I have to share:

Water Clarity: Might be a bit on the murky side due to natural adjustments post-dam. This could mean your flies need to be a bit flashier, brighter.

Fish Behavior: With new freedoms, fish might be exploring more, which could either make them more or less receptive to your offerings. It’s like they’re teenagers given the keys to the car for the first time. What do you think?

Technique: With potentially lower visibility, you might want to focus on shallow tail-outs. Techniques like swinging flies might be your best bet. Drift boat fly anglers can suspend shrimp pink or salmon orange micro-spawn eggs under an indicator through the boulder gardens in-between the deeper formerly popular or yet to prove their once renowned productivity “money” runs.

Local Wisdom: Always good to chat a pro guide like me! We have the real-time scoop, which might differ from the general advice due to the river’s unique situation this year. When the fishing gets good, word may not travel so fast.

So, in summary, fly fishing on the Klamath this month could be described as an adventure into the unknown waters of environmental recovery. It’s less about guaranteed catches and more about being part of a historic ecological shift. You might not catch the biggest fish, but you could be one of the 1st to do so post-dam. If we go, you’ll certainly be part of a story where the river’s narrative is being rewritten. Bring your patience, your humor, and maybe a waterproof camera because you’re not just fishing; you’re witnessing history. And remember, if at first you don’t succeed, the fish are just playing hard to get in their newly liberated river!

Find out more here -> Salmon Swim Freely In The Klamath

Find out more here: American Rivers

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