You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Loading...

View All Fishing Reports

Klamath River: , by Dax Messett: Spey Camp was fun!: 3 stars

We just finished up our Spey Camps on the beautiful Lower Klamath River.  Our Spey Camps are instruction based, but we also like to catch chrome half pound and adult steelhead while we are teaching beginner to expert spey casting and angling techniques.  The first few camps had some exceptionally hot weather.  Then things really cooled off dramatically, and the river temperature in our home water dropped from 72 degrees to 69 degrees.  Steelhead poured in and we had some excellent fishing in our home water and the other amazing swing runs close to our camp.  Leslie prepared superb meals, Gino cruised us to some of the best swing water in the lower 48, and everyone left a better spey caster and steelhead angler.  Spey Camp is such a good time.
 
I would like to address some concerns that I have heard regarding high water temperatures on the Klamath, and if we should be fishing in such conditions.  This drought has really heightened awareness for our rivers, which is a great thing.  I appreciate and share everyones concerns about this situation.  We are acutely aware of the water temperatures where we are fishing, and continuously monitor the situation.  We don't look on the internet for temps, we put a thermometer in the water that we are fishing in.  When the temps got to what we felt like was too warm, and it looked like the heat was going to continue, we canceled a few trips.  When it cooled off, it was game on.  
 
In relation to the inland trout streams that most fly anglers are use to fishing, the Lower Klamath is a much different fishery.  Water temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees are quite normal on the Lower Klamath in July and August.  As a trout angler, I realize that we are used to fishing much cooler water temps.  The Lower Klamath is simply a totally different animal compared to trout streams, and other steelhead rivers for that matter.  There are multiple temperature gages on the Klamath, and the temperature above Blue Creek will be several degrees higher that the water that we fish during Spey Camp, since we only fish below the closure.  The fish that we encountered and carefully released shot off like bullets, like all chrome steelhead do.  We didn't pose for any hero shots with fish, and a fish never came out of the water.  Spey Camp is one of the coolest experiences out there for two handed enthusiasts, and look for Confluence Outfitter Spey Camps going into the Fall months next year.

Next 10 open days for Dax Messett:
Book our Guides Online!