Outing to Fish for Steelhead on the Klamath River

On October 23^rd, the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers will head to Northern California to fish for steelhead on the Klamath River.  We will float from just below Iron Gate Dam to Klamathon.  The Klamath gets a good run of summer steelhead, and the area above Interstate 5 fishes well late in the season.

The tackle and techniques we use here on the Upper Rogue work well on the Klamath River.  In October dead-drifting egg or nymph patterns through the long runs can be very effective.  There is also plenty of good water for swinging flies.  Like here, small, somber flies seem most effective.  Barbless hooks are required.  Six-weight single-handed outfits and light switch or Spey outfits are suitable. Bring a floating line, and if you want to swing flies during the middle of the day, also bring sinking tips.  While there are a few places to fish from the bank, to make the float, you will need to bring a driftboat, raft, or pontoon boat.  The float from Iron Gate to Klamathon has some minor rapids, but nothing too difficult.

You will also need a California fishing license and a steelhead tag.  A day license is $17.02 and the steelhead tag is $8.13.  You can buy them locally at the Blackbird.  You can also buy them on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website, but they will mail the steelhead tag to you, so if you buy it online, you will have to do so well ahead of time.

We will meet at 7:00 AM on the 23^rd in the Rogue Valley Mall parking lot near the Crater Lake Avenue entrance and caravan from there.  With all of the issue these days—wildfires, the pandemic, government closures, and so on—it is possible we could have to change plans.  If you plan to attend the outing, please let me know at tmdrhaight@infostructure.net, so I can inform you of any changes.

David Haight, Outing Chair