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Fishing
Guides - Klamath River - Smith River - Sacramento
River
December
23, 2006
Current
Report:
Howdy from
Seiad Valley,
Well here's a quick run
down of what's been happening on the north coast and inland.
I spent a couple days on
the Smith and Chetco early this week. I was helping my old buddy John Pizza out
with a big group he had. I took a whooping on the Smith with a big goose egg on
Monday. Tuesday we hit the Chetco and ended up with two dandy steelies one going
around ten and the other going close to fourteen pounds. Since then the Smith
has been kicking out some real nice fish and the Chetco is a bit slower. Both
rivers are in great shape. Although they are getting some weather over there
right now. The rivers will come up some , but probably won't get blown out. I'll
be heading back to the coast after the first of the year.
The Klamath is in perfect
shape above the Salmon. For those of you who have been pocking around the
reports , the Klamath is far from blown out. I have not been out fishing myself.
I'm in the middle of a building project at home and I'm trying to finish it
before I leave for the coast. The guys that have been out have been doing well.
Four to six adults from the boats and one or two for the bank anglers. I'll be
out for a couple days right around Christmas. (I have to make sure I'm not
talking any crap you know.) The girls will want to hit the river while home for
the holidays.
I just want to take a
minute to thank all of you that have made this year one of the best in my twenty
two years of doing this fishing thing. It still beats hammering nails or packing
a chain saw around the woods by a long shot. Not many people get to do something
that they really want to do for a living.
Have a Merry
Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
Fish On,
Wally
December
7, 2006
Current
Report:
Hi Folks,
Well last weekend I took a
trip to the coast to set my fish camp for the winter steelhead season. Of coarse
I made sure to get my drift boat over there too. My son-in-law Aaron and my
friend Nels joined me.
We were originally on the
search for some big salmon on the Smith and Chetco. We started on the Smith on
Saturday. We fished for salmon for the first few holes with no action. We had
the side drifting gear with us too. After pounding the Cable Hole with no
results we switched up and tossed the lines in hoping to catch some steelies.
First cast , Aaron hooked up with a small hatchery steelhead that went about 3
pounds. We released that one and headed down stream. We switched back and forth
from salmon gear to steelhead gear with no other bites. Oh well , no biggy. We
were going to Chetco tomorrow and we'll get 'em there.
We put in up river at Nook
Bar on the Chetco Sunday morning. Oh , did I mention that the ground was frozen
solid. Any way off we went. We started off fishing for salmon again. With no
bites again. Same thing we switched back and forth all the way down the river
with no action. Just below the north fork of the Chetco Aaron hooked up with a
very nice steelhead. The darn thing drug us through three hole and runs before
we got him in the net. I ended up being a chrome bright 14 pound buck. That was
it.
Both rivers are in that
transition period between salmon and steelhead. Any day things can take off
though. I'm not heading back over to the coast until after the new year. I'll
keep you posted on what I can squeeze out of my buddies over there.
As far as the Klamath goes
, the river is in perfect condition and the fish are biting. I have not been out
myself for the last couple days , but I did catch a couple guys floating through
my back yard that gave me a good report. Most the boats that have been out are
getting 6 to 10 steelhead a day. I heard of a 12 pound steelie caught down near
Happy Camp last weekend. (While I was over on the coast trying to get a big
one!!)
I have some days open
around the holidays and during the rest of Dec. Give me a call and let's go
fishing.
Fish On,
Wally
November 28,
2006
Current
Report:
Hi Folks,
Well I hope everyone had a
great holiday weekend.
Things were just wonderful
up here on the Klamath. After eating way too much on Thursday , my two younger
daughters Emma and Jessica and I went fishing on Friday. We put in at a bright
and early time of 10:30 AM and was going to do a short drift. After fishing the
first three drifts the weather got down right cold and nasty. We already had
three fish , well Emma had three fish. (Jess got a few half pounders.) So we
opted for the truck and some warm drinks at home.
Over the weekend fishing
was up and down. On Saturday me and Billy Jespersen took some folks fishing down
near Happy Camp. Billy's crew hooked three or four steelies and lost them all.
Ending up with some small fish for the day. My guys were lucky enough to land
three of the five we hooked.
On Sunday Albert Kutzkey
and I took another party out near Seiad. When we put the boats in it was looking
like a fairly nice day ahead. When we got back to the boats after the shuttle we
had about two inches of snow on the boats. It snowed so hard I could barely see
the rod tips for about three hours. The snow finally let up and everyone could
see what they were doing again. During the short blizzard both boats got a
couple fish. When the snow stopped things turned on for a while. Al and I got
into one hole where we must have got six or more fish each. One of the guys in
my boat , Brad got one that was right at 28 inches long. That comes out to about
an eight pound steelhead. Which is a dandy , especially for the Klamath.
So today my daughter
Jessica and my friend Nels took another short trip down the river. While we were
moving the rigs Jess stayed at the boat and was fishing from the bank. When we
got back she was screaming about something. I thought she had stuck herself with
a hook. Not to worry , she only had nice steelhead along the bank
and wanted me to hurry up and take a picture before she let it go. The sun was
out when we started and things changed up shortly after. Check out the pictures
below.
Again , I'm heading over to
the Smith this coming weekend and fishing there for about a week. Then it's back
to the Klamath for some more steelie action until the first of the year. I do
have some openings and other guides available for the Klamath during Dec. This
can be some of the best steelhead to be had.
Fish On,
Wally
November 23,
2006
Current
Report:
Happy Turkey Day Everyone,
Well the Klamath River just
keeps pumping them out. Steelhead , I mean. We have had
quite a bit of weather pushing through lately. Only one day
was the river too dirty to fish below the Scott River. With
the river going up and down almost every other day it's been
a little tough out there at times. I had a couple days where
we only got a couple adults and some half pounders. Most of
the time we have been getting 6 to 8 nice steelies and a
hand full of half pounders ranging anywhere from 12 to 16
inches. Plenty of action. I have today and tomorrow off to
spend with my daughters. I think we'll go fishing. My
youngest , Jessica has been missing the river. She is going
to school in Wyoming and is home for a few days.
Here are some photos of the last weeks fishing adventures.
I'll be here on the Klamath until the first of Dec. Then
I'll be on the Smith for about a week or so. Then I'll
finish the year out here on the Klamath. After that it's off
to the coast for the duration until the end of March. If you
don't have your steelhead trips on the coast booked yet , I
suggest you get to it. The calendar is filling up fast.
Fish On,
Wally
November 12,
2006
Current
Report:
Hi Folks,
This last week
has been like riding a roller coaster. I had a couple days off
early this week. So like a good fishing guide , I went fishing.
Basically I hit a couple of my favorite spots in the early
morning and went to cut some fire wood later in the day. Anyway
there has been some big fish in the river and I thought I should
catch one. As usual it seem harder for me to catch a nice
steelie that to put other people on them. Oh well , the river is
in my back yard. I can go any time.
We've been getting some rain and even a little snow just above
the valley floor. The river has not come more than a hundred cfs
during the storms. The problem is when the river is on the rise
, the fish tend not to bite as well. So we have been getting a
little shot of rain about every other day. So the river has been
going up and down up and down. Making it a little tough to get
them. The last few days I have had fly fishermen out on the
river. I have to say it's been really tough to get those fish to
go for a fly. Along with the water bouncing around there are
allot of leaves in the river too. I had another boat out with me
the last couple days. Those guys were fishing bait and plugs.
Friday they did well and today it was a little tough for them
too. Between the two boats we only landed today we only landed
four adults. So it wasn't just the flies that were getting
ignored. All the fish were pretty good size and were fresher
than what we have been getting. So I'm thinking as the water
drops and clears we are in for some good fishing this coming
week. One good thing about this time of year and the weather is
there are always fresh fish on the way. All the way up and down
the river things should take off after these storms get done.
See you on the river.
Don't let the weather keep you in the house. Dress up warm and
dry and go get out there.
Fish On,
Wally
November 4,
2006
Current
Report:
Hi Folks,
Well here's what has been happening on the Klamath over the last
couple weeks. All that have been fishing this river have been
enjoying some of the best fishing that can be had. I would say the
daily average number of fish has been right around a dozen. That's
adult fish of course with a few half pounders on top of that. Most
of the folks fishing with me lately have been fly fishing. I've had
a hand full of bait guys also. I don't really think it matters what
you fish with you will catch something almost anywhere.
Right now it's raining and the river is on the rise. I imagine the
fishing will be a little tough for the next couple days. There is
allot of debris in the water and the fish don't like that. I'm
thinking after this storm things are going break wide open. I know
there are allot of fish down river and now they will get moving with
the fresh water.
Here are some pictures of the catches over the last couple weeks.
If it rains enough the Smith may open and that means big fish on the
line. I'm not heading over there until the first part of Dec. as I'm
booked here on the Klamath until after Thanks Giving.
Don't forget the steelhead will be making their way into the coastal
streams soon. So make your plans to go fishing over there soon. Or
you may be fishing from the bank.
Fish On,
Wally
October 20,
2006
Current
Report:
Hi Folks,
All I can say is
fishing on the Klamath River is pretty darn good right now. At
least it was today for Guy Davis. Guy fly fished all day long
yesterday and today with me. Yesterday was a bit slow. He landed
4 adults and some half pounders. I was thinking we should have
done a little better. This morning after a little equipment
adjusting it got better. We found a few groups of fish and Guy
put a clinic on. He ended up landing in the neighborhood of a
dozen adult steelies to six pounds and good number of half
pounders. I've been on the same drift for over a week and Guy is
fishing one more day , so we're going to try our luck up stream
a bit tomorrow. I can't imagine what a little bit of roe
would produce right now.
Get out of that easy chair and go fishing. The weather has been
beautiful and the fall colors are bursting with all kinds of
reds and yellows.
Fish On,
Wally
October 17,
2006
Current
Report:
Hi Fisher Folks,
I had a few days off this last week. I took some
time to go get my trailer at the lower river and get in a day of fishing
with my friend Ray Chew. That would have been Thursday the 12th. The best I
can tell the fishing down there is still going strong. I landed 8 or 10 fish
myself. Most of them were salmon and a couple steelies. So they are still
coming in.
Up river things are going great guns also. Today
I had two gents fishing and we decided to fish flies all day. At the end of
the day we came up with a grand total of 8 adult steelhead and a few half
pounders landed. There was at least that many fish that were hooked and
released a little early too. So we had to hook close to twenty steelhead.
The largest adult went right at 6 pounds and the smallest was about 2 1/2
pounds. This action will most likely just get better in the next couple
weeks. There are salmon spawning everywhere. If any one is wondering if the
salmon run was any good this year , all you need to do is float down the
river and start counting. The guys doing the surveys for the fish and
wildlife have their work cut out for them. I know they are just getting
started this week.
I still have a few days open in the next couple
weeks and also have some excellent guides working with me up here. So if any
of you get the urge to get in on some of this action give us a call or send
an email.
Fish On,
Wally
October 1 - 5,
2006
Current
Report:
Hey Everyone,
This last week has been a roller coaster ride up
river. After getting into some pretty good steelhead fishing last week
things changed up some here on the Klamath. On Oct. 1st the bureau of
reclamation released water into the Klamath raising the flows from near 800
cfs to 1310 cfs. The water was greatly needed and we are glad to have it.
(So is the bottom of my boat) Unfortunately when the river goes up the fish
don't bite very well. Monday I fished down river near Somes Bar and ended up
with only two adult steelhead. Two dandies though , both going near 6
pounds. Tuesday I moved back up to the Happy Camp area. Again a little slow.
We got two adults , again near 5 to 6 pounds and a couple half pounders.
Wednesday I went clear up to Iron Gate Dam to help out my buddy Billy
Jesperson with a big group. The guides up there said it had been a little
slow for the last few days also. Everyone was catching a few including my
boat. We got 4 adults to the boat and lost a few more. I talked to a friend
of mine that works at the hatchery and he told me several hundred fish
rushed into the hatchery the last few days. Gee I wonder where the fish
went? Not to worry , there are plenty more on the way. Every hole and run I
have been fishing has salmon jumping everywhere. As soon as the water
stabilizes we'll be back in them. More than likely that will be tomorrow.
The salmon and steelhead are still pouring into the mouth of the river. So
it's going to be a good season (in my opinion). I have some days open
in my boat and several other guides with days open for the next couple
months.
Get off the chair and go fishing.
Fish On,
Wally
September 28th
- 30th, 2006
Current
Report: Top of the Klamath to you!
Hi Folks,
Well I've spent
the last few days chasing steelies back up river near Happy Camp
and Seiad Valley. We have mostly been concentrating on fly
fishing. However, with all the salmon traveling through it's
pretty hard not to throw some roe out there and catch a few of
them too. Compared to the action on the lower river it was a bit
slow the first day. The last two days got better and better.
Thursday we got three adult steelies to six pounds and a couple
salmon. Friday was a little better with a couple more steelies
and salmon and some half pounders. Saturday we spent more time
fishing the flies and it paid off. By the end of the day we had
hooked into some where in the neighborhood of ten steelies
landing six nice adults and several half pounders.
The fishing here is only
going to get better and better. There is a bazzillion salmon moving through and
the steelies are in there with them. This steelhead season will be good through
the end of the year. If you want in on this action give me a call or email me.
Oh ya , did I mention there was ONE other boat out there on one day and the rest
of the time it was all ours.
Fish On,
Wally
September 24th,
2006
Current
Report: RELENTLESS ACTION!
Hi Fisher Folks,
Well the lower Klamath is still the
place to be fishing. (In my opinion) The jacks are snapping up
everything you throw at them and some real nice adult salmon and
steelhead are showing every day. The last couple days I had four
guys in the boat and we all had a blast. The guys told me to
land a couple because they didn't want to have all the fun while
I did all the work. There really isn't allot of work involved
right now. I don't know how long this can last , but I'm
enjoying while it does.
I'm heading up stream later
next week and I'll have a report from Seiad and Happy Camp. The word from some
of my buddies is they are already there. People are catching both salmon and
steelhead through out the system.
September 19th,
2006
Current
Report: NON-STOP KLAMATH ACTION!
Hi Folks,
Yesterday we
must have had at least 8 triple hook ups. Four of us landed
some where in the neighborhood of 30 plus fish. More big
ones are showing up. The one I'm holding was the biggest
about 12-15 LBS. The rest of the fish below are the larger
steelhead we caught. Although the video is short below it
was the first fish for this client. Now is the time to
take those first timers fishing on a Klamath river fishing
trip. Right now the river is red hot and showing no
signs of slowing down.
Fish On,
Wally
September 17th,
2006
Current
Report: Klamath On Fire!
Hi Folks,
A big push of
fish showed up last night and the whole river was on fire.
We hooked 5 fish in the first hole , only landing one. The
second place we fished we stayed there for about 3 hours. We
had four fish on at one time TWICE!! Almost all the fish
were jacks with 4 adults salmon to 15 pounds and one
hatchery steelhead that weighed close to 9 pounds. I didn't
keep count , but we had to land close to thirty fish and
probably lost that many.
I did see a
few fly fishermen with fish on also. So the steelies are
sneaking through too. This is some of the best action
that can be found in this part of the world maybe in the
world. There doesn't seem to be any slowing down in the
fishing. Give me a call or email to get in on some of this
world class fishing.
Fish On,
Wally
September 12th,
2006
Current
Report: Klamath Adult Salmon Starting to Show!
Hi Folks,
The fishing on the lower
Klamath continues to be awesome. The last couple days I've only
had a couple anglers in the boat and they had a blast. Each day
they must have landed in excess of 20 fish. Most of the fish are
jacks , but what fun they are. We got a little shot of
water from the Klamath side and the water came up about 600 CFS
for only about 12 hours and was dropped back down over the last
couple days. We have seen more adult fish lately and I'm
thinking the next few days we will begin seeing even more adult
salmon and steelhead entering the system.
Fish On,
Wally
wally@steelheadguides.com Seiad
Valley Guide Service
Wally and Jennifer Johnson
Post Office Box 676
Seiad Valley, California 96086
(530)-496-3291
