Steelhead Season on the Rogue, Klamath & Umqua

Great Steelheading on the Rogue, Klamath and Umpqua

Fire is a regular visitor to the Klamath

Fire is a regular visitor to the Klamath

When I look in the background of literally most of my river pictures its easy to see the evidence of fire… A ridge top here, a fire scar there.

It seems nearly every year now though there is is a fire on the Klamath. Much of it goes un-noticed, just the hassle of poor air quality and red flag alerts. But its particularly acute when it affects the people and communities that live along the Klamath. Hornbrook in 2018. Happy Camp in 2021 and now Klamath River in 2022. 

I’m stricken imagining what it must have been like for the folks who lived in the fires path, using the road just behind me here to flee west and away. 

On the day it blew up I was just 20 miles upriver and watching the pycrocumulus flare …

I have learning from being in and immersed in the Klamath’s landscape for months at a time each year that fire comes and fire goes. It shouldn’t be this frequent and intense, but it also is no stranger.

Three times now, I’ve literally been on the water when blazes started. Every year I’ve been astounded at this places fortitude and ability to spring back.

I’m heartened it appears the worst has passed. And I know as has been proven each year time and time again that the Klamath is as resilient a river as any that exists. It’s fish are no stranger to adversity. In spite of everything we can throw; Dams, toxic algae, disease, climate change, fires and floods, the river and its fish persist.

Hang in their K - it sounds like the ocean has been good to your offspring, and luckily, most are still out to sea. And a little relief so you can breath again is just around the corner at last. 

So hang in there, Klamath, you got this…

Klamath Dam Removal one step closer

Thrilled to be part of the largest dam removal in US history and helping along the vision of a post dam Klamath River!

Klamath River Update

The Klamath river has been in the news of late. Dam removal, imperiled fish, drought and the socio-political-environmental convergence here are launching the Klamath into the spotlight as it hasn’t been in 20 years. 

In 2001, the Klamath faced a similar water predicament as it does today. Three competing interests for water, then, as now. They are:

1. Lake elevation for endangered suckers

2. Irrigation water for nearby agriculture

3. Consistent and healthy flows for endangered Salmon below Irongate Dam

Drought years in the Klamath basin typically mean water scarcity and friction between the three interests. 2021 is no different. The scarcity usually translates into only two of the three interests having their way. Winners and losers. It’s decided after much politicing and stakeholder wrangling, federal, state and private.

In 2001, after water allocation was all decided, the irrigation canal spigots were turned off so Upper Klamath Lake could maintain minimum elevation for suckers and to allow sufficient flows for Salmon down stream.

However, this verdict was not to last and then Vice President Dick Cheney visited the Klamath and arranged for the irrigators to receive a water delivery at the expense of tribes and fish. The lower river did not receive adequate flow that season and a horrific salmon fish kill ensued.

There is a major difference now, compared to 2021, even though the water allocation conclusion is the same. It is unlikely Dick Cheney will ride in and turn the Irrigators’ spigots back on for the project, so flows should not decrease through the river below the lake this year.

The Lake has barley enough water to maintain minimum elevation. Its debatable if flushing flows could or could not be delivered without detriment to the suckers. Their recruitment has been very low over the last many years in spite of elevations being maintained…

Disease numbers are very high below Irongate Dam this year, and the point of the flushing flows is to dilute the disease concentration which is at its highest when smolt out migrate. No flushes this year will lead to higher infection rates, and lower returns in a few years. However, even if there was some immediate change and a flush occurred, it was due several weeks ago for maximum efficacy. Much of the damage to smolt below Irongate Dam has already been done. Wild populations are much more resilient to disease at least, and the Klamath fish are as wild as it gets. The hatchery salmon stock is gonna have a rough time. No new news there.

It does appear that in-river flows through the canyons and below Irongate dam will be sufficient through the summer and fall. I see little change from normal for the trout reaches. Flows below Irongate should help ward against a dewatered river like in 2001, which greatly contributed to the fish kill event.

 This year’s drought again increases the urgency of a swift removal of Boyle, but especially the Copcos and Irongate Dam. They are the primary perpetrators creating disease and algae plaguing the waters below Irongate Dam. Removal will allow cool, spring fed waters originating in the upper canyon reaches where we trout fish and greatly improve water quality down stream. With improved water quality in the lower reaches, flushing flows my no longer be as crucial for anadromous fish and lessen the pinch for water. 

I’m still greatly optimistic about the Klamath, it has a very bright future ahead. In spite of the dreadful news for some parts of the river, is still as enchanting as ever in others.

Fall Steelhead Magic

Fall is a wonderful time to be on the water. The air is crisp, the water cool, the colors bright. The fishing can be pretty darn good too!

Join us for a memorable trip fly fishing the Rogue, Klamath Umpqua and Beyond…

Simple Steelhead Muddler

I think the more fishing we do, the more we learn the specifics matter less, and the general idea often gets the job done. That’s the deal with the classic Muddler minnow, especially for steelhead. It’s simple, impressionistic, and can be fished and tied in a variety of ways to best suit your local waters. Here’s how to tie a varient I use on my local Steelhead waters, fished up top or with a tip on the swing.

Have fun!

Brandon

Step 1: Gather materials

-Dark Deer Hair, Diamond Braid, thread wax, maribou (any color, this one uses burnt orange) Steelhead hook. Note: If you plan to fish this on the surface, consider a lighter guage hook. Use heavy thread for this tie, I like Veevus 140.

Step 2: Snip a small clump of hair for the tail and tie in at the point of the hook below, allow it to extend past the bend of the hook a bit. Tie in several inches of Diamond braid. You will palmer this towards the eye to make the body next…

Step 3: Palmer the diamond braid up the body to the return of the eye and tie off.

Step 4: Tie in a small clump of Maribou even with the tail, then tie in a small clump of deer hair over the top of the bou’ for an over wing. Less is more here …

Step 5: Leave enough room here for a generous amount of spun deer hair for the collar and head.

Grab a liberal hank of deer hair…

Step 6: Spin the deer hair. Wrap lightly around the shank and hair once, softly, then continue a second wrap, slightly more pressure. Third wrap, harder still allowing the hair to spin around the shank of the hook and the thread to tighten up. Continue tension for a 4th wrap through the hair until the thread is clear of the hair.

Step 7: Trim hair. This is where you decide how you want the head to look. Leave a lot of hair and this thing will push a ton of water, but a tighter trimmed head casts easier. Either way, trim up the butts with your scissors and admire the result. Then, tie one on and let er’ rip!

Happy tying,

Brandon

Five Favorite Flies for Fall in Northern California

Good Friend and former guide Craig Nielsen writes a great read about choosing flies for fall fishing in the North State.

http://www.shastatrout.com/five-favorite-flies-for-fall-in-northern-california-2

Rogue Steelheading Under Smokey Skies

Summer Steelhead fishing is very good under smokey skies in the Rogue Valley. Depending on wind direction, the smoke varies between clear, blue skies and the campfire following beauty...

Every run feels fishy right now.

Fishing in Smoke is much like fishing on a cloudy day, if you can bear it. Yesterdays fish came at 12pm and 2pm.

Tight lines,

Brandon Worthington

Fly-Only on the Rogue River is just 48 days away!

But who's counting anyways.

Trout on the Mind

There is a time each season to turn the page. But at least for me it's just a few pages. Fresh Summer Steelhead will be back in two months on the Rogue, and I can't wait!

Trout season is vamping up in the state of Jefferson with many options for fishing. Locally, the Salmon flies and Golden Stones are working their way up river on the Rogue. While the main stem is still closed for another week, the Holy Water is open and fishing well. Farther south, folks are getting in their casts on rivers like Hat Creek, and Sacramento among others.

Recently I headed north to fish a river I had only wet a line in many years ago. The Mckenzie is what all the guide books say it is. Beautiful, clear, cold and productive. The native Redband trout here are as pretty as anywhere I've seen. They're also incredibly strong for their size.

Mckenzie Redband Trout

Craig Nielsen with one of dozens

But even with the all the Trout fishing to be done, never discount the Klamath for a nice day out swinging flies for steelhead. Bevan, all the way from Tasmania wanted to swing flies and is pretty darn accomplished for not having any native salmonids to target! We had a really productive day with four good fish hooked and several other yanks. The Klamath never ceases to amaze.

Bevin from Australia for some late spring chrome on the Klamath

Bevin BENT with some late Spring Chrome!

Third Sunday Spey put on by The Ashland Fly Shop

Third Sunday Spey, put on by the Ashland Fly Shop this Sunday was a success too. A few guys showed up and got tuned up. This is really one of the coolest things a shop can do to keep people stoked on getting out on the river with the long rod. 

Ashland Fly Shop Delivery Service

Rogue River Salmonfly Hatch

Just around the corner, the upper Rogue River opens for general trout fishing. I'm booked opening weekend but have some dates scattered through out the last of May and early June if you are interested in a float trip. Awesome fun!

760-424-9682

Klamath River Recap

Here's a brief slideshow of my last month, spent mostly on The Klamath River. I have to admit, I was a little spoiled. Being run out of the Scott River Lodge, a five-star accommodation with Chef's cooking allowed me to focus on the best parts of being a Steelhead Guide. Thanks to all the fine folks I had the pleasure of fishing with, Tailwalker Fly Fishing,  Mike Folden of Freedom on the Fly, and Craig Nielsen of Shasta Trout.

The more time I spend on a river, the more it seeps into my core. Like when it rains on a cotton sweater, at first the drops bead up, temporarily warded. But as the mist continues, the drops coalesce and become larger before sinking into the fabric leaving a dark trace of where they had rested, just above the surface.

The more time I wade a river and feel its tug behind and around my legs, the more memories and fondness I have for it. After these last four weeks on the Klamath River, I am more drawn there than ever before.

Georgeous Klamath River Hen. I got a kiss on the Cheek for this one.

Rivers have many sides, as complex as any personality. At times, the river had a predictable steady mood. In others, secretive, key thrown out of reach and lost.

Though I'm more inclined to think it was this family of otters...

Art's First Steelhead on the Swing

Deep Breath

Who says you can't swing flies from the boat?

Hey Derek, I think the term is "Corked!"

Mike Folden with a Freedom on the Fly Klamath Buck. Check out his awesome lodge on the Scott River, The Fin & Horn Lodge.

It was this big!

Well, maybe this big

When you seek Steelhead, no matter the river, there is always an element of variability. I have come to expect and look forward to it. It's what makes Steelhead angling so satisfying. That you can't walk up to a piece of water and say, "there's a big one here, eating zebra midges that lives behind that rock," may not be for everyone. But for those that like surprise encounters with something new, because each Steelhead we find is almost always a new face, it's the promise your fishing will never be stale, and each opportunity you get with these magical creatures will be memorable.