As the holidays approach, our thoughts turn to our family, friends, and favorite winter activities. At this time, I would like to take a moment to catch you up on what we’ve been doing - we’ve fished three rivers since the last newsletter, and also give a brief preview of what fishing opportunities are on the horizon.
Klamath River - We began fishing the Klamath in mid-August and there were already good numbers of salmon and steelhead in the river. On September 5th, at about 10:00 A.M., the salmon flooded the lower river in numbers that I haven’t seen since my guiding days in Alaska. Literally thousands of fresh, chrome-bright fish were marching through the lower three miles of river, and the fishing was as impressive as the sight we were witnessing.
That day in early September was the apparent start of what we all thought was going to be a dream season. For two weeks the fishing was about as good as anyone could ever hope for, and the size of the fish was the largest that I have ever seen on the Klamath. John Murphy’s 47 pounder, Jonah Katz’s 40 pounder, Rick Hermenson’s, Cathy Migglio’s and Jackie Hartman’s 38 pounders are testament to the kind of season we were having.
Then, almost overnight, we had salmon dying everywhere. We first noticed it on the 18th, and, before anyone did anything, the banks of the river were lined with an estimated 33,000 dead salmon. Here’s what happened: The Bureau of Reclamation came out with their new water allocation plan for the Klamath River that proposed a reduction in water releases into the river in favor of increased water to farming interests in the upper Klamath basin. The National Marine Fisheries Service, who I believe sold us (fishermen, Native Americans, and everyone whose lives are affected by the salmon runs) out, had established a minimum flow requirement to protect the salmon of 1,300 cubic feet per second and suddenly signed off on the BOR’s proposal that cut the flows nearly in half.
With the reduced flows, lower water oxygen content and seasonally warm water temperatures, the large number of salmon packed into the lower river became reluctant to migrate upstream. Stressed, the overcrowded fish became susceptible to two gill deteriorating bacteria, Ich and Columnaris. With their gills eaten away, the salmon essentially suffocated to death. What saved the remainder of the Klamath River season was a very strong run of steelhead.
Trinity River - I arrived at the Trinity on October 8th. Brice Dusi, who works with me on the Trinity, had been fishing there for over a week prior to my arrival, and his reports regarding the salmon run were not encouraging. The fact is that even though we did catch a few salmon, the bulk of the Trinity River salmon run lay dead in the Klamath. Our steelhead fishing for the month remained good to excellent and was what enabled us to show everyone a good time despite the lack of salmon. My last day on the Trinity was November 2nd and concluded a six week period that, emotionally, was the toughest that I’ve endured in sixteen years of guiding.
Smith River - The Smith was plagued by low water for all but four days in November and early December. That is not to say, however, that we didn’t have some very good fishing for some massive salmon. I fished the Smith for three days when there was actually enough water and current to drift. Tom Armstrong and Lonnie Woodleaf, on November 10th and 11th, were a combined 12 for 20 on salmon to thirty pounds.
Once the river dropped to a point that drifting was not an option, the fishing was concentrated to a 3/4 mile-long hole in tidewater. We caught big salmon every day (there were very few under twenty pounds) through the first week of December and there are a few worth noting. Tony Guan and Ted Mason landed 47 and 48 pounders respectively. Those were the largest fish caught. . . by the men. The women had the best luck for big fish all Fall it seemed, and they really did well on the Smith. Jill Fiedelman caught a 48 pounder on November 22nd, Theresa McLean got a 45 pounder on December 1st and Denise Steinbrenner’s 52-1/2 pound monster on December 2nd was the largest salmon taken in my boat this year.
What’s on Tap
Steelhead – Beginning now and continuing through the end of March, I’ll be offering drift boat trips for steelhead. This is a season that always books heavily, and you really shouldn’t wait to make your reservation if you are planning to go steelhead fishing this winter. Last winter we had the best steelhead season I can remember. I fully expect another great season as it seems our fishing just gets better every year.
Stripers - From April 19th through May 10th, once again, I’ll be running light-tackle striped bass trips in the Colusa area of the Sacramento River. Stripers are excellent eating, hard fighting, and can reach weights well in excess of thirty pounds.
In closing, what happened on the Klamath last September was, in my opinion, inexcusable. It is important to note that this was the first year of a ten-year plan. I have included the names and addresses of those who need to know that thirty to forty thousand dead salmon is not acceptable. If you saw the photos or witnessed the death first hand and the spirit moves you, a short letter to these people would be appreciated and might help insure that this tragedy isn’t repeated.
• Gale Norton, Secretary U.S. Dept. of Interior,1849 C St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 GaleNorton@nps.doi.gov, 202-208-7351
• Bill Hogarth-NOAA/NMFS, 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
• Kirk Rogers-U.S Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, Ca. 95825-1846
Lisa and I wish you the happiest of holidays and invite you to check out our new website at www.johnklar.com.
Good Fishing,
John Klar
