The Klamath River has long been a name that resinates with serious salmon and steelhead fisherman the world over. While it's 200 miles of classic riffles, pools and runs have been the spoils over which many political battles have been fought, when your on the river all the controversy is a world removed.  Flowing through Yurok Tribal lands for the lower 50 miles and then Klamath National Forest, it's a reminder of what the west once was. Raw, rugged and unbridled this area provides a spectacular backdrop for one of California's last salmon and steelhead strongholds.

While the entire river from Iron Gate Reservoir to Klamath Glen near tidewater offers great fishing, the middle section is my favorite and where I base my operation for the prime months of September and October.  Upriver around Iron Gate can offer great numbers but the quality of the fish has diminished after the long trip and they  don't fight as hard or taste as good.  The lower river offers a great fishery as well but the intense boat traffic can diminish the experience.  It's not uncommon to be launching with 75 other jet boats in the morning and at times you have to wait in line for your turn to fish a hole.  While plenty of fish get caught, the constant roar of engines and the barrage of boat wakes detracts from the whole experience.   The middle river offers great fishing for bright, ocean fresh fish without the crowds.   While I can't predict who will be on the river, the norm is to have only another boat or two sharing a 10 mile section of water for the day and it's not uncommon to have the whole drift to yourself. 

   

Despite the heated controversies and negative press surrounding salmon and steelhead in the past few years, the Klamath River still boasts strong runs of both and offers some of the best fishing on the west coast.  Adult steelhead normally run 4 to 10 pounds with an occasional fish pushing into the mid teens.  Immature steelhead called "halfpounders" also make a strong showing on the Klamath and on some years (like 2008) 50 of the 12 to 18 inch scrappers a day aren't uncommon.  Sidedrifting small clusters of salmon roe from the driftboat is frequently the most productive method for steelhead but plugs like hot shots and wiggle warts are also effective as are flies.   Fly fishers favor 6 to 8 wt rods with an intermediate sink tip or floating line for swinging local patterns like silver hiltons, brindle bugs, and herniators.  King (or chinook) Salmon on the Klamath range from 3 pound "jacks" (2 year old males) to monsters over 40 pounds.  Backbouncing and sidedrifting roe and backtrolling kwickfish are deadly effective on these big chrome missiles.  In addition, silver (or coho) salmon offer a neat bonus and provide the opportunity for a Grand Slam.  While not as numerous as the kings they do make a strong showing on most years and frequently grab spinners or small plugs.

   

On top of the great fishing, the wilderness scenery and wildlife sightings round off the Klamath River experience.  Black tailed deer, foxes, otters, bald and golden eagles and osprey are all common sightings and bobcats, mountain lions and ring-tailed cats are more elusive but not uncommon.   Overall, the middle Klamath in the fall is one of the best fishing destinations in the west and there is no better way to see the river and catch it's fish than a driftboat adventure.