The Fish Sniffer

(Hornbrook) Though anglers are still hooking salmon and steelhead in the lower Klamath, the hottest action is available now in the upper stretch from below the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery to the Klamathon Bridge.

“We’re bagging 20 to 30 kings per day,” said Phil Desautels of Smiling Phil’s Guide Service. “The fish are still in pretty good shape and range in size from 10 to 25 pounds. It’s really easy fishing.”

Desautels has been back bouncing roe for his fish. “I’m using eggs with Fish Pills,” said Desautels.

“We’re seeing about one 2 to 4 pound steelhead caught by anglers fishing for salmon each day, but nobody’s targeting steelhead now,” he added.

 “Salmon fishing on the upper Klamath river has been outstanding,” confirmed Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service. “Since my last report salmon on the river has improved to the point that one can be picky about what fish to keep to fill out a limit of 4 per person. 

“Salmon are biting mostly on roe (bounced or backtrolled behind a diver), but well placed plugs such as Kwikfish are picking up fish as well,” he noted. “Fish size has ranged from 10 to 22 pounds.” 

The weather has been great starting out with cool mornings and working into hot afternoons.