Klamath River Spring Run

Looking for advise on times for the Klamath river salmon spring run. Looked online and found recommendations for Mid May.

Hope someone can chime in so that I may be able to narrow in my stay there. Vacation time is very limited where I work.   

I haven't been there in decades. Early 70's. My father would take us there for the fall run. Late August early September. Would like to get him back there. He is in his 70's now.

Due to other obligations I will have to try for the spring run instead off the fall run.

Even if we don't hit the salmon run. There is always perch fishing on the ocean side. Of course I am talking about the mouth of the Klamath.

We use to stay at Dad's camp back in the day. I believe that is the Yurok tribe that ran the camp. That time of of year was a huge celebration for them. We would attend a ceremony that they held. After the ceremonies, it was all you could eat smoked salmon that had been done that day.  Was very disappointed when it was all washed away in the 80's.

Look forward to any input.

Alex

 

Lies , Bullshit stories, You saw an alien there once, caught a bullhead there,  something ? 62 reads and nothing. Bah !!1   

Alex

Lies , Bullshit stories, You saw an alien there once, caught a bullhead there,  something ? 62 reads and nothing. Bah !!1   

Alex

You lost me! 

I haven't fished the springer run on the Klamath, but the reports I read said it was very slow these last couple years.  You can check out Steve Huber's website to see the timing for his springer reports.  His 2011 and 2012 reports have him fishing the Klamath starting in late May.

http://www.stevehuberguideservice.com/

Yes,

That's a start.  Thanks Clayman. Really looking forward to getting my Pop's up there. Hopefully we will get some more even needed rain fall that may trigger something this year. I know it really depends on the last 3 years or so for a good return of salmon and we really haven't had much rainfall the previous years. Would be nice, but just spending time out there with pops is good enough. As they say.. fish is a bonus. Be good ta get up there and reflect on the times we spent up there.. 

Advise Sonny, advise ...

Alex

Well , the more searches I do the more it seems that the fall run would be ideal. Since august is a no go. I think I will now lean more towards early September.

for 10 plus years I have traveled to the Smith river with my father. He has a cousin with a cabin up there and we would alwaysget a guide to  fish the smith river but did travel down to the Klamath river for a few trips. We always got a guide , was a lot of money but always worth it, a couple big names I would follow and research, Mike coopman guide services, he has a lot of connects up there, here is a link to his facebook page . Not a big fan of him but Kevin brock would be good to look at for more information 


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Coopmans-Guide-Service/77243544997


im sure that is not the right way to post it, but im a few drinks in and that works good enough!

Thanks for the info Mr Clamper.  My Neighbor is a Clamper. Cheers !
I continue my intel gathering can not wait till I am able to return to the Klamath.

 One year that we were there, the bait fish ( smelt ) were so thick that all other types of species of fish were close to shore.

We were catching large red tail perch. I was so stoked. I went waist deep into the surf and launched one deep. Next thing I know my 12 foot surf rod is doubled over with a slow tug like a shark. Im thinking, dam. I just wasted that cast on a shark. Then my line starts raising like the fish is gonna jump. 3rd breaker out, sure enough it jumps.... 5 foot green sturgeon. It rolls trying to wrap the line around its large scaly thorns.I quickly walk backwards on the beach to turn him as he is sideways to me. Reel him in to the beach to have my Dad grab him under the jaw. People on the beach are all stoked as we all celebrate. 

Sounds like a fish story, but the very next day. I hit a halibut from the same area that we lost at the surf. Later in the day as we walked up to are camp site. There was a halibut carcass in the water at one of the cleaning stations up the river. That was a great year. Of course I am talking the late 70's.

Have to find that pic to post. No pic. Didn't happen.

Thanks again for the reply.

Alex

Clampers don't lie

Seriouly Mike Coopman is top notch. The dude have never lost at arm wrestling. Just ask him

It's been a while since I've been up there for the Springers but I used to fish with Dan Carter(not around anymore)  but Mike Thomas is. (www.lunkerfishtrips.com/) He was always fun to fish with.

Also check http://littleraystacklebox.com/ Tony Chew runs the place (local tackle shop at the Klamath Glen) He could guide you or point you in the right direction. He's the man!
Good luck

Thank you for the reply Rockroach. Like your avatar. That is an awesome dog !
Appreciate the info. My neighbor the clamper never lies either. .

My father would back troll at the mouth of the river in his little aluminum. There was always a dfw boat right at the mouth just in case someone's engine stalled and they were in jeopardy of being swept out to the ocean or run a ground with he possibility of worse. On occasion we would combat fish with the crowds on the shore. Throwing three ways with spoons. Some people don't care for that type of fishing. I thought it was very cool and orchestrated as you had to keep in rhythm with the other fisherman beside you. If you didn't and tangled with the guy next ta you. Ya looked like a NEWB. 

And of course like I mentioned . If the salmon weren't running. You always had the surf to fish from. I really didn't know much about steel head fishing back then, but seen some great reports out of the Klamath for steel head. Honestly don't know much about steel head fishing now.  . Some would say I don't know much about the species I fish now.    Have a hard enough time trying to keep up with all the other species here in the Monterey bay.

Alex

Clampers don't lie

Seriouly Mike Coopman is top notch. The dude have never lost at arm wrestling. Just ask him

It's been a while since I've been up there for the Springers but I used to fish with Dan Carter(not around anymore)  but Mike Thomas is. (www.lunkerfishtrips.com/) He was always fun to fish with.

Also check http://littleraystacklebox.com/ Tony Chew runs the place (local tackle shop at the Klamath Glen) He could guide you or point you in the right direction. He's the man!
Good luck

lunker fish trips! didn't Mick close the bait shop up there? I could be wrong but I thought I heard that.

 

Pic equals it did happen.   Talkin bout rockin that 70's Dewww. Bro !

Green sturgeon ..

I kinda look like one of the Native Indians back then. 

Alex

Great photo Alex. We probably ran into each other on the Klamath back then and don't know it.

I haven't fished the Spring run on the Klamath in many years, but another good idea would be to go up the road a ways and fish the Springers on the Rogue River. They have a good strong run and May is usually the peak. Good fighters and great eating to boot. You can get a 1 day non-resident license pretty cheap. I would love to see your Dad get into some fish! Best of luck!

I've fished with Gary and Val Early, both in Oregon and in Alaska. Both excellent fishermen.

http://www.earlyfishing.com/

NotaSeal

Thanks for the reply Notaseal.

Great memories there. Definetly take a look into your advise. The Rogue River sounds interesting. Will do some research on that area. Are you talking about inland or closer to the ocean. Would like to stay closer to the ocean just in case we would like to fish the surf.

Can hardly wait . Wether its may or sept.. .

I remember one year  we were down at the klamath. There was a guy camping near us. He did expo's and sold knives with carvings. But what really stood out was that the blades themselves were a damascus style. Should have taken advantage of the pricing he had then. Wouldnt even be able to touch those prices now a days.

Alex