I'm going to be down near the Klick for a few days over the coming weekend, and I've never fished it before.

Is there anything going on there this time of year? I guess it's open for jacks and hatchery steelhead, and I'd be happy to fish for either, if anything's there.

I'll find my own spots, unless anyone wants to enlighten me. I'm mainly wondering if it's worth my time to go.

Thanks!

Fish on...

Todd
Wild Steelhead Coalition

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: Todd ]

E-mail me Todd.. i can give you a few hints
roba26@hotmail.com

okay, me and my bro went down there yesterday and today...and it sucked pretty hardcore. but then again, we were also like you not knowing very much about the river. everyone we talked to wasn't getting anything either (including guys in driftboats) so, i don't know. i guess it was really good last week, but its really hot up there right now and the waters kinda murky. but hey, good luck if ya head on up there!

Todd,

If you are getting to the Klickitat via Goldendale, look on a map of the area. You will see a road turning to the right that has signs that say Klickitat wildlife viewing area. Take that road and follow it all the way down into the canyon. You will pass a campground on the left that has some good bank access, although I forget the name of it,it's pretty easy to find. Keep going on the main road, and you will come to a bridge that has good access on either side of the river. There is a campground here too,
and the deep hole just upstream from the bridge usually holds a fish or two. If you keep going on the main road, about 10 miles up, look for a sign pointing to the state hatchery, which is on the right, down a VERY steep dirt road. There is a fishing deadline cable accross the river downstream of the hatchery, and there is some good pocket water there as well. I hope I didn't offend anyone by accidentally posting there favorite fishing spot. The campgrounds on the Klickitat are pretty popular and there is a whole lot of river in that area to scout out.

Good luck,

Mark

Thanks for the info, fellas, and especially thanks for the e-mail, Rob.

I'll let you know how I do.

Fish on...

Todd Ripley
Wild Steelhead Coalition

Well, I got in about six hours on Saturday. By 1 pm it was nearly 100 degrees, but the river was running at about 18 inches of visibility, compared to less than 10 on Friday.

Started out by the Hwy 142 bridge ten miles east of Klickitat, caught nothing. A creel checker came by and said he had seen three, one just above me.

Hit the store in Klickitat for more bait and cold drinks, then headed downstream. At the next 142 bridge west of town I parked at the boat launch and fished down a mile or so.

Caught and released a 9-10 pound native and a little jack hatchery steelie, maybe 17 or 18 inches. Not too bad considering visibility was worsening as the day got hotter and hotter.

Pretty river and scenery. Very, very hot.

Fish on...

Todd
Wild Steelhead Coalition

I've got a quick question about the Klickitat. Does anyone know if all the fall silvers in it are wild? I thought I remembered someone on this board last year saying they were. Thanks.

Krome Brite,

My experience fishing the Klickitat for Silvers is that there is a mix of both but I have caught far more hatchery than Wild fish. It is a fun fishery from the mouth all the way on up the river when the Silvers start coming in.

Sambo

I'll be heading over there at the end of the month as my dad lives in Goldendale. Love to try a float dowm could anybody relay any words of caution. I've scoped out most of the public access point for launching upper and lower. Let me know

Oxcamp1,
AS you can imaging, it's low and getting lower. Also, this time of year the river usually blows out late morning to early afternoon due to glacial melt. Visibility can easily go to less than a foot and that makes it very difficult to see rocks. You can really bang the hell out of your boat if you don't know exactly where to go. So if you're not familiar enough with the river to know where the deeper slots are, I'd advise you do a quick morning float rather than an all day one, especially if you're in a drift boat.

There are, in my opinion, two important things about the klickitat: (1) it is usually fairly clear when the freezing level is below 10,000 feet. Above 11,000 feet it can be ugly. (2) there is a hell of a sweeper in the river just below Stimson Flats campground/launch. It has eaten several boats including one that I pulled two people out of and another run by a professional. It is on the outside of the first curve below Stimson. I go to the inside above it and get out of my boat and walk it around. I don't think it is runable due to low water on the inside. The remainder of the river is no worse than class 3 but there are sharp rocks in low water and there can be additional trees. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply Sambo. I think I might just have to try fishing in the fall there this year.