Ok, I'm going to be fishing the Kalama this Saturday. Should I be targeting springers or steelhead? I just want to catch fish. Also, should I target up high in the canyon, or do you think the fish would be in the lower river? Thanks for any advise.

I may try to get to the Kalama either Friday or Sunday morning. But if the flows are low on the Lewis, I may hit that instead.

On the Kalama, there will be some fish in the canyon, but the best bet is down lower, i.e. from Pritchard's to Modrow Bridge. The springers will probably be there but the numbers were expected to be very low (1500 to 2000 total). Given the low counts in the rest of the Columbia Basin, I suspect the forecast is accurate. There are probably more steelhead available, likely a combination of both kelts (dark, post-spawning adults) and fresh summer-runs.

If you're using hardware, Pixie spoons and bright spinners (green, pink, orange)are best. If you're using software, bring plenty of shrimp since both steelhead and springers will hit them. Eggs work well too, particularly when they're rigged on a rag.

None of this is a secret so I'm hoping other Kalama River anglers don't come unglued because of the info I'm providing. Good luck.

There were plenty of steelhead in the canyon last Friday and Saturday. A mix of old, middling and new fish. Only the odd salmon, which, if present, are more probably down low, although the deeper holes up in the canyon have been rumored to have provided an opportunity or two.

I fish mostly in the canyon, so that's mostly what I know. We did well on the steelhead using sandshrimp. Conditions were pretty good up there for flyfishing, also.

You can get a recorded report on river conditions and fishing from Prichard's Western Angler, 360-673-4690, it's usually current.