Anyone catching summer runs from the Kalama right now? Are any fall kings showing up? Is the canyon stretch or lower(beginners hole/Red Barn) area kicking out the most fish?


Thanks!

give prichards western anglers a calll..they give an updated report

Thats right, call Pritchards and get the same old generic info, Buy our sandshrimp and fish from Red barn to Beginners hole.

The Kalama is a great river if you put in your time and be prepared to us switch to different set up's. Some days I do good with eggs with a spilt shot and other it could be small spinners or Jig and bobber. We go there every month and some days we catch them and other we leave for the Toutle.

And if theat doesn'work, use the secret prawns (right Fish Addict!). They are catching right now. Saw three steelies knocked out of one hole while scouting it the other day. Wasn't fishing, time tight. Chrome steelies they were.

~steelyMann~

Well fish addict you are a complete a**. Wayne and Barbara Orzel have run that store for the last twenty years and have been completely at the beckon call for fisherman. That store stays open through the dead of winter and the river is blown completely out and yet they are open to serve that one possible fishermen who might need some type of gear, hot drink, or emergency phone access. To make a comment like you made is way out of line. What kind of motivation does a guy need to knock a business that is giving the public a courteous gesture by updating river conditions and giving a general idea of what is going on, fishing, weather, and gear wise.That fishing report is not a 900 number that you get charged for it is a free service to the public. The person giving that reports takes time out of their day to update it and give a synopsis of what is goin gon in under a inute or two. That is pretty nice to do if you ask me. (360-673-4690) Too make a comment like that is uncalled for and I would like to see you walk into Prichards and look Wayne in the eye and say that exact same thing. The"PLease by our sand shrimp" comment,well bud if they weren't their to provide it I am sure you would be the kind of guy to ***** about that too. I sure am hot about this one and you owe Prichards an apology. Prichards puts 100% effort in and gets a miniscule thanks for the services they provide. That fishing report is not placed in their for you to be able to have an immediate update so you can go murder fish it is placed there to give input on the general status of the river and the species in it. My name is Jack kennedy and if you or any one else would like to privately debate this, fine e mail me at jackypoo23@hotmail.com.

I stopped in last winter on my first time to the Kalama. Barbara was nicer to me than anyone at any of the sporting goods stores I have ever been to in this state specifically when nosing around for local info. I was in a suit and tie returning from Portland on business and that type of dress usually gets you treated like less than dirt in rural areas. I like to give my money to people like that and will go out of my way to do it generally.

My own Pritchard's experience is this...

When I call, they tell me the river conditions and general areas of activity...or inactivity, as the case may be. I've been told everything from "Get down here now!" to "Don't bother...call again in a few days"...

Of course, they can't catch the fish for me, but I haven't been misled by them as far as I can tell, and this is in nearly 20 years of fishing down there.

Since they always give me what I would consider good information, I always stop in when I'm down there...if I don't need any gear, I'll buy a drink and a candy bar...or a bag of swivels (can't ever have too many). They must have seen a million fish that anglers bring by, but they often ask to see my fish when I'm there, and they always seem genuinely excited for me that the day was successful.

Remember back when they used to have polaroids all over the walls? I was away at college for a few years back in the late 80's and hadn't been in for a while...and all the pictures had changed. Whoever was behind the counter said "you look familiar...hang on a second" and dug through a box. He found a few pics of me with steelhead and salmon, and handed 'em over...I still have them.

I don't know them, and they don't know me, but they've always treated me nicely, and I'll keep calling them and stopping by when I'm down there.

Fish on...

Todd

I always had excellent service from Pritchards when I would stop in on my way to the river. They always provided me with reports based on what had been reported to them. Quite often naming names of the people who reported on the fishing. I haven't been there in several years but it is still one of the few rivers I REALLY like to fish. I also ALWAYS stop at Pritchards to buy something just to help them along. There have been times when I was thinking of heading down that way and when I called them they said the river was out of shape and that it should be coming into shape in a day or two. Saved me a 4 hour drive!

My guess is that yes the Kings are starting to show and that the summer run fishing is dependant on how bad the river got blown by the rain.

I believe jackiepoo is right on the money.

Thank you very much, float and jig I was a little scared about posting there but the Corzel's have done a lot for me and I couldn't stand back and let there name and pride and joy be mudded like that, not now not ever. And it is so awesome to hear those good stories, it gives me a shiver thinknig about the river and the relationships I have with the people that have showed me the beauty the Kalama river has to offer, I just talked with Wayne and he said that he hasn't seen the river in drift boatable shape in August for over twenty years. That is awesome considering it opens so many doord for fishing styles for the incoming kings, late steelies, and soon to be silvers. Can't wait.

My bad I posted too quickly and mispelled Wayne and Barbara's last name it should read Orzel