If you can get away on short notice, it might be worth your while to try the Kalama now. Fished both Saturday and Sunday and both days were very, very good. 3 fish on Saturday, 5 fish on Sunday. All natives, all bright. The largest was about 12-15 pounds.

I fished the deadline stretch up in the canyon and from the red barn down around the bend. On Sunday, at the deadline, just after sun-up was able to stand in one spot and catch 3. This was fishing into the tail-out from the rapids in mid-stream.

I used sandshrimp under a float, except for one fish on a spoon in the flats down from the deadline.

I can't imagine the river being in much better shape or the fishing being much better, up and down the river. It is prime and seems to be happening right now. Good Luck!!




[This message has been edited by T Dodge (edited 03-13-2000).]

Thanks for the tip. I fished the canyon on friday for a few hours below painted rock hooked a big one but the 8lb test was no match for the fish. I will try dead line at dark thirty wednesday. I hope the rain does not blow the river out. As allways I will bring the garbage bag and keep cleaning up. Its a beautiful river and I hope to keep it that way. I'll let you know how it goes.

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dank

hiya there, i was wondering..jus how far is the deadline from i-5..cuz i plan on goin down to the KALAMA this sat..do you use corkies? or any pink worms under a float? im jus curious..only fished it once, and i think that was for silvers or kings back in 96'so it it good right off of i-5 by that beach? well..any info would be appreciated..i'll check back to this post soon..or you can email me @ narnia75@aol.com..thanks..

If your new to the area I would stop in at Pritchards (bait & tackle) about 6 miles up Kalama river road from I-5, good guys they'll point you in the right direction

If you go up to the second hatchery turn around and come back to the third pullout on your left and head straight off the hill there thats the deadline.

Rags or spoons no bait its been workin for me

Good idea by AkKIng if you stop in and talk to teh people at pritchards they can be lots of help.

[This message has been edited by LoomisMan (edited 03-14-2000).]

Does anybody know what the story is behind the tree with all the hats at the first turn out as your're going up before the first hatchery?

Kalamabama, I'm one of those "Kalifornicators" they talk about there in Washington. In '93 I filled up two bag of trash on the Kalama near the Holy Water (I sometimes fly fish.)and then carried it all the way to Lynwood because there was not receptacle on the way to Lynwood in which I could deposit the trash. I was kind of excited: I had just caught a 351/2" steelhead on a purple peril tied by the lady at Mahaffy's (no longer there), and I felt blessed. I thought I should repay the river by cleaning it up a little. What do you want to bet that it was Washingtonians that had left that trash in the first place? I do understand that the Kalifornicators are famous for the pampers and where they "deposit" them. By the way, I put the fish back.

Gubby I'm glad to hear it thank you. I never pointed any fingers as to who leaves the trash. If everyone would just pick up alittle more than they take in the rivers will stay clean. I also fish the Holy Waters often. At the time it is closed with no sign of reopening. If and when it does I will post a message. Hope to meet all of you guys on the river some day. I'm getting a late start but I'm off to fish the river today. Will let you know how it goes.

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dank

Kalama is hot NOW!!! EGGS, SHRIMP, DRIFTFISH!! Chrome bright natives everywhere, hooked my first springer on monday the 13th drift fishing shrimp about 14 lbs.

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The Kalama is full of fish some real nice nates. bring lots of bait the river is full of smolt. By the way I am looking for a old reel "keen caster" I understad they were made in Seattle a long time ago. It is a open spool reel looks like a big fly reel but mounts flat on your pole. If anyone knows of one please let me know. KEEP THE RIVERS CLEAN!!!!!

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dank

wow! funny to hear everyone say bring bait...I fished it three days last week fished bait first then without all fish were caught on rags & spoons with no bait.But then again I've always caught more fish on the kalama without bait, maybe its just me!!

Is there any better river, month in and month out? There seems to be some target in the river every month of the year. There is nothing more exciting than when it gets like it is now. I see these reports and I know I won't be able to keep my big butt in this office all day. Good to hear everyone is doing so well.

may be a stupid question but are any of the kalama springers hatchery fish or are they all just big nates?

really stupid, i meant steelhead springers. Are we talking about the same fish or are you guys refering to springer chinook ( all very confusing)