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The Klickitat is a amazing place that reminds me a little of the big island of Hawaii being in the shadow of the Mount Adams volcano cone. The canyon it flows through is rugged and ... morebeautiful. It’s also amazing that it’s the one of the closest Central Washington steelhead stream to the Pacific Ocean. Maybe the 100 mile swim versus the 500 mile Methow River swim could have something to do with the way the steelhead fight on the Klickitat.
The Season
The Klickitat River opens in June for fishing. The water conditions might be an issue with snow melt and high water, but by August the river is pretty stable. Because it drains the glaciers of Mount Adams, a hot day could put the river out of shape. The Klickitat closes the end of November.
The height of the steelhead season is mid August through October, with September and Ocotber being the best.
If you don’t feel like roughing it in style overnight on the river, our single day is great. Many anglers will stay at least the night before the trip in Goldendale at one of the fine lodging accommodations available.
The Klickitat River, located in Southeastern Washington is one of the state’s longest free flowing rivers, stretching approximately 100 miles from its glacial source to the mouth of ... morethe Columbia River.
The Klickitat River originates from numerous small tributaries that course from the rugged, jagged, snow capped peaks of Mount Adams, a 12, 276-ft. active volcano. This renowned Pacific Northwest steelhead and salmon stream gains momentum quickly, dropping approximately 5000 feet in total elevation by the time it reaches the confluence of the Columbia River. The rapid, swift gradient, glacier fed currents of this river over millions of years has cut its way through deep basalt canyon walls.
Like no other place I have ever seen, age old rugged oak, fur and alder trees cover hillsides of this steep river gorge, creating a unique and beautiful environment for a day of fly fishing.
On its decent to the Columbia, the Klickitat tumbles over massive boulders, slices through narrow substratum chutes, and weaves around log-jams and other natural river obstacles. A mile upstream from the small community of Lyle, the Klickitat narrows into a torrent chute where salmon and steelhead strain against the strong currents of the river, dodging boulders and other obstruction to journey upriver. Even today Native Americans dip net for salmon and steelhead from rickety leaning scaffolds assembled along the cliff face walls perched high above the rapids as these resilient fish make their arduous trek up river to their spawning grounds
This beautiful Southeastern Washington River supports healthy runs of Chinook Salmon (King), Silver Salmon (Coho) and the Pacific Northwest Steelhead. Strains of both hatchery and wild steelhead return to the "Klick" each year and proliferate throughout the system during the fishing season.
The Klickitat River is also known for its spectacular, vivid scenery and abundant wildlife that roam the hillsides and banks of the river. Its not uncommon during your day of fishing to observe a diverse variety of game species. Throughout most areas of the river, Mule deer and wild turkeys wander the hillsides of the Klickitat Canyon.
The Klickitat River is also known for its spectacular, vivid scenery and abundant wildlife that roam the hillsides and banks of the river. Its not uncommon during your day of fishing to observe a diverse variety of game species. Throughout most areas of the river, Mule deer and wild turkeys wander the hillsides of the Klickitat Canyon.
Other sections provide ideal habitat for visiting elk herds and curious black bears. Elusive cougars wander the rocky ridges along the canyon walls. Timber Rattlers are prevalent to the Klickitat River Basin and one should always be aware when walking and fishing the banks of the river.The upper reaches of the Klickitat River serve as nesting sites for several birds of prey which include; Red Tail Hawks, Ospreys and Bald Eagles. These strong, symbols of our great country, once on the edge of extinction have adapted well to the area. During the course of the year these large birds of prey thrive on the nutritional contents of decomposing salmon carcasses.
Perhaps, the most remote and picturesque sections of river wilderness lie in the upper reaches of the Klickitat Basin. From the small mountain tributary of Summit Creek down river approximately 20 river miles to the boat launch at "Slide-out". These upper reaches of the Klickitat River are unburdened from human civilization. The peaceful surroundings here is nature at its best---one hears nothing but the forceful descent of water plunging over rocks and the pleasant sounds of wild life.
The summer run steelhead season begins each year on the first day of June. Steve Worley and members of his elite team of guiding professionals at Worley Bugger Fly Co. will be conducting fly fishing trips on the Klickitat River during the premier months. Each year, populations of both wild and hatchery run anadromous fish return to the Klickitat system.
The Klickitat River provides passage for a variety of native anadromous fish, predominantly spring and fall runs of Chinook Salmon, as well as a small number of Coho Salmon (also known as "Silvers"). The river also experiences a strong run of both wild and hatchery Steelhead. Over the years, the river has become renowned for the vast numbers of returning fish and the amazing size of these salmon and steelhead. It is not uncommon for one to catch a King salmon over 30 pounds. In fact, many anglers claim they have caught some of these "kings of the river" up to 60 pounds. Catching wild steelhead in the Fall over 12 pounds is not uncommon, while early hatchery summer run Steelhead exceeding 20 lbs are caught each and every year.
Like we had previously mentioned, the Klickitat's main source of water is supplied by the melting glacier of Mount Adam's as well as small flowing tributaries that fuel the streams rapid gradient flows as it makes it way to the Columbia River. During periods of warm weather, melting snow and ice from the glacier will increase. The water clarity will quickly turn and produce an opaque white color.
When this occurs steelhead use these river conditions to their advantage. They move from the deeper, darker runs of the Klickitat and begin holding in shallower waters. It is during these periods that steelhead feel safe and secure and can easily be targeted with flies. While others have left the river for the summer opting for clearer water conditions to return, we fish with tremendous successes.
If the valley experiences a sudden rain shower and this precipitation touches on a portion of the Klickitat feed glacier most often the water will become chocked with sand and silt. The result generally isn't good. The river will rise quickly in height and flow and water clarity will be compromised as mud flows become prevalent. During these periods we have no confidence in the fish or the fishing and we will wait until conditions improve.
A variety of fly fishing tactics are effective for "hooking up" with a Klickitat River Steelhead throughout the year. Swinging flies is by far the preferred method of catching these rainbows of the river, however it is not always the most productive. The Klickitat offers everyone a diverse challenge with unique and exciting runs. Some are good for swinging, while others are better suited for dead drifting steelhead nymphs. We have several distinct strategies that produce results time and time again. These are strong, aggressive fish so so we encourage our guest to keep an open mind and be prepared to fish for Klickitat Steelhead in a variety of fun and exciting challenges.
Spey fishing with two handed fly rods up to 16' is becoming increasable popular each and every year. Spey rods can be used on the river, however they are not necessary and in some cases over kill. A nine to nine and 1/2- seven or eight weight fly rod with floating line is generally adequate gear for fishing the "Klick".
It is usually good to have several varieties and densities of sinking tips in appropriate lengths as well. If you do prefer a two hander, a shorter length usually in the 12 foot range is sufficient for the Klickitat. Switch rods are the preferred method of fishing the upper river and our guides are very proficient in there use. We are happy to teach you this fun and productive method of catching steelhead for during the day.
If you would like to experience this incredible river for yourself or have any questions about our guided fly fishing please feel free to contact us. Our professional guiding services are very popular and highly respected and dates for the Klickitat River Steelhead season begin filling quickly each year.
- Lodging at the Steelhead River Ranch
- Expert guide
- Meals
- Flies, tippet, and tackle
"Jack Mitchell - The Evening Hatch built THE STEELHEAD RANCH on a plateau above the valley of Washington's Klickitat River. The beautiful home is both lodge and the centerpiece in ... morea complex of new buildings for clients and guides. Unique among non-wilderness lodges, the superb guides are on site 24/7. And they find steelhead; angler success is astonishingly high. Accommodations can be brochure boilerplate, but here fly fishermen live large with new friends. I don't know of another steelhead river served so well. See you there!" Trey Combs
Multi-day trips We operate 'The Steelhead Ranch' at full operational level from August 15 until November 30. Prior to that, The Steelhead Ranch Lodge can be scheduled based on a trip by trip basis.
Come and join us at our 40 acre ranch for a 2-4 night/day fishing pkg. Enjoy fishing for summer run steelhead on the wild and scenic Klickitat river daily and our conveniently located ranch nightly which features a beautiful double mountain view and 'Bonanza style' ranch like comfort - the nearest neighbor is 1/4 plus mile.
Notes
Requires double occupancy
- Expert guide
- Riverside lunch and beverages
- Flies, tippet, and tackle
The headwaters of the Klickitat river originate on the slopes of Mount Adams in Washington. The topographic map shows an incredible myriad of small streams combining to form this glacial ... morewaterway and the river is home to a strong Fall Chinook and Summer Steelhead run. The landscape is unique and predominantly a combination of scrub oak, pine trees and cottonwood. The watershed is home to a large population of deer, turkey, cougar and elk.
The drainage is quite steep and in fact some of the lower portions of the river are not navigable due to class 5+ falls. The river tumbles into the Columbia approximately 120 miles from the salt and this can equate to some rather 'hot' summer run steelhead. The Klickitat river's wild strain of steelhead are strong and unpredictable. Typically in the 8-12 pound class with fish as large as 18-20 pounds caught occasionally. The wild summer steelhead runs enter the river anywhere from June until November. In addition to the wild steelhead, the hatchery steelhead that inhabit the Klickitat are of the Skamania strain. We like to say...'What is the first clue that you know you are on the Klickitat river? Answer, 'You just got your A_ _ handed to you!'
During the heat of summer the fishing can be a bit sketchy due to the lack of clarity in the river. However, once the weather patterns cool down a bit, the river's clarity will typically be in the 2 to 5 foot range. We fish the river with both swing and nymph tactics. Two handed rods are a useful tool as are single handers. For those of you who would like to swing the fly exclusively on the Klickitat, then we are your crew. For those of you who would like to nymph the Klickitat, then we are your crew. For those of you who would like to mix it up, then we are your crew. We are well versed in all techniques from skating dries to slack line drifting egg patterns. We don't presume to tell you how you should fish the fly for steelhead, we do however listen to your desires and build an adventure based on those requests.
Come spend a day with us on the Klickitat. Our day and multiple day trips are based on a full day or series of full days. Accessing the river can be by boat, walk/wade, bike/wade. If you have a preference or would like to mix and match, let us know!
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Fly Fishing Trips
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Explore to find a variety of fly fishing outfitters, guided trips and fly fishing vacation packages. Find current conditions with fishing reports and discover the top access sites for fly fishing. Get in on the trout action with Yobi Adventures.
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