October a Wrap, Waiting For Rain...

I've been sequestered in the Klamath mountains fishing the Klamath and Trinity Rivers for almost a month now.  Reports were not possible due to a lack of internet access.  Fishing was pretty decent for the most part, and it was nice to get in the driftboat and be on some uncrowded water.   Thanks to everyone who came up to fish with me for the month.  It's easy to understand why October is one of the most popular trips I do.  Good fishing, breathtaking scenery and lonely rivers is a great combination.

I'm back at home now and taking a quick break with my family to see good friends get married down south.  I start my next season on the Smith and Chetco on the November 4th, but we need it to rain before we start fishing up north.  If it doesn't rain, there are backup options.  The Klamath system has good numbers of fish and if it doesn't rain enough up north to set fishing off, this is a great fallback plan.  There is also the potential of fishing a couple of different tidewaters.  Ill throw up a report after I begin fishing again and let you know what's happening.

Mike   

Beautiful Fish Around, but Fishing Remains Tough

We are catching beautiful chrome salmon daily, but fishing remains very up and down.  One day we will catch limits or near limits and the next you have to scratch for 2 or 3 fish...  That's the way this year has been for the most part.  My last day on the lower River will be the 29th and then I pack up the trailer and get in the driftboat for Trinity and Middle Klamath action.  I'm looking forward to getting back in the driftboat for one of my favorite times of year!  Good luck and tight lines.

Mike

Fishing Up and Down, But Signs Point to A Banner Week...

With elevated river flows and cool water temperatures, fish have been moving very quickly through the system.  This has lead to day to day, up and down fishing.  One day they are stacked in a certain stretch of the river, while the next they are difficult to locate.  However, the last two days have been very good. 

A few developments have me thinking the next few weeks should be very good and consistency to improve.  First, the mouth snag fishery quota has been met, so there wont be fish taken there.  In addition the commercial gillnet fishery is close to closing as well.  Condition wise, flows will be dropping from Lewiston which will lead the fish to slow down and become more accessible to catch. 

I have a couple of seats open for the 22nd and the 23rd and 29th are open.  If you'd like to get ahold of me, the best way is shooting me a text at 707-601-8757 as phone and internet service is spotty in Klamath..... 

Klamath Salmon Underway

I know it's been awhile, but life has been crazy and busy.  Plus, internet access is an issue in Klamath where I stay. 

While the month started off slowly, the river has begun to fill with salmon this week.  A one day release of water from the Trinity River has reached the lower river today and a cancelation has given me a day off.  With the pulse of water arriving and the building number of salmon already in the river, I expect next week to fish very well.  I have the 16th and 17th open and a few open seats on the 15th, so give us a call!!

Finally, A Fishing Report!!

Good numbers of summer steelhead have entered the Klamath River with the recent cool weather and water temps.  Along with huge numbers of half pounders, there have also been a bunch of adult steelhead around to play with as well.  After the last week of river fishing, I switch back to the ocean for most of this week.  I do have Wednesday open to fish the river if anyone is interested, though.  In addition, I have space for the following week, so give me a call while this action is still on tap!

Mike

Branching Out

I know it's been awhile and frankly, it's been a tough summer. The Blue Creek closure and high water temps have killed the summer steelhead fishing on the Klamath and I have not been running trips on this system yet. Instead, I have spent time on the ocean with a few buddies and local charter captains learning the ocean game to become relief captain for them. Thanks to Curt Wilson on the Windrose (Trinidad), Tony Sepulveda of the Shellback (Eureka), and Matt Dallum of North...wind Charters (Eureka). I figured in this time of drought and regulation change, it would be a good idea to diversify a bit. If any of you are interested in an ocean charter, let me know and I'll put you in contact with any of the above captains.

While I know the summer steelhead fishing doesn't seem worthwhile, a water cool down will trigger some good fishing to be had. Also, there has been great numbers of salmon in tidewater. So there is some current fishing opportunity on the Klamath. I will begin running some trips later this week and I will go into them prepared to fish both tidewater and upriver for steelhead. I will let you know how these trips go.

Speaking of Salmon, I have space for the fall run in Late August through October. I know there is a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the drought, but we are forecasted to have a large run of salmon on the Klamath system. If the numbers being seen in tidewater are any indication, the prediction seems like it should be accurate. Remember, we had low conditions last fall too, and the fishing was world class. I expect a great season.

See More

Blue Creek Closure

Guys, by now you have probably heard about the Blue Creek closure on the Klamath River has approved by the Fish and Game Commission a couple of days ago. This is an unnecessary and ill-conceived closure that was strongly opposed by the California Department Fish and Wildlife and is completely without any basis in scientific data or background information. This is devastating for families like my own and there's no doubt local economies will be hurt by the closure. Also, fo...lks will lose the opportunity to experience this world class fishery they didn't have to travel to distant corners of the globe to experience. That's pretty hard to put a price tag on and we should be angry about this local treasure being taken away from us.

This fishery has been open to sportfishing for the last century and seems to be a healthy one. In my opinion, there is no reason for this closure and until scientific data states otherwise, should remain open. If you'd like to have your voice heard, call the Fish and Game commission at 916-653-4899 or contact your local representatives

Mike Stratman

Steelhead Wrap Up, Striped Bass Begin

I know my reports through the last half of steelhead season were sparse, but that was for a reason.  While I had some great fishing through the end of the season, low water made reporting a no go.  The fisheries just couldn't handle the pressure.  Having a boat or two on your drift was the difference between an epic day and a slow one.  As you can see from the pics, we caught some really beautiful steelhead in March, and it remains my favorite time to chase these trout.  Numbers AND quality! 

After wrapping up steelhead at the end of March, I've just started my Striped Bass season on the Sacramento River.  I'd say we've been off to a good start.  Decent numbers and some really nice fish have been floating around.  If you're looking to catch hard fighting fish that eat really well, I have the 13th, 21st, 29th and 30th open.  Plus, I just got canceled for the 24th and 25th today.  These are great dates, so gimme a call!!

Big Storm is Over, Headed North...

I know it's been awhile and while my posting volume hasn't suggested it, but I've been on the water everyday prior to this large winter storm hitting us.  While I've had some great days, fishing up to that point had been a bit up and down.  Frankly, I've realized that having added pressure due to my own fishing reports simply wasn't doing the people in my boat any favors.

Anyways, I'm headed up north to fish the Smith starting Wednesday.  Before the Smith blew out last week, there was a large slug of new fish in the system, so I expect there to be some fish around. 

While my February is booked solid, I do have space in March.  March is a great time to come fishing with plenty of bites and light crowds.  Don't hesitate to sign up for some late season action!

I also started booking April/Early May Striped Bass trips on the Sacramento and Feather.  I've filled about half of April, so give me a ring soon to get in on this great springtime fishery.

Mike

Rain Coming, Fishing Good

All the rivers are low and clear now and stealth tactics are needed, but if you know where the fish are, there are good days to be had.  If you are coming up to fish, be careful where you float and/or motor.  A careless fisherman can ruin a bite for everyone, so use your head!

It looks like some rain is headed our way for the weekend, so that may change our current pattern of fishing, we'll just have to see if the weatherman is right.  After a wet start to our winter, it's been very dry and we can obviously use the water. 

As you can see, the fish are flawlessly bright and there have been some big ones around.  We lost one after a long fight that looked to be in the high teen range, if not bigger.  I assume I'll be around south until Friday or Saturday, and then I may head back north weather permitting.

Tight Lines,

Mike