If you haven't had a chance to fish the Klamath River yet this season, now is the time to pack up the truck, clean up the gear and hit the water. The fall run is in full swing and there's lots of fresh salmon coming up river in big, big numbers. Whether you're fishing from a jet boat, a kayak, or fishing from shore - if you can get a bait in the water - you have a legitimate chance to catch an ocean-bright salmon from one of the most beautiful rivers on the North Coast.
As of Sunday, the total harvest count climbed to over 6,600 adults landed from the 96 bridge in Weitchpec to the mouth. At this point last year, 3,380 adults were caught. According to Sara Borok, an Environmental Scientist on the Klamath River, the two weeks following Labor Day are when the run normally peaks.
Tuesday tuna run
Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sportfishing made the 40-plus mile run to the tuna water on Tuesday, but found the conditions not quite as good as forecasted. “We hadn't had a good SST shot for a few days, so we ran to the location where we last saw the warm water and it wasn't as warm as we had hoped. We ended up finding the edge about 47 miles off of Trinidad and never did run into any big schools. Matt Dallam, who skippers Northwind Charters, was the high boat with seven and we boated the only three we hooked. Hopefully we'll get another chance next week,” Klassen added. If and when the next opportunity presents itself, Ken Bates will have live bait available at Woodley Island.
Weekend marine forecast
Out 10 nautical miles from Eureka, Friday's forecast is calling for north winds to 15 knots, with seas NW three to five feet at six seconds. Saturday winds are predicted to blow 10 to 20 knots out of the north with seas NW five to seven feet at seven seconds. Sunday the wind is forecasted to 15 knots, with seas W six to eight feet at 12 seconds. For up-to-date weather forecasts, visit www.weather.gov/eureka. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.
Eureka's National Weather Service to provide enhanced wave information
As of Wednesday, Sept. 19, the National Weather Service in Eureka began using an enhanced method to describe waves in the coastal waters forecast. Sea state will be described by providing a total wave height along with additional detailed wave information when it is useful for the mariner. The amount of detailed wave information provided will depend on conditions. For example, when there is only a single wave in the forecast, then that wave's direction, height and period will be given. For example: SEAS NW 6 TO 8 FT AT 10 SECONDS
When there are two distinct waves, then the total wave height will still be given, but the two waves that make up that sea state will also be described. For example:
SEAS 8 TO 10 FT...INCLUDING NW 7 FT AT 8 SECONDS AND SW 5 FT AT 14 SECONDS
This enhanced terminology will allow the marine forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Eureka to provide a more accurate forecast that actually has more of the information mariners need while reducing the overall length of the forecast.
For more information and to provide feedback go to www.weather.gov/eureka or call Troy Nicolini at 707 496-5959
DFG expands online services to include harvest reporting
The Department of Fish and Game is now offering online harvest reporting for hunters and anglers for the 2012 season and beyond. While the reporting requirements for hunters and anglers have not changed, the way information is reported is now faster and easier. Hunters and anglers can report their harvest details more quickly, and that information can be put to use promptly.
Standard mail reporting is still available and can be done through the address printed on the report card. To report online, go to DFG's Online License Service page (www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols) where you can create a profile. Confirmation numbers will be provided to those who report online, so there will be no need to mail in the report card. Write the number on the report card and retain it for 90 days for survey purposes. Once a report card has been reported, it is no longer valid. For more information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/harvestreporting.
The Oceans:
Eureka
According to Klassen, the halibut bite has been a little hit and miss. “On Friday we fished pretty much all day and only landed two smaller fish. We went back to the same place on Saturday and had five by 11:30 a.m., with the biggest fish weighing 82 pounds. Klassen has spent most of his time straight out in 290 to 320 feet of water using a B2 squid with herring, On Monday, Klassen ran south to the Cape and scored easy limits of quality rockfish. We didn't get limits of lings, but the fish we caught were nice, with the biggest tipping the scales at 24 pounds,” Klassen said.
Crescent City
According to Chris Hegnes of Crescent City's Englund Marine, the rockfish bite has picked up and the some big lings are being caught as well. Last week, we weighed in a 29, 39, and a 41-pound ling, so there some big ones out there. There's also a few halibut being caught out near the big reef. There was a 70-pounder caught a few days ago,” Hegnes said.
Shelter Cove
Rockfish action above the 4010 line has been the best bet for anglers fishing out of Shelter Cove reports Russ Thomas of Mario's Marina in Shelter Cove. “The charter boat has been making the run daily to Roger's Break and scoring easy limits of rockfish and picking up a few halibut as well. A few anglers are trying for salmon, with the average being a couple fish per boat. It's certainly slowed down,” Thomas added
The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
The fishing remains strong on the Klamath, with lots of new fish coming in daily reports guide Mike Coopman of Mike Coopman's Guide Service. “There's fish from top to bottom, which allows the boats to really spread out. Boat pressure is still fairly heavy, but has started to ease this week. Most of the adults we're catching are averaging 12 to 15-pounds and we're getting a few jacks each day as well. Side-drifting or boondoggling red-colored roe with a Fish Pill has been the top producer,” Coopman added.
Upper Trinity
There's lots of fish up here reports Tim Brady of Weaverville's Trinity Outdoors. “The happening spot has been from the north fork down to Cedar Flat. The bank fishermen as well as the boats are all catching some nice fish, with most salmon averaging right around 10 pounds. We're also seeing some nice steelhead moving in as well,” Brady added.
Find “Fishing the North Coast” on Facebook for up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information. Questions, comments and photos can be emailed to kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com