[Jim Jenkins]

I have fished the Klickitat R. since I was about 10 and never really seen any RB’s. There are a lot of juvenile steelhead though and their usually on the small skinney side, 10-12". These are what’s left of the native fish that run in this river. The Klickitat used to be a great river but has suffered over the past few years, why, I’m not sure? I could probably give you some reasons but it would just get me all worked up. This is one of a few still free flowing rivers left in the state and it’s a shame it going in the toilet with all others. It gets a lot of pressure in the summer and fall for steelhead. It also has a decent salmon run in the spring and fall, some really big ones. I have heard that fly fishing for RB above the dam on the Little White Salmon R. is pretty good, although I haven’t personally tried it. I would suppose its also good above the dam on the Big White Salmon too. NW’ern Lake used to have a resort on it with good fly fishing to but requires a boat or what ever you like to effectively fish. And one more place would be the Little Klickitat R. although access can be difficult to most of it except the upper part near Goldendale or the lower part you can reach where it joins the main river. And I’m not sure when/if its open right now, have to check the regs. If you go in the summer watch out for those darn SNAKES, their not to friendly! Good luck where ever you decide to go.
Jim

 

[Jim Jenkins]

I must admitt I don't usually go there to trout fish. Just stating my view on what I've observed. I can't remember ever seeing someone down there trout fishing. That does mean there isn't or that it might even be pretty good, I don't know. I usually stick to the lower part below where the Little Klick comes in. I have drifted down from Soda Springs and used to be able to take motorcycle then bicycles up the logging road, now you can only hike. Maybe the upper parts of the river are better? And yes, the color of the river during the summer is OK in the morning and by afternnon it un-fishable. My nickname for the river is Klick-a-mud! My favorite time is fall, late September/October because a lot of fisherman turn to hunting hence less pressure. Something my dad told me this year is that someone or group is buying up acess area's on the river that used to be public. Some of these used to be places you could fish from the bank too. Pretty soon it'll be boat only if it keeps going the way it is. I think its a shame the state sells us out like that. Why can't we save some of our state lands for all to enjoy? By the way my dad is 81 and been going down there fishing since before I was born! During the summer he still goes down twice a week from Yakima. If you ever want a fishing report just ask. He's a die hard bait guy though. Oh well, he's entitled I guess. Later, Jim