SALMON ACTION on the Klamath River | NorCal

An action-packed fishing trip with River Guide Kenny Priest of Fishing the North Coast. https://youtu.be/chuQE0MEsmk We fished out of a Willie Boats Predator on the Klamath River in Northern California on Labor Day, September 1, 2025 for steelhead and salmon. Both species are starting to head up river as part of their migration.

The fish bite was on at Blake's Riffle! This stretch of water is about 4 miles up from the Klamath River mouth and this area above the Glen seemed to be the best fishing spot on the lower river that morning. High numbers of jack salmon were coming up river in the early morning and then later, adult salmon started to splash and porpoise on the surface just below the big rock. A week prior, a water release or a pulse flow from the Trinity River had helped bring in more fish from the estuary into the upper river.

Since salmon season is closed on the Klamath River per 2025 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations [https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations] we practiced our catch, revive and fish release skills. We landed several jacks and several adult salmon. Fishing pressure was light as most anglers were booking trips inland on the Feather River and North on the Southern Oregon coast where fishermen could take a chinook.

We fished with Lamiglas Infinity "Twitch" rods, model ISS 79MTS. They are a fast action 7'9" graphite rod 1/4-5/8oz and 8-15lb built specifically for twitching up salmon, but they are also great for side drifting. These rods are handcrafted in Woodland, WA in the USA.

Thanks to our fellow river guides who were on the Klamath River with us as we all gave each other room to land these strong-fighting fish. Check out NorCal River Guides: John Klar [https://johnklar.com/], Kenton Bansemer [https://bansemerfishing.com/] and Pergish Carlson [https://www.fishklamathriver.com/] to book a guided river trip in the future.

Weekly Fishing Report: There are quite a few fish hanging out in the Klamath River estuary, so fishing should remain good for the next couple weeks, or longer. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Report/Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. Both the Klamath and Trinity rivers are closed to the take and possession of Chinook salmon.

North Coast river closures: All North Coast rivers are subjected to low flow fishing closures including the Eel River, Mad River, Redwood Creek, Smith River, and the Van Duzen were closed to fishing. CDFW will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. You can also find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast.

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast (FNC), a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find FNC on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@fishingthenorthcoast] and online at [https://fishingthenorthcoast.com/]. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com. Fishing videos are filmed and produced by Humboldt Chrome Fishing.

Local Tip: If you're hauling a boat, turn off at Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway which is the scenic alternative to Hwy 101. This ten-mile (16-km) drive through old-growth redwood forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, takes just a few more minutes and avoids the steep grades of the park bypass. You don't lose much time and it's easier on your truck.
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drivenbdparkway.htm

Links:
Jet Boat: https://www.willieboats.com
Fishing Rods: https://www.lamiglas.com "Fish with confidence"
Mad River Manufacturing: https://www.madrivermanufacturing.com

#tightlines #fishingaddict #fishinglife