Kalama RiverKalama goes Flies only on September 1st till October 31st 2010 from the lower hatchery inlet to the Pipeline at Mahaffeys. Please consult the regulations for further details.Dated 9/6/10 Some new pictures from the Kalama River of Chinook salmon being caught in the Canyon area.  Denise D Amico from LaPine, Oregon fly fishing the Kalama River using a Sage XP 6 weight for Chinook salmon. Dated 9/6/10  Denise D Amico with her fly rod Chinook salomn of 14 pounds. Dated 9/6/10 Dated 9/5/10 The Kalama river has defintely picked up steam in terms of fish being present.  Walter Pistor with a beautiful summer steelhead from the Kalama River Dated 9/5/10 8/31/10 The increasing rains should drive the chinook and coho into the river in greater numbers. Also the fish that are in the river should start being more active and take flies. Time to break out the fly gear as the Kalama goes Flies only on September 1st till October 31st 2010 from the lower hatchery inlet to the Pipeline at Mahaffeys. Dated 8/30/10 Fair for summer steelies using a fly rod. Best areas are from the Canyon below 2nd hatchery to Begginers hole. Lots of private land please use a pontoon boat as the water is extremely low and clear. Lots of exposed rocks make this sometimes hazardous to float. Drift boats not recommended in most areas. Nymph fishing can be very good this time of year using strike indicators. Good patterns include the BH Lifter, BH Stone Fly Nymphs, Lady Carolines, BH Buggers in Black, Matuka patterns, Small Tube Fly Patterns, Purple Perills, Freight Trains, Muddler Minnows, Spade Flies and other small steelie patterns. Dated 7/26/10 Cowlitz River Spey Clave August 7th, 2010 Sponsored by Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, WA 98632 Please call us for details or visit our home page for more details. This is a free event dedicated to the sport of spey and fly fishing for the beginner through expert. Please checkout the event schedule as it begins to appear over the next week or so. This years event will have 6-7 major 1 hour fly casting demos with many more fly tying presentions. There will be a one hour lunch break which will allow the attendees, presentors and manufactuers to grab a burger, hot dog from the barbeque and drink of their choosing for a small charge. Dated 7/26/10 Good flyfishing for steelies has been occurring in the Kalama River Canyon below the 2nd hatchery, Begginers hole and Million Dollar Rock Hole. The fishing has been tough in the area out side the Canyon. Nymph fishing has been the most productive using BH Stone flies and BH Prinice Nymphs with egg patterns. Spey Casting classes are offered at Black Heron Fly Fishing, which is located at Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office johnkendall_56@msn.com email Pontoon boats by Water Skeeter and Bucks Bags are carried by Black Heron Fly Fishing. Give us a call and checkout our prices. Dated 7/10/10 The Kalama river has been producing some steelhead in the Canyon Area and around the Red Barn. Nymph fishing seems to be working the best. A few people are still swinging flies and having success. Mahaffeys has also reported afew steelies caught in the mornings and evenings 6/21/10 Here is a really nice 36 inch, 16 pound steelhead from the Kalama River caught by Sam Wells in The Kalama River canyon. This fish required a long hike down into the canyon to get away from the people. Caught using a St Croix Ultra Legend Spey Rod in 13 Ft, 7/8 weight. There have been a number of good reports out of the Kalama river in the last few days. Most anglers are fly fishing the Beginners hole and Red Barn Hole using Stone Fly Nymphs and Egg Patterns and dead drifting the patterns.  Dated 6/21/10 Dated 5/18/10 Fly fishing for spring salmon and summer steelhead have increased in the canyon area and the anglers have been having success. These are tough fish to get due to the canyon. There have been afew fish caught in the beginners hole and red barn hole also. Other areas to visit include Mahaffeys, Modrow Bridge and Million Dollar Rock Hole. Plan on using lighter gear than normal due to low water conditions. Black Heron Fly Fishing is supplier of quality pontoon boats from Bucks Bags and Water Skeeter. Please give us a call for further details at: Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office Dated 4/26/10 The Kalama river has seen a good number of returning fish the last few days and should be producing both springers and summer steelhead at this time. The best times to fish this river is always early in the morning when the light is low and temperatures are cool. The canyon is defintely the best area with the highest concentration of fish being caught. Good patterns to consider for use here are the Glo bugs, Egg Sucking Leeches, Marabou Muddlers, Green Butt Skunks, Freight Trains, Dean River tigers(Tube Style), BH Buggers, Black Herons, Purple Perils, Pick Yer Pockets. Other good areas to visit include Mahaffeys, Beginners Hole, and Modrow bridge. Again the best bet is to drift this river due to the high ammount of private property along the shores. Dated 3/20/10 . The Kalama river has seen a few fish returning to the hatchery. Plan on fishing early in the morning and in or around the canyon area as this is where the action has been reported Good patterns to consider for use here are the Glo bugs, Egg Sucking Leeches, Marabou Muddlers, Green Butt Skunks, Freight Trains, Dean River tigers(Tube Style), BH Buggers, Black Herons, Purple Perils, Pick Yer Pockets.  Rob Singer with a pair of chrome summer run steelies from the Kalama River. Dated 11/5/09 Dated 11/4/09 The Kalama river has returned to regular regulations from the inlet at the 1st hatchery to the Pipeline at Mahaffeys allowing use of other than flyfishing only 11/1/09 The fly anglers are still banging out afew fish from this area though as seen in this picture below.  Fishing has been challenging in the last few weeks on the Kalama but it appears from the pictures we are going see the Coho finally showup along with the steelies. The majority of fly fishing has been taking place in the Red Barn hole and above in the Kalama river canyon. There are also fish present in the Beginners hole but come prepared to fight for a rock. Black Heron Fly Fishing is supplier of quality pontoon boats from Bucks Bags and Water Skeeter. Please give us a call for further details at: Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office Dated 10/17/09 Now is the time to checkout the Kalama for some fresh silvers due to the increasing rains. The canyon area has seen good numbers of steelhead being caught. Dated 10/8/09 The Kalama river has a lot of very dark chinook present but there are steelhead and silvers in the river also. The river is low and will remain low till the rains raise the river level.  Sam Wells with his second spey rod steelie from the Kalama River. 10/8/09 Dated 9/10/09 The Kalama river is doing extremely well in the fly fishing only area for steelies, coho and kings. Plan on fishing sinking tip fly lines for the salmon . The water is extremely low and the fish are spooky. Use light leaders and small flies. Best fishng is in the morning when the fish have been least disturded. Plan on alot of people as this is the prime time for the river. IMPORTANT NOTICE FLY FISHING ONLY AREA OPENS SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 TILL OCTOBER 31, 2009 ON KALAMA RIVER FROM INTAKE AT LOWER HATCHERY TO PIPELINE AT MAHAFFEYS RV PARK. The Kalama river is open to take hatchery Chinook, Coho and Steelhead. Please check regulations on specifics. Dated 9/1/09 Anglers catching a mixer of Coho and Steelhead Dated 8/23/09 A good number of summer steelies have been reported in the Kalama River using fly rods. The majority of fishing takes place during the early hours of the morning when the water is still cool. Use light long leaders for best success. Good areas to fish are the Million Dollar rock hole, Beginners Hole and Modrow Bridge area. The Canyon area is very good this time of year due to its depth and earlier shadows in the afternoon. Can you say Goat Trail!!!!!!!! Many people complain of the climb out of this area so be forewarned. Good patterns to consider while fishing the Kalama are the Kalama Special, Green Butt Skunk, Burlap, Stone Fly Nymphs, Wooly Buggers, Spade Flies, Steelhead Soft Hackles, Fly Dejours, BH Lifters and Muddlers. Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office johnkendall_56@msn.com DATED 8/9 THE FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD HERE BUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE AND CLARITY ARE MAJOR FACTORS DURING THE SUMMER. FISH LIGHT LEADERS AND RIFFLED WATER TO INCREASE YOU CHANCES. ALSO FISH EARLY AND LATE DURING THE DAY AS THIS IS WHEN THE STEELIES AND TROUT ARE MOST ACTIVE. Dated 7/10/09 The Kalama River has been reporting more steelhead being caught in the last few days. The water is low and clear plan on using a very light leader and smaller flies.  A very nice summer caught in the canyon of the Kalama River by Ryan Hinesley. Dated 7/10/09 Dated 6/28/09  A beautiful Kalama River summer steelie caught on a Micheal Jackson spinner on Friday morning. Caught by Mike Altenhofen. What a Thriller!!!!!! DATED 6/9/09 FREE SPEY FISHING CONCLAVE SPONSORED BY BLACK HERON FLY FISHING 1060 14TH AVE LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632 360-575-3970 OFFICE AUGUST 1ST , 2009 ON THE COWLITZ RIVER FROM 10:00AM TILL 5:00PM DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON LOCATION AS WEB SITE IS UPDATED. Please see home page for map of spey clave location. The Kalama hatchery has recieved 44 spring chinook with 500 forecast for this year. The best places to visit for the steelhead are in the canyon and below. The Steelhead have been hard to get this year but are present. Dated 6/3/09 FREE SPEY FISHING CONCLAVE SPONSORED BY BLACK HERON FLY FISHING 1060 14TH AVE LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632 360-575-3970 OFFICE AUGUST 1ST , 2009 ON THE COWLITZ RIVER FROM 10:00AM TILL 5:00PM DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON LOCATION AS WEB SITE IS UPDATED. Please see home page for map of spey clave location. The Kalama river has not been doing extrememly well but there are steelhead present. The best fishing has occurred below the second hatchery in the canyon area. The water level is beginning to fall and the fish are beginning to congregate. Other areas to visit are the Red barn hole, Beginners hole and Modrow bridge. If you have a drift boat this would be good river to visit. Plan on fishing early in the morning for the best result on steelhead. Common patterns for this river include the Green Butt Skunk, Wooly Buggers, Egg Sucking Leeches, Purple Perils, Bunny Leeches, BH Stones, Skykomish Sunrises and Stimulators as the water lowers and warms. Typical strategies for this river include floating fly lines with long leaders and sinking tip type 6 fly lines with short 3-4 foot leaders. Fishing down and accross seems to be an effective cast but sometimes the dead drift technique using a strike indicator is a must. Dated 5/22/09 FREE SPEY FISHING CONCLAVE SPONSORED BY BLACK HERON FLY FISHING 1060 14TH AVE LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632 360-575-3970 OFFICE AUGUST 1ST , 2009 ON THE COWLITZ RIVER FROM 10:00AM TILL 5:00PM DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON LOCATION AS WEB SITE IS UPDATED. The Kalama River has seen a few steelhead being caught below the canyon on fly rods. Most anglers are nymph fishing stone fly patterns and BH stone flies. Glo bug patterns fished as dropper flies work very well this time of year. Closed to springer fishing as of May11th, 2009 Dated 5/13/09 Closed to springer fishing as of May11th, 2009 DATED 4/10/09 FREE SPEY FISHING CONCLAVE SPONSORED BY BLACK HERON FLY FISHING 1060 14TH AVE LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632 360-575-3970 OFFICE AUGUST 1ST , 2009 ON THE COWLITZ RIVER FROM 10:00AM TILL 5:00PM DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON LOCATION AS WEB SITE IS UPDATED. DATED 4/10/09 Kalama River -
Anglers are catching winter steelhead including some nice size
fish. There have been several
reports of nice steelies by fly anglers being caught below the canyon
area. Most anglers are using the using guide intruders and marabou spey
patterns. Also most fly rod fish are being caught from drift boats
casting down and accros the river in body of runs and behind rocks or
other obstructionsDated 3/25/09 The Kalama river has seen moderate success with 2-3 few fly anglers taking fish in the canyon and below. The water on the Kalama river has been beautiful the last few days with a nice opulent green color. Fish and wildlife has noted the fishing to be fair. Dated 3/17/09 Kalama River - 4 bank anglers kept 1 steehead and released
one. Per the WDFW.
The fly fishing has fallen off as the water has risen on the Kalama and become murky. Look for this trend to stop in the next few days. There should be more fish moving into the system as the water falls. DATED 3/11/09 The Kalama river is reporting alot of new fish being caught especially fly rodders. The main areas are the Canyon, Red Barn and Beginners Holes. If you have a boat for better access the fishing is much better. Fish the main bodies of the holes, runs and tails out predominantly. The water color has been good with relatively low levels on the river. Several fish in the twenty pound range have been reported in the second hatchery. Some hatchery some native. Black Heron Fly Fishing is supplier of quality pontoon boats from Bucks Bags and Water Skeeter. Please give us a call for further details at: Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office Dated 3/4/09 The Kalama river has been reporting more and more fish being taken. There have even been numerous fly rod fish taken in the canyon and below.  DATED 2/10/09  Beautiful winter steelie from the Kalama river. Caught by Rob Singer. DATED 2/6/09 The fishing on the Kalama has been good below the second hatchery in the canyon area . The trap at second hatchery was damaged during high water and is being repaired as quickly as possible according to reports. There have been several fly rod fish caught in the area around the First Hatchery, Red Barn Hole and Pritchards. Most fish caught are being nailed on BH Lifters and BH Stone Fly Nymphs in the main parts of runs and behind structures where the fish find protection. Other good patterns might include weighted string leeches in pink and cream colors found at Black Heron Fly Fishing in Longview Washington. Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office Dated 1/22/09 Last Sunday was the fisrt day we noticed a upturn in the number of anglers reporting steelhead being taken from the Kalama river. There have been several fly rod fish taken here in the last couple of days from area around Beginners Hole, Red Barn and the canyon area.  Rob Singer with a nice Kalama River Steelie caught on the fly. 1/7/09 EXTREMELY LOW COUNTS ON WINTER STEELIES ARE BEING REPORTED(97 TO BE EXACT) THAT HAVE BEEN COLLECTED AT THE FISH HATCHERY THROUGH DECEMBER. THERE WERE SEVERAL LIMITS OF STEELIES TAKEN BEFORE, DURING AND RIGHT AFTER THE SNOW AND ICE . THESE WERE REPORTED BY CHRIS WAGEMAN AND CUSTOMERS ENTERING BLACK HERON FLY FISHING IN LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON. FORECAST IS FOR EXTREMEMLY HIGH FLOWS. 1/4/09  ROB SINGER WITH A NICE TARPON. DATED 12/12/08 Washington Lower Columbia River Spring Chinook 2008 Forecasts and Actual Returns and 2009 Forecasts
Figures provided by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 12/3/08  Brett Bates with a nice Kalama river recycled steelie from Kress lake. The steelie fishing on the Kalama River has been fair with some fish being caught in the canyon and below in areas like the Red Barn Hole and Beginners Hole. Most fly rodders visiting the Kalama river are using sinking tip fly lines or Jim Teeny T series fly lines with a 24 foot sinking head to get down. The most popular sizes are the T200 and T300. Quite afew steelies have been recycled into Kress Lake (APPROX 120) this week. There have been numerous other deposits from the Kalama river into Kress lake before this week making for a large number of fish present there. These fish could really generate alot of action using a fly rod from a float tube. There have been numerous customers saying the fly rodding on Kress lake has been good using wooly buggers, leech patterns and other nymphs. Floating fly lines and intermediate sinking lines are working the best. Black Heron Fly Fishing is supplier of quality pontoon boats from Bucks Bags and Water Skeeter. Please give us a call for further details at: Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office 11/20/08 The fishing on the Kalama river has been good using heavy sinking tip fly lines and shooting heads to get down since the last flooding. Be adaptable and provide the fish what he wants to see. Winter steelies are present and are being caught. The water level has fallen but is still high. This should change shortly with better weather on the way. Black Heron Fly Fishing is supplier of quality pontoon boats from Bucks Bags and Water Skeeter. Please give us a call for further details at: Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office DATED 11/13/08 HIGH AND MURKY ACCORDING TO REPORTS. CHECK ON SATURDAY 11/15/08 FOR DROPPING LEVELS. 11/11/08 Kalama River - Before the heavy rains and resulting high turbid water, anglers in the canyon were catching some coho and summer run steelhead. The winter steelies are on the way due to the high water, be watching for the reports. The first winters are typically caught in the lower reaches of the Kalama this time of year. 11/06/08 There are still fresh coho being caught in the Kalama River with wdfw reporting about 1 fish for every 2 anglers when calculating in the released fish. There have been a few winter steelies reported caught in the fly angling area before it closed. Plan on the winter steelies making a bigger impact in the next few weeks with the incoming rain. The steelie fishing has been good with fresh fish entering the river since the rains have began in the last few days. Plan on fishing these fish with lighter lines and smaller flies. A good suggestion might be to start with a Glo Bug and BH Stone Fly Nymph and fish those dead drift through the runs and riffles. The standard flies such as the green butt skunk, polar shrimp, purple peril, muddler minnows, freight train, fly dejour and wooly buggers all still work . The best suggestion is to keep moving throught the water hunting your fish( 2-3 casts 1 step down stream). Also remember to pick a fly you have confidence in. Fish thoroughly through the run and then make a defintely size shape and color change. Then fish that water one more time before moving on to another area. Sinking leaders and sinking tip fly lines will start to become more and more important as winter approaches. Plan on using the extensively along with shooting head such as the Jim Teeny T Series T200 and T300. These fly lines sink quickly and provide you with the ability to roll cast in tight quarters 10/28/08 According to the wdfw the anglers on the Kalama have been catching about 1 coho for every 3 anglers with about half the fish being kept for the week of 10/20/08 through 10/27/08. This is consistent with the angler reports coming to the store which means fair to good fishing depending on area and method used. The B run coho have been in the river for a while and should provide good angling till November 15th or later depending on water conditions. 10/27/08 THE KALAMA RIVER FLY FISHING AREA FROM THE PIPE LINE AT MAHHFFEYS TO THE ENTRANCE AT LOWER HATCHERY WILL RETURN TO REGULAR REGULATIONS ON NOVEMBER 1ST , 2008. GET YOUR FLY ANGLING IN AT THIS AREA WHILE YOU CAN. 10/21/08 Good numbers of bright B run Coho salmon are being caught in the fly angling area. The steelhead have also seen an increase in the number of fish being caught. The fly angling area from The entrance to the lower Kalama River Hatchery to Mahaffeys at the Pipe line opens to regular anglers November 1st, 2008. The first winter run steelies have already been caught and were released by fly anglers. These were early winter native run entering the river on the rain. The first report came this morning at 10:00am after we returned to the shop. DATED 10/16/08  Beautiful 17 pound Kalama River Silver Salmon caught by Derry Rush on 10/16/08.  Derry Rush with Chrome bright 10 pound summer steelie from Kalama River using Grand Rhonde River Rat from Black Heron Fly Fishing. 10/15/08  Beautiful Silver salmon from the Kalama River caught on 10/15/08 by Derry Rush. DATED 10/15/08 DATED 10/14/08 The Kalama River was smoking today !!!!!!! Lots of fish have been reported today in the fly angling section of the river. During the week the river seems to be giving up more fish due to lower pressure.  Jeff Traver, owner of Stone Fly Guide Service with 2 steelies and a silver from the Kalama River. These fish were taken using BH Lifter patterns. See John Kendall at Black Heron Fly Fishing for particulars on where to go and how to catch these fish while they are available. Black Heron Fly Fishing 1060 14th Ave Longview, Washington 98632 360-575-3970 office Dated 10/14/08 DATED 10/13/08  Jeff Traver with a nice summer run steelie from the Kalama River. Dated 10/13/08  Kalama River steelies and silvers courtesy of Stone Fly Guide Service. Dated 10/13/08 DATED 10/9/08  Jeff Traver with a nice 13 pound steelie from the Kalama River. Caught on a BH Lifter pattern. Dated 10/10/08 DATED 10/07/08  Rob Singer with a pair of nice coho from the Kalama River. Caught using a #4 Black Wooly Bugger. Dated 10/07/08 10/3/08 The Kalama river has seen a large number of coho move into the river. They can be very skidish with the lower clear water. With rain on the way more fish will move into the river this weekend and hopefully be more aggressive than the fish currently in the river. The Chinoook are closed to retention. Hatchery Coho and steelies are open. Plan on using sinking tip fly lines such as Teeny T series T200, Type 6 sinking tips, Sinking Leaders 7ips, and the ever so popular deep water express which will rip your head off if not careful. Some of the more popular areas are the Beginners Hole, Modrow Bridge, The Canyon area below the second hatchery and the Red Barn Hole. DATED 9/18/08  Classic fly fishing run from Kalama river. Photo by Ed Madlena 9/18/08  Kalama River Deer. Photo Ed Madlena 9/18/08  Ed Madlena with a chinook salmon caught using flies on Kalama River. Dated 9/18/08  Nice Kalama River Chinook salmon caught using a fly rod . Photo by Ed Madlena dated 9/17/08  Ed Madlena with a pair of nice Summer Steelies from the Kalama River using a fly rod. Dated 9/16/08  Ed Madlena with a chromer from the Kalama River. Caught using a Green Butt Skunk and Sage 10 ft 9 weight fly rod. Dated 9/15/08 DATED 9/10/08  Greg Helem with a nice 14 pound silver from the Kalama River. The silvers are in the Kalama River good now. Plan on fishing late and early in the day depending on pressure from other anglers. Dated 9/10/08 DATED 9/3/08 The Kalama River is beginning to build up there Cohos. There have been reports of alot of Coho being caught at Camp Kalama and at several other areas above this site. The Kalama river is now Fly Fishing only from the Intake at the lower hatchery to the Pipeline from September 1 till October 31st, 2008. Please consult the game regulations for particulars.  WALTER PISTOR with a nice 15 pound summer steelie from the Kalama river. Dated 9/3/08 Dated 8/26/08  Walter Pistor with a beautiful summer steelie from the Kalama River. 8/26/08 Dated8/25/08  STEVE GRAYSON WITH A SUMMER STEELIE FROM KALAMA RIVER USING A OCTOBER CADDIS PUPA.  The evening fishery has improved but the still the majority of fish are being caught in the morning. The Red Barn Hole, Beginners Hole and Modrow bridge should all be good prospects. There have been fish recycled down stream on the Kalama since 8/14/08. Most fly fishing has been done early in the morning on this river. The evening fly anglers seem to have been smoked by the fish and turned off for some reason. We recommend you use extrememly lite gear an small flies for these fish as they are being pounded by the bait anglers pontoon boats and other people on a regular basis. The fly angling only section will open in September. Stay tuned!!!!!!! FISHING  Rob
Singer pictureed below with a nice 10# summer steelie from the
Kalama River caught using a floating fly line and green but skunk.
8/7/08Date 8/5/08 The Kalama river has seen an upturn in the number of Steelies coming back to the hatchery. The hatchery has also seen a increase in the number of Jacks returning to the Kalama. Be looking for the Kalama to see a large number of fish return next year (2009) due to the number of jacks forecast and expected this year in the river. The water is low and clear fish dry lines and light gear. The canyon area should have excellent fishing now that the fish are in a returning mode. Most fishing has occurrded in the area from the beginners hole to second hatchery. There are fly rod being caught and the river is in good shape. The Canyon area should be very good with its hard access by goat trail. The best patterns for the Steelhead this time of year are the Green Butt Skunk, Egg Sucking Leech, Bead Head Prince Nymphs, Bead Head Stone Fly Nymphs, Egg Patterns, Purple Perils and Lady Carolines.Alternate patterns might include some Intruders, Marabou spey patterns and Steelhead String Leeches. The smolt plant reports can be found at : http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/harvest/06-07/smolts.htm This report will be for the fish returning for 2007/2008 winter and summer run fish. !!!!!!!!!!You might want to take a look at this report.!!!!!!!!!!! Please checkout the web page www.blackheronflyfishing.com for real time weather and river level reports from the USGS using the links on their home page. |