Nowadays, when fishermen think of the Klamath River, no longer do great and healthy salmon runs come to mind. A major die-off occurred several years ago. Since then, the Klamath has been surrounded by reports of low water, warm water, poor salmon returns and battles between giving salmon and other fish enough cool water to survive, versus letting the farmers have all the water they want.

In anticipation of a historically well-below-normal return of chinook salmon this past fall, anglers weren't allowed to keep any adult salmon. The runs were so poor that drastic measures have been taken, including closures up and down the California coastline, to try to preserve chinook.

Nevertheless, while the salmon struggle and generate bad publicity, the Klamath's steelhead can still stand tall. From early fall through early spring, steelhead numbers continue to impress anglers on the wild and scenic Klamath River, which harbors a thriving population of wild and hatchery steelhead.

"We've been enjoying bumper crops of steelhead for the last five years, and I don't think it's going to change," said veteran Klamath River steelhead guide Wally Johnson of Seiad Valley Guide Service. "Some days, you can catch 20 steelhead a day on the Klamath. The steelhead seem to be doing fine. The steelhead come in a different time of the year when there's more water, and it's cooler water."

MORE FISH -- FEWER PEOPLE
The Klamath steelhead run is intact, and hatchery operations should keep the run persistent for years to come. However, the Klamath is a much different system than its neighbors to the north and south. The Klamath is a fairly large system, but still doesn't tend to carry trophy fish.

Fortunately, anglers don't come thinking they'll land a trophy steelhead. Steelhead to 12 pounds are caught annually; however, you are more apt to catch 3- to 6-pound fish. Anything heavier than 7 pounds is a very good fish for the Klamath.

"The difference between the Klamath and the Smith River is that there's more fish on the Klamath and less people," Johnson added. "The Smith has bigger fish, but tons of people. You are fighting crowds all the time there."

Crowds and the Klamath River mix as well as oil and vinegar. You are likely to see more bears than other anglers on the Klamath -- at least along the stretch of the Middle Klamath River near the town of Happy Camp, a former logging town. It now serves as a base for anglers fishing the section of the river between the Scott River and Orleans. It's one of the river's most productive stretches of water and tends to be kind to anglers.

Happy Camp lies downriver of the more crowded section of river between Interstate 5 and Iron Gate Reservoir, just north of Yreka. During the winter, Happy Camp and the surrounding area is a perfect spot for anglers wanting to not see another soul, yet still endure great fishing.

"The serenity of not having a bunch of people around is tough to beat," Johnson said. "The river is all yours. When people call about the Klamath, I tell them you probably won't see any other boats, unless they are fishing with our group."

He's right -- and the same goes for bank anglers. Many anglers argue that the Klamath offers the best bank-fishing for steelheaders in the state. There's dozens and dozens of miles of fishable roadside water. There's also dozens of put-ins and take-outs, making drift-boat fishing excellent.