The lower Klamath is in transition, not quite ready yet, but showing early signs. Flows are still running heavy, with over 4,000 cfs near Klamath Glen, and that’s keeping visibility on the low side due to remaining suspended sediment from the dam removals upstream. Water color isn’t chocolate milk, but it’s off enough to matter, especially in the slower stretches. Water temps are sitting in the low 70s, which isn’t helping either. Most of the movement right now is fast and light... small pulses of salmon and steelhead shooting through the system without holding, making for spotty action.

There are fish around, though, including some reports of 4–8 lb steelhead pushing through the creek mouths like Hunter and Salt. Those keyed in on these cooler inflows have had the best shot, working spinners and through the seams where warm meets cold. Everything is pacing behind flow... until that drops closer to 2,500 cfs and the river settles, we won't see much consistency.

Upstream, flows drop fast past Orleans, but fish density isn’t there yet. Most of the action worth talking about is still centered around the lower river.