The Rush of Cold Steel

Klamath River - Upper - CA - Hornbrook, CA (Siskiyou County)

The Rush of Cold Steel
This is how you start frigid morning off!
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell

by Scott Caldwell
12-9-2016
Website

December on the Klamath river is what Winter Steelhead fishing is all about. Frigid temperatures  rain and snow are the kinds of weather a person typically saddles up next to the fire with a good book or movie. For the fisherman, it means the beginning of frozen fingers, multiple layers clothing , thermos's hot loaded coffee,  and the constant rush of adrenaline as the search for the wiley Winter Steelhead has begun. That rush of adrenaline is what keeps the Steelhead fisherman warm in his/her quest for the hogs of Winter. On most rivers including the Klamath, Winter means the biggest baddest hard fighting  Steelhead the river has to offer. These hard fighting anadromous brutes jump and rip drag like no other fresh water ocean going fish , no matter the size they put on battle , this is what causes that blood warming rush,  and thus the frigid ugly weather is forgotton. This past week on the Klamath River my clients fished through that ugly weather with temperatures in low 20"s and some snow mixed in. Our efforts were rewarded with dozens of hard fighting Steelhead and Trout in the 1 to 8 pound class. That steady action kept the adrenaline flowing through our veins and the frigid weather was forgotten as the thought of the next 8 pound drag ripping brute kept us focused. Of course, the coffee, breakfast roles and soup kept hot by the blazing propane heater helped too.  Don't let the cold weather scare ya off the Winter Steelhead adrenaline rush is out there just a few short casts away. 

Hog on the bounce
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Sun came out for a bit
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Finishing the day off right
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
These fat hard fighting fish love the plug
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Can't beat these hard fighting brutes!
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Aggressive hard fighter
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
This is how you spend an Anniversary
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Bouncing for Steelhead
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
One of the 15 plus Andy and Valerie landed
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Winter Peace and quiet
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
Fish on!
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell


< Previous Report Next Report >




< Previous Report Next Report >


More Reports


12-1-2016
Month in month out one thing you can count on is consistent Steelhead fishing on the Klamath River. This year...... Read More

And the Kitchen Sink too
McCloud Reservoir

11-22-2016
Weather or not, McCloud reservoir is your Winter (fishing) Wonderland  Conner and I had the reservoir to ourselves this afternoon and...... Read More