Weirs:
I did not receive the weir counts in time for this report but in checking with the W.C. weir I found out that we are getting good counts of steelhead (mostly wild) and that even though the Chinook counts are not high the fish are of good quality and in the 25 – 30lbs range.
Junction City weir counts for the first three weeks: 112 Chinook; 0 Coho; 6 Steelhead; 37 German Brown under 16in, 81 German Brown Trout over 16in for a total 118 GBT.
WC weir counts next week.
Lower Klamath Creel Counts: Fall Chinook below 101 Bridge – 24; above 101 Bridge – 128; Total 152 vs. ’09 – 245.
Steelhead below 101 Bridge – Released, 48; above 101 Bridge – Harvest – 22, Released – 384; Total 432 vs. ’09 – 749.
Fishing:
The Spring run is pretty much over except for a few late Springer’s. There are a few half-pounders showing up in Weitchpec and Hoopa but not large numbers yet. The Chinook are slow at moving up due to the hot water and temperatures last week (102 – 73) but with the crazy lows we have received this week (trace of rain) I would expect to see many more show up for the Labor Day weekend. From some of the fish I have seen counted at the W.C. weir the salmon look to be in good condition and fresh.
Wednesday:
Sept. 1st is the opening day for Fall Chinook on the Lower Trinity and I’m ready. It will also be the closing of the Grays Falls and Burnt Ranch Falls area. We lose some fishing area but gain much more. Next week’s weather looks to be a bit cooler and with the Klamath receiving higher water flows it all turns out to be a plus for fishing. This should start an influx of salmon and steelhead coming into the Lower Klamath and moving up river.
Trinity River Conditions:
The temperatures have been on a roller coaster this last couple of weeks. With the temperatures into the 100’s then down to the 50’s, it has meant you fish from first daylight to about 10am or when ever the sun hits the water then you wait for the evening fish. The Upper Trinity has been fair to good at times while the Lower Trinity has been slow. I expect to see a great improvement this Labor Day weekend.
Klamath River Conditions:
The Klamath flows are increasing and the temperatures are dropping. This has to be good new for fishing. Not only has the air temps dropped but the water temps are falling almost as fast. The cooler water at the mouth of the Lower Klamath will only bring in more fish. More fresh fish at the mouth means more fish heading up river. This last week has been pretty slow around Weitchpec. Cooler water and cooler days should be good for fishing and bring more salmon into the area. From the weather predictions we should even have some rain late next week.
River Flows and Conditions:
Trinity Lake is 55ft below the over flow (2ft increase) and 68 percent of capacity (1% decrease) at 10:00am today.
Inflow to the lake is -75cfs and 1,948cfs is being released to Lewiston Lake with 1,481cfs to the Sacramento River.
Trinity River at Lewiston releases are 467cfs, water temperatures 51.7 degrees.
Limekiln Gulch is 4.8ft at 455cfs. Douglas City is 6.5ft at 1,559cfs, water temps are 53.7 degrees, air 60 degrees.
Helena/North Fork is 9.4ft at 578cfs, water temps 58, air 68. Cedar Flat is 3.3ft at 644cfs.
Willow Creek 742cfs, water at 62 air 58. Hoopa is 11.9ft at 951cfs, water 67.6. Mouth of Trinity is 3,290cfs.
Klamath River releases at Iron Gate Dam are 1,280cfs. Seiad Valley is 2.6ft at 1,450cfs.
Happy Camp estimated at 1,520cfs. Somes Bar estimated at 2,065 cfs. Orleans is 3.9ft at 2,340cfs.
Klamath at 101 is 8.9ft at 3,520cfs water temperatures at 68.4 degrees.
Temperatures in the valley last week were 102/50 degrees with just a trace of rain, to date 84 inches. Weather next week in the valley predicted to be 86/47 degrees, with am clouds and pm sun. The valley has cooled down some this week with possible showers after the Labor Day Weekend. I know this is crazy weather for this time of year but it could be a blessing for the fish! This is the critical time of year when we need cool water for the Salmon and Steelhead to allow them to migrate up the rivers. Remember it was warm/hot that made up one of the conditions that helped the “Fish Kill” of 2002. We don’t need any more of those! |
