It's that time of year again, yet another summer has come and gone. Dog days waning, with a transition on the way. Maple leaves are beginning to wilt and turn, with the grasses ever dryer. Poison Oak, the very first to begin the change, vibrant red, burnt orange, yellow and some still green enough to fool you. Turnouts once covered and hidden from the unknowing now beg for a look see. Feeder creeks playing with reality, now you see 'em now you don't. Dodging wooly bears inching their way across the highway. Mosquitos finally fleeting, kinda. Giving an old growth a pat of respect on the way past, many droughts they've survived. Wishing you could've been here at this very moment when it was just a sapling... Morning shadows hanging on for a late fish. Darkness slowly creeping towards a favorable nights sleep. That's the way it goes, the way it should be.

Every year we go up and down, this summer was no different. Though, more than we've seen in the recent past. Fire, smoke, drought, warm, low water, good fishing, tough fishing…these fish have survived it all, countless times. Things change, it's inevitable, can you?

Rick Davis admiring a beauty before return.

Bob Dowling with bright one we had to pull all the tricks out on to get her to go.

Does anybody get more jacked than Fred Pendergast?, no.

Water temps were the big issue this year, and on most anglers minds. And for good reason.

When water temps get hot, reach for something cold.

Jason Hartwick with a dandy, no you're not on the Dean

Greg Someson waited until the very last minute for this one. Worth the wait.

Lee Spencer keepin'em wet and real all at once.

Fire was another big issue and continues to be.

John Luis, understands it, gets it, does it.

Father and son first steelhead experience, coming all the way from Georgia. Took both Russ and Chip Harden to land this beast, about as big as they make'em in the summer.

A summer of change, a summer to remember. Thank you to all that fished with me and continue to do so. Looking forward to the coming fall and the changes it will most definitely bring...

Keep keepin'em wet,

Rich

PS- we have just two spots remaining for the Jefferson Spey Sessions. For more info, scroll down and get in touch if interested. Thanks

Come join Whitney Gould, Jason Hartwick and Rich Zellman on the mighty Klamath River, and be engaged in all things spey/all things steelhead for three days of on the water guided instruction.

The Jefferson Spey Sessions were designed to target sink-tip and floating line spey cast fundamentals, both for those who are developing new skills and those who want to evolve what they already know. No spey casting experience required. Gain confidence in the swung fly for summer/fall steelhead, wherever they may take you. Spend three days floating the lower Klamath in one of the wildest corners in California. Big, broad, classic, bouldery riffles and never ending tail-outs invite the spey rod and swung fly. With the Klamath’s famed half-pounders eager to pounce and the bigger late run fall adults beginning to show, opportunities to put new skills to the test abound. Whitney, Jason and Rich share a passion that is unmatched for teaching, spey, steelhead and watching their students grow. Experience a day with each of them and you’ll emerge from the Jefferson Spey Sessions a spey caster and more seasoned angler.

Enjoy three nights of lodging at the historic Klamath River Lodge, which sits atop two prime steelhead runs. Built in the 30’s, by a steelhead fly-fisherman so that he could revel in the spoils of the lower Klamath. Sold in 1964 to the present owner, the lodge now is a staple among fall steelheaders and rarely has a vacancy from September on. Guests return year after year. Rustic cabins nestled amongst the trees offer, clean, comfortable rooms and all the necessary amenities, at double occupancy. Jason, Rich and Whitney are excited to share this place with you!