McCloud, Klamath and Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Riley Renick of Wild Waters Fly Fishing Reports on December 1st, 2025

We just wrapped up our last fall trips on the McCloud, Klamath, and Trinity. After a busy
season, the guides are finally getting a little downtime—catching up with family, chasing
upland birds, fixing gear, and getting our heads right for winter steelhead. It’s that time
of year when the waders get to dry out for a minute before the next push.

McCloud Season Wrap-Up
The McCloud gave us another solid year—right in line with the last few strong seasons.
Water quality held up great outside of a couple short windows of off-color glacial runoff.
Overall, the river fished consistently from opener to close, with plenty of healthy trout in
the mix.

The McCloud stays open through winter, but keep in mind that The Nature Conservancy
section is closed, and snowfall can make access to the public water tricky.

Klamath
No way around it—the mid-Klamath had a tough fall. From Happy Camp up toward Iron
Gate, steelhead numbers were lean even though the salmon showed up in good shape.
Water quality wasn’t the issue, the fish just weren’t there in the numbers we’re used to.
Steelhead runs are cyclical, and this year was simply one of those down swings. With
dam removal underway and better days ahead for salmon and steelhead recovery,
we’re optimistic for the future—but for now, we’re stepping away from the Klamath for
the rest of the season.

Looking Ahead – Winter Steelhead
Winter steelhead season is right around the corner, and we’ll be guiding primarily on the
California coast near Crescent City, CA and on the upper Rogue around Medford, OR.
We chase these fish using a swung fly and two-handed rods, as well as single handers
and indicators.

We still have a handful of January dates open. Contact us HERE or give
us a call at 877-934-7466 to get on the calendar.

Available January Dates:
8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 22, 23, 30, 31

Gift cards are available as well perfect for holiday gifts or for treating yourself. Contact
us to purchase before the holidays.

Riley Renick
Owner / Guide
info@wildwatersflyfishing.com
877-934-7466