Can anyone tell me how the Kalama has been the last couple of days, and if their are fishable numbers of Springers(chinook) yet? Also, what's the latest on if it will be open to the taking of springers or not? Thanks.

I can't answer all your questions, but I was there March 23, in the afternoon and fished up at the deadline, in the canyon.

On the way up, by Prichard's, I noticed that the rock in the river by the store was under water, so the river is up just a little. Visibility is good, with 3-4 feet, and color is good.

I hooked into a big steelhead at the deadline. It gave me two big runs and three nice jumps. On the last jump, it spit the hook at me in mid-air. I would guess it was mid-teens and it was mint bright.

Lots of cuts and other smaller fish in the river.

Don't know about the salmon. Call Prichard's at (360) 673-4690. I hear talk of one here and there, but I haven't seen any or talked to anyone who has actually caught one.

I fished the Kalama on the 18th from Red Barn to Modrow. I saw 1 possible springer roll and none caught. Myself I landed 1 hatchery summer run steelie and 1 hatchery winter run spawner. I saw 1 native steelie c&r'd in another boat and had a few other strikes. River was in really good shape.

I went down there on the 18th and fished the Columbia (which is closed now) just outside the mouth of the Kalama. Was still a little early to fish the kalama for springers then. Lots of skiffs. Counted 18 on that sunday. Saw total of 3 springers landed for the 2 days all in the lower 20# range. I will be blackmouthing this weekend but plan on getting back down there middle April.
ANYONE ONE BEEN DOWN THERE FOR SPRINGERS LATLEY???

Fished on the 25th. Started at the deadline at dawn. It was quiet. Moved to the last drift in that upper stretch and spotted fish there. Caught two smallish, colored-up native steelhead bucks (I may have caught the same fish twice!). Since they were occupying the drift, I take it there were no salmon in that rather shallow spot.

The red barn hole was full of recent hatchery releases. No use fishing bait in that hole that day.

Caught one bright, smallish native hen below the red barn. Again no sign of salmon.

At Prichard"s, however, there were a number of boats in the parking lot and I saw one salmon being loaded up and heard talk of others. Sure wish I knew how to fish effectively for them from the bank!

River is in great shape color and clarity- wise. Level still covers the rock out in front of Prichard's.

Good luck!! And haul some trash off the river-bank while you're at it!

Fished The Kalama from Red Barn to Modrow on Sat/25th. 10 other boats, I didnt see any springers or sign of them. I talked to a few other boats with the same report. I released a 15 # nate hen for my mother! Nice fresh fish, she tore it up. Other than that, there are lots of smolt in the river, they keep you pretty busy/frustrated.

Fished several spots on the Kalama Saturday, 3/25. At the Hatchery Creek Hole, I landed a dark hatchery steelhead on a rag w/eggs around 8:00am. Tossed her back. No other fish. Some reports of springers being caught on shrimp but nothing reliable. Still too early for springers. Water is in great shape, a bit cloudy but not bad.

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MSB

Fished the Kalama today, no fish, saw six boats. Talked to people in two of the boats, no fish. One boat said he watched another boat C&R a 10lb Steelhead. Talked to a couple of bank anglers, no fish. I believe there aren't any Springers in the river.