Hornbrook, Calif. - While longtime Klamath River fall Chinook anglers say this year’s run appears to be a week or two behind schedule, the number of salmon showing up near Hornbrook is big enough to draw plenty of attention.
Nearly two dozen drift boats launched at Iron Gate Hatchery Sunday to drift the section of the river upstream from Interstate 5 in hope of hooking the prized Klamath River fish. Bank anglers also tossed spinners from the handful of access points upstream from the freeway.
Through Monday, 458 salmon had entered the fish ladders at the hatchery, while hundreds more are staging below. Salmon can be seen splashing and rolling throughout the river, and anglers, especially those in drift boats, have been enjoying fair to good success.
With salmon season now closed on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon, fishermen from the Medford area have been heading south on I-5 to fish the Klamath, while interest from local anglers also has increased in recent days.
The fall salmon season has given a boost to businesses in Hornbrook, particularly the Chevron station and Fish Hook Restaurant.
Anglers expect fishing to improve as more salmon show up near Hornbrook and remain fair to good through the end of the month.
Three salmon per day can be kept on the Klamath with this year’s large quota.