In October of 2007 I made my first trip to the Klickitat to fish with Tracy Zoller. It is about an hour and a half from Portland, Oregon on the North side of the Columbia River in Washington. The drive is easy, and there is a Starbucks in Hood River about thirty minutes from his home on the river. The scenic drive is full of juniper, sagebrush, oak trees, and rimrock up the canyon. The river is about as beautiful as any I've ever seen with dramatic canyons and classic pools, runs, and tailouts! It looked like a miniature Deschutes - we hoped the steelhead fishing would be as nice as the vista. It was.

My good friend Kelly Reed and I floated about eight miles with Tracy. His wife made us breakfast sandwiches with eggs, sausage, and cheese. They were fantastic. We landed three steelies, two on flies, one on gear. The biggest was about twelve pounds, the smallest was a six pound hatchery fish. But talk about potential!! I have already booked my return trip for next October. I plan to explore this river many times - you can never have too much "research".

FISHING INFORMATION AT THE KLICKITAT RIVER
You will be fishing for native and hatchery steelhead, chinook and coho salmon, and the occasional trout. Tracy is geared up for spinfishing and baitcasting with plugs and spinners, but fly anglers flock here each year as well. This is a glacial and fast moving river and techniques are specialized to target these fish. A guide here is a must as there is also limited bank access.

SEASON AT FISHING THE KLICKITAT RIVER
Summer & Fall Steelhead and Salmon
June 1st through November 30th

Fresh from the ocean these shiny fish start migration in good numbers June 1st through November.

Pound for pound the Steelhead is the hardest fighting fish in the world. It is common to have these fish jump three to five feet over and over, while screaming 40 to 50 yards of line off your reel. Also along with the Steelhead you will catch fat, jumping Silvers in the Fall.

Klickitat River Guides is located in Washington State, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge on the banks of the Klickitat River, a tributary of the Columbia River.

The closest major airport is Portland Oregon International. Rental cars are available and enjoy the trip though the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area via Interstate 84 to reach the Klickitat area.

Be sure to pick up your Washington State Fishing License and catch record card. Suggested location is Bridgemart which is located at item 3 below.

1. From Portland Oregon take I-84 East to Hood River Oregon 
2. Take Exit 64 of the hwy and turn left at the bottom of the exit, proceed across the Hood River Toll Bridge (75 cents) to the Washington side of the Columbia River
3. Turn right on the Washington side onto Hwy 14 (If you are stopping for your license, you will see Bridgemart immediatly on your right).
4. From this point, travel approximately 15 mile East on Hwy 14, cross over the Klicktiat River bridge, with signs on the right reading, Klickitat, Hwy 142 next left.
5. Take an immediate left onto Hwy 142. Travel upstream on the east side of the Klickitat River for 10 miles. When you cross the Klickitat at mile 10, take an immediate left into the open gate. Stay to your right on the gravel road for appx. 1 mile. You will pass a cedar home/private residence with a sign on the porch, Frog Water Ranch, please stay to your right and keep going. We are the next place, our sign is at the top of our entry driveway.