Join Us for the Day fishing the Kalama River

Day Trip: Saturday, August 1| Haydu Park (Meet @ 8:00am)

This is a WFDW access site so a valid Discovery Pass or WFDW fishing access pass is required to be displayed.

Join Fishmaster Michael Golob for a fly-fishing outing on the beautiful Kalama River. You can just fish for the day, or you can fish and attend a BBQ at Michael's house after, or you can just come to the BBQ.

Either way, come ready to fish, explore, and enjoy time together.

Three Ways to Join the Outing

Option 1: Fish the River

Come for the day on Saturday, August 1. We’ll meet in the morning at Haydu Park and self-shuttle up the Red Barn put in. Fish for Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout.

Option 2: Fish the River, then drive up to Michael and Paula's place on the river for an afternoon BBQ.

Turn the outing into a full day of fishing and BBQ with friends.

Option 3: Just attend the BBQ at Michael and Paula's. 

If you plan to attend the Kalama outing and BBQ at my cabin, please let me know by July 29th so I can buy the food and drinks. 

Paula and I will be serving hamburgers, brats, chips, cookies, and beans. We will have soft drinks and beer for drinks.  If you want, you can bring a side dish or dessert to share. Also, a chair since we only have seating for 20 people and 45 attended last year.

We will serve food between 1-3pm to give time for those who plan to fish.

Saturday Tentative Itinerary

Main gathering location: Haydu Park, 8:00am.

Google Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vxmCkwqoQohkpdDq7

Fishing Plan

This is an easy river to float. There are many places to pull over and fish in solitude. 

Recommended setup:

• Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout

• Tackle: 4wt, 6wt fly rod. Floating line with 4x - 5x leaders and tippet. fish tidally influenced, slower water with structure.

• Tactics: Sea-runs seek out slower holding water where they can hide from the current. Target pools, eddies, cut banks, overhanging branches, and submerged timber.

• Fly Selection: Small baitfish imitations (like a black or olive Woolly Bugger), Clouser Minnows, and general attractor dry flies (like a Madame X or Elk Hair Caddis) are reliable

• Steelhead

• Tackle: 6-8 weight switch or Spey rods, Skagit or Scandi heads with floating lines or intermediate tips (T-8 or T-11) to get the fly just above the rocky structure.

• Tactics:  August brings lower, clearer water, so early morning or late evening sessions are best. Swinging flies across heavy tail-outs and pocket water is the standard. Use compact or floating Skagit heads with 10-foot moderate sink tips (T-8 or T-11) to get down in faster currents.

• Fly Selection: Pattern choices should include smaller traditional wets (e.g., Silver Hilton, Green-Butt Skunk, Max Canyon) in sizes 4 to 8, or small, sparsely tied intruders and leech patterns.
• Fly-Water Section: This regulated fly-fishing-only water stretches from Summers Creek up to Kalama Falls. It offers pristine, protected pocket water perfect for swinging flies to holding fish.
  

• RSVP Required

If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email mpgolob@gmail.com with the following information:

1. Your name

2. Names of anyone coming with you

3. Your cell phone number

4. Emergency contact name

5. Emergency contact phone number

6. Will you be attending the BBQ?

RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and plan for food at the BBQ.