Alaska Charter Service

Accommodations

Bonanza-Style Ranch Comfort

Season

August-November

Species

Steelhead

Ideal for

All Anglers

Summer Run Steelhead Fishing on the Klickitat River

The Steelhead Ranch is located on a beautiful 40-acre piece of property with an amazing double mountain view. The Ranch has direct access to the Klickitat River – certainly one of the finest summer run steelhead fisheries in the entire Pacific Northwest! The Klickitat has a strong summer run of both wild and hatchery steelhead with a solid fall run of chinook salmon. The guides are very experienced and know the river incredibly well. The Steelhead Rach staff can accommodate the spey-only angler, as well as take care of anglers just getting into the spey game. This is truly a great option for domestic Pacific Northwest steelhead fishing!

Lodging Details
The Steelhead Ranch provides ‘Bonanza Style’ ranch comfort with a gorgeous three bedroom ranch-home that serves as the main lodge and centerpiece of the operation. Perfectly laid out to accommodate groups with a large living room and wide screen television with plenty of seating to enjoy the evening ball game. The house has a large dining room that is more like a steelhead fly fishing museum with every model of two-handed rod ever made adorning the ceiling and an amazing fly tying station with literally all of the tying materials needed to kick out any form of steelhead candy!

There are three additional lodging units right out back with two bedrooms and a full bath in two of the three. All of the units are fully air-conditioned, clean, and comfortable with daily maid service. There is also a fire pit for storytelling and reliving the past day’s events!

Food and Beverages
You will not go hungry when staying at the Steelhead Ranch. Jan and the rest of the staff do an amazing job with the meals – the food is fantastic! All meals are home cooked, western cuisine, and served family style. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main house and lunch are on the water with your guide. There is a serve-yourself bar and you are welcome to bring your own liquor. Beer and dinner wine is included with your package

Non-Angling Activities and Options
There are quite a few things to do in the area for the non-angler. Interpretive scenic river floats, birding tours, day hikes, and winery tours can all be arranged.

Internet / Communications
Wireless internet is available free of charge, and there is spotty cell coverage at the ranch. Please check with your service provider about specific coverage in the area.

How To Get There
The Steelhead Ranch is located about 15 minutes from the town of Klickitat, Washington. Guests should book their flights into Portland, Oregon (PDX) and rent a car for the 2-hour drive to the Steelhead Ranch.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Trips can be booked and scheduled any day of the week and anglers can arrive and depart on any day of the week at any time.

Documents Required
A Washington fishing license can be purchased at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/. A Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead endorsement are also required for all anglers of age 15 years and older fishing for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River or its tributaries.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog works directly with and recommends Kanna Travel. They can assist with airline tickets, hotels, transfers and all travel logistics for every destination that we offer. Contact them at 855-739-3139 or [email protected] for more details on airfare ticketing, travel services, and trip insurance.

General Information
The headwaters of the Klickitat River originate on the glacial slopes of Mount Adams. The drainage is quite steep and with impassible class-5 rapids on the lower river. The Klickitat enters the Columbia River only 120 miles from the saltwater making for some incredibly hot, fresh fish!

This glacial waterway is home to a strong run of both summer steelhead and fall chinook salmon. The fishery is a mix of wild and hatchery fish. The wild steelhead are strong and unpredictable! They are typically caught in the 8-12 pound class with fish in the 20-pound class occasionally landed. The wild summer steelhead runs to enter the river anywhere from June until the end of November. The hatchery steelhead that inhabits the Klickitat are of the Skamania strain and are known to be incredibly hard fighting fish.

The guides of the Steelhead Ranch are very accomplished in both swing and nymph tactics with the ability to accommodate anglers of all skill levels. The Klickitat is a smaller stream, but two handed rods are certainly useful and there are great swing runs up and down the river! The guides are all skillful spey casters and instructors with a vast knowledge of the fishery. If swinging flies is your game, then you have come to the right spot! The staff works hard to customize the experience of each angler based on their skill level and preferred technique.

Boats and Equipment Required
The guides at the Steelhead Ranch are typically using western style drift boats, and also do use rafts in some situations. All of your fishing equipment and flies are included in the price of your package.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge.

2019 Pricing (based on double occupancy)
3 nights / 2 days = $1,285.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $1,830.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $2,375.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $2,920.00 per person

Included
– Lodging
– Guided fishing
– All meals (cooler lunch while fishing)
– House beer and dinner wine
– Rods/reels, flies, and tackle provided by the guide
– Guide pickup & drop off on each day of fishing
– River shuttle fees for guide’s vehicle

Excluded
– Airfare
– Airport transportation (rent a car)
– Alcoholic beverages on guide trips (BYO)
– Fishing licenses & steelhead permits
– Waders and wading boots (BYO)
– Gratuities for fishing guides
– Gratuities for lodge staff
– Lodging taxes (will be added to invoice upon booking)