2025 in Review
Yet another year is almost over. It seems as if each year goes by faster as time goes on. Even more reason to enjoy each and every moment spent on this earth. It’s now time to reflect on all of the good times spent on the water this past year. First and foremost, I want to take a moment to thank each and everyone of you for not only fishing with me but for our friendship. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know lots of people through guiding and with that, comes a lot of new friends. Good friends. That is one of the SPECIAL things about guiding that I love. Not to mention, getting the opportunity to put a lot of you on your first fish and many of you onto a fish of a lifetime. So, again. Thank you!
As always, I want to thank all of my sponsors that help me put all of you on the water with quality gear. Those sponsors include, Willie Boats, Douglas Rods, Okuma, Shimano, Owner, Pline, Beckman, Yakima Baits, RMI, Mad River Manufacturing and BnR Tackle. If and when you fish on your own and need anything pertaining to fishing, please give these businesses a chance to take care of your needs.
Now it’s time once again to take a look back at what went on in the fishing world in 2025.
Winter Steelhead
Weather wise, we had a great water year, which in turn made for some really good river conditions. Moving around from river to river was required for optimum fishing conditions. For the most part, we had some really good fishing days. Up North was tough from time to time but did produce some good days. The Eel system and a couple other small streams were my biggest producers with a couple teener sized steelhead in the mix. Overall, I believe it was a good season and the fish were in great shape. It seems that when we have good rainy winters, we have good returns of fish. Most of us know this as fact. So let’s hope the trend of wet weather continues. I for one, do not like droughts. Think WET people!
Trout and Kokanee
Wow! That’s the first word that comes to mind when I look back at this season. Throughout the year people always ask, how’s the fishing? Well, when they asked about the Redding season, the words out of my mouth were always the same, “It was the best season so far in the time that I have fished it.” From the river to the lakes, it was FANTASTIC! The river was consistent but the lakes just seemed to get better and better as the month went on and as I pointed out earlier in the Winter steelhead report, it all had to do with water conditions. Plenty of water in the lakes results in plenty of feed for the fish. Which turns into good fishing for anglers. Water means fish!
Fall Salmon and Steelhead
This year I ended up moving from the Rogue to the Klamath, back to the Rogue and finishing up back on the Klamath. Very thankful to have these options available. It enabled me to be able to put my people on the best fishing opportunity during that particular time frame. The Rogue produced some really nice salmon. Most of my fishing this year on the Rogue was spent in the estuary. Mostly because the fish just didn’t move upstream in good numbers at any time during the season. The Klamath was a pleasant surprise. We just weren’t sure what the water conditions would be like after dam removal. I am happy to report that the river is the cleanest I have ever seen it. Temp wise, no real changes from the past. Until the inland temps cool off, the water still warms up as it travels to the coast. Fishing wise, steelhead fishing early season was a bit slower than in years past but from Labor Day weekend through mid September, the fishing was OFF THE HOOK! Double digit days were the norm.
Late Fall Salmon
This fishery was really hit and miss this year. The lack of rainfall was the main factor. Plenty of fish around but the conditions for fishing were not so favorable. It was definitely a big fish year. The ones we and others landed, were absolute beauties. The returns according to the sonar on the Smith were really good. The Chetco returns were good as well. Good for the fish, not so good for fisherman. Hopefully they have a successful spawn and we get a good chance at them 3-4 years from now.
That wraps up the report for 2025. Thanks again to all of you for fishing with me and for the friendships. I appreciate all of you and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. See you on the water.
Tight Lines
Alan
As always, I have gift certificates available at anytime throughout the year.
Alan Borges Guide Service 