Tucked away on California’s North Coast amongst the giant Redwoods, Gold river Lodge is the perfect steelhead retreat on the Klamath River.
The Klamath River, historically, was home to one of the most prolific runs of steelhead in the world. Zane Grey, Trey Combs, Bill Schaadt, and countless other legendary anglers once tread its gravel-lined banks casting flies for the river’s well known half-pounders, and, adult steelhead.
The new addition is the Bansemer family and Gold River Lodge. Jim Bansemer, drawing from an esteemed home construction background, custom-built the lodge in the summer of 2007 and now operates with the help of his son, head guide, and property manager, Kenton Bansemer. The Bansemer’s pour their passion for fishing and service into every glass of wine, savory meal, lodge detail, and second of the long fishing days on these fabled Klamath River runs. It’s no surprise they have developed a strong core of guests who return year after year not as clients, but friends and family.
The lodge sits perched just above water’s edge on the north bank of the river, only a stone’s throw from where the mighty Klamath meets the sea. Fresh smoked salmon, ocean air and spectacular views of the Klamath’s estuary and wildlife can all be enjoyed from the comfort of the back balcony. It is a step back in time to the days of “steelhead lore,”, and every guest at Gold River Lodge walks away relaxed, a pound or two heavier, and with plenty of memorable fishing stories.
The fishing program at the lodge is focused mainly on the steelhead and salmon runs of the Klamath River in the summer and fall, and the mighty coastal steelhead of Southern Oregon’s Chetco, Elk, and Sixes Rivers during the winter months. On the Klamath, jet boats are used to shuttle from one long sweeping steelhead run to the next while rafts are deployed to float wild and scenic sections of Oregon’s coastal rivers. The lodge’s dead-center location allows for incredible flexibility to fish where the fish are and where the conditions are best. Anglers can change locations every day, or stay where the fishing’s hot!
Headed out on your next adventure with us? The Fly ShopⓇ has you covered. As a thank you to our guide service, private waters and school guests, enjoy 15% off all retail purchases for a year! — the perfect chance to gear up before your trip.
Whether it’s flies, leaders, apparel or a new rod and reel outfit, we’ve got everything you need to make your journey more comfortable, more successful, and more fun. (some exclusions apply)
