Williamson River
Located in southern Oregon just north of Klamath Falls, the Williamson River measuring approximately 100 miles long, It drains about 3,000 square miles . Together with its principal tributary, the Sprague River, it provides over half the inflow to Upper Klamath Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Oregon. This nationally recognized treasure is home to the Great Basin redband trout which move to the river from Upper Klamath Lake to spawn as temperatures rise each summer. The Williamson River is famous for its trophy-size trout and rewards anglers each season with photo-worthy catch and memories to last a lifetime. With all wild rainbows often weighing in over ten pounds and the Klamath Redband Rainbows average over 20 inches. Much of the shoreline is privately with difficult wading, so fishing is done exclusively from drift boats.
Summer - Fall offers the best opportunities. The fish are primarily migratory, as the water temperatures in Upper Klamath Lake rises, the rainbows seek out the cool water sources. Of those, the Williamson River is the largest and draws the most fish.
The river boasts excellent caddis, mayfly and stone fly hatches, however due to the fact that the majority of the fish are not residents, they behave more like lake fish. Most fishing will be done sub-surface. Leeches, minnows, and nymphs are productive season long. There is a spectacular Hexagenia hatch in late June and early July.
Flies
Leeches/Streamers |
Nymphs |
Dries |
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BH Mini Leech Damsel Leech ZT Callibaetis Nymph Damsel Nymph - Size 10 Pine Squirrel Leech - Size 12 Scott's Damsel Bugger - Size 12 Zack Attack Damsel - Size 14 BH Hale Bopp Leech |
Frostbite Chironomid BH Flashback Pheasant Tail Copper John Holo Prince Lightning Bug Stubby Stone Tungsten Anato-May
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Blue Wing Olive Clown Shoe Sally Hex Paradrake Mayfly Cripple
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Tackle
Rods:
5 - 7 wt rods Rods under 5wt will not be allowed, fish are too large.
Lines:
- Rio InTouch RIO Gold
- Rio InTouch Hover Fly Line
- Rio InTouch CamoLux Fly Line
Leader/Tippet
- 3x - 5x Rio Fluoroflex Plus Tippet
- Rio Powerflex Plus Leader - 2 Pack
Rates includes all terminal tackle (flies, leaders, etc.), beverages, fly rods/reels at no charge upon request.
CATCH & RELEASE
All trout are released unharmed regardless of regulations.
Sample Itinerary
Meeting Time & Place: We typically meet at Crater Lake Travel Center
Length of the Day: Most full days conclude around 5:00pm. Half days end around 1:00pm
Lodging
- Shilo Inn - Klamath Falls
- Sleep Inn & Suites
- Running Y Resort
- Lonesome Duck Ranch
Licencing
- Licenses can be purchased online from MyODFW, You must posses a valid fishing license.