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

 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

Tungsten Zebra Midge

BH Flashback Pheasant Tail

Copper John

Holo Prince

Lightning Bug

Stubby Stone

Tungsten Anato-May

 

Blue Wing Olive

Clown Shoe Sally

Hex Paradrake

Loco Hexagenia - Size 6

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.