The Williamson River is a blue-ribbon, trophy trout spring
creek located in Southern Oregon, about 30 miles north of Klamath Falls. This
is the river made famous by E.H. Polly Rosborough in his classic book Tying
and Fishing the Fuzzy Nymphs. Polly, a West Coast pioneer in fly design and
hatch matching, dedicated much of his life to understanding this complex and
rewarding fishery. Dick Winter, now deceased, a former tyer for Polly, tied legendary flies for the river and developed his own acclaimed series of the
Black Drake Spinner and Hexagenia patterns.
The Williamson originates in the Winema National Forest and
is divided into two distinct sections: the Upper River above Klamath Marsh, and
the Lower River flowing through Chiloquin into Upper Klamath Lake. Each section
offers a unique fishing experience.
Lower River
Most guiding takes place on the Lower River, where we focus on catching large migratory Upper Klamath Lake Redband Trout, a wild population with genetic ties to steelhead. Average fish range from 4 to 7 pounds, with
10-pound (30-inch) trout not uncommon.
Seasonal highlights include:
Hexagenia mayflies and PMDs: June to July
Tricos: August
Mahogany Duns and BWOs: into fall
Streamer fishing is the most productive method for these
large predators. Full-sinking lines are used much of the year, with favorites
including seal buggers, leech patterns, soft hackles, and nymphs.
Upper River
The Upper Williamson offers a different experience, smaller,
more intimate waters with abundant hatches of Hexagenia (July) and Black Drakes
(June), attracting slightly smaller Redbands and brook trout. This is a walk-in
fishery, ideal for stalking spooky trout in tight bends and shallow channels.
The journey to the Upper River is about an hour and a half
from Chiloquin, making it perfect for a day of observing hatches, carefully
presenting flies, and enjoying lunch under towering Ponderosa pines.
Lower River: Most of our guiding occurs on the lower river and is concentrated on catching large migratory Upper Klamath Lake Redband Trout which have genetic links to steelhead. Average catches range from 4-7 pounds with 10 pound (30 inch) fish not uncommon. Highlights include the emergence of Hexagenia (large yellow mayfly) and PMD's in June and July, Tricos in August, and Mahogany Duns and BWO's into fall. Streamer fishing is by far the most productive method for catching these large predators. We use full sinking lines much of the year and our best streamers are seal buggers, various leech patterns. Soft hackles and nymphs are also productive.
Stalking on the Upper Williamson
Upper Williamson: The upper river is equally exciting with abundant hatches of Hexagenia (July) and Black Drakes (June) for slightly smaller redbands and brook trout. This is a walk-in fishery, quaint in size and character. The drive to this location is about an hour- and- a half from Chiloquin. This is a great way to spend a day stalking spooky trout feeding in tight bends and small channels, examining hatches and eating lunch under the giant Ponderosa Pines.
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