Down and Across, 5 steps and Down and Across agian! 3 cast into it .....WHAM.....I could tell that this was no orinary fish! My 4 x leader strained as I recovered from the last massive run, and started to get the brute to where I could see it. I KNOW WILLIAMSON RIVER REDBANDS can be mean, but there was something different about this fish. Once I got the better of the finned rocket, I was flabbergasted at the sight of my damsel fly lodged agianst teeth that were not from a redband. Upon...

When fly anglers speak of the Williamson River , the conversation usually centers on one thing: size . This legendary spring-fed gem in the Klamath Basin is world-renowned for hosting massive, lake-run Redband trout that migrates from Agency and Upper Klamath Lakes. While many approach these waters with heavy indicator rigs or stripped leeches, there is a more soul-satisfying way to meet these giants—the Trout Spey swing . Swinging a fly on the Williamson isn't just a tactic; it’s an exercise...

2026 Williamson River Fly Fishing Forecast: The Year of the Redband Williamson River Redband The 2026 season on the Williamson River is shaping up to be one for the record books. For anglers chasing the legendary trophy redband trout of Southern Oregon, the stars are aligning. Between a stabilizing post-dam removal ecosystem and specific hydrologic trends in Upper Klamath Lake , the "gem of the High Desert" is ready to show off why it’s considered the premier destination for a fly fishing...