FLY FISHING IN SOUTHERN OREGON IS FROM TREASURED WATERS

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RAINBOWS IN HOLYWATER

Most expert anglers agree that Southern Oregon holds some of the best fly-fish waters anywhere in the western region of the United States. Our native anglers will agree, and some will share their secrets. One location known by nearly all local enthusiasts is named “The Holy Water.” This short stretch of catch-and-release–only water on the Rogue River is just downstream from the Lost Creek Recreational Lake Dam, near the town of Shady Cove, on Highway 62. At “The Holy Water,” big rainbow trout inhabit creek-like water, and carefully inspect an angler’s offering. Main Source Tours will line up your own private guide to these walk-in waters and others on the Rogue River, for a brush-up lesson in fly fishing, and to learn techniques and “secret fly suggestions” to lure the native rainbows.

Also we recommend and provide guides and boats on a few of the high mountain lakes such as Howard Prairie, Hyatt and Lake of the Woods, less than an hour's drive from Rogue Valley towns. Our favorite is Lake of the Woods where this snow melt and spring fed lake offers up diverse catches of rainbow and brown trout as well as Kokanee and small mouth bass.

STEELHEAD TROUT IN THE UPPER ROGUE

The wiley summer steelhead trout season heats up in September through November. Fly-fishing is accessible from Hwy 62 at Casey State Park just above Shady Cove. Here McKenzie-style drift boats are launched and travel down as far as Gold Rey Dam near Medford. Adult Summer Steelhead can run 4 to 10 pounds and require a bit of skill to land. An average of over 12,000 summer steelhead can arrive above Gold Rey Dam near Medford during this seasonal run.

Another good wading or drift boat starting place is Tou Velle State Park on Table Rock Road near White City. There are several productive steelhead runs here, easy access, and lots of cool shade trees to sit under when your arm needs a break. Main Source Tour’s private guides and can drift you through or walk you through this section.

KLAMATH RAINBOWS AND GERMAN BROWN TROUT ARE THE REAL LUNKERS

Will Johnson at the Rogue Angler Fly Shop in Ashland agrees that the Rogue River is the place to start, but reminds us that there is also great trout action just “over the hill” in the Klamath Falls area. Will has perhaps the best trout fishing gifts and gear hosting a nation-wide gift and gear website.

The Williamson River of the Klamath Falls region is often named among the very top trophy rainbow streams in the western United States. Trout are measured in pounds, not inches, here, with fish from 5 – 10 pounds common and sometimes even larger! Extensive private property makes the Williamson tough to fish from the bank and a guide is recommended to show you the ways of these lunkers. Contact Main Source Tours for the best Klamath Region guides which features Darren Roe and his crew of Roe Outfitters. This family owned business has been offering guided adventures since 1984 in the Klamath Falls region.

(picture here of Kim with big trout) caption: Main Source Tours owner Kim Lewis display his 7-pound Williamson River trout caught on a white zonker.

The Klamath region perhaps quiets and clearest native trout river is The Wood River, a beautiful spring fed steam which flows into Upper Agency Lake after meandering through open ranges in this high desert region. Deep undercut banks hold large resident brown trout looking for streamer or hopper patterns to eat. And then there’s a Klamath Lake summer/fall run of huge rainbows that will challenge any angler.

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