A typical day trip will start around 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM. Guests meet us at the Lonesome Duck Ranch and can park their vehicles on private, gated-in land. From there, a shuttle upriver is provided. All fly-fishing gear is supplied, from the rod and reel to all flies. Each angler will have multiple rods set up for different fishing techniques. Lunch, water, Gatorade, and snacks are all provided on the boat. We offer full-day trips, half-day trips, and split-day trips. Full days include at least eight hours of fishing time, half days include at least four hours, and split days offer four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. The fishing in the Klamath Basin is “quality over quantity.” While we do catch some of the biggest wild trout in the west, they are not easy to catch and are not typically caught in large numbers throughout the day. For those looking for constant action and don’t care about the size of the fish, there are better places to fish. But for those looking to improve their technique and get the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime, the Klamath Basin is the place to go.

The Klamath Basin is one of the most unique ecosystems in the country. The migratory redband trout live in Upper Klamath Lake during the winter, allowing them to gorge on baitfish and leeches and reach 20” in their first three years of life. However, water temperatures in the lake reach nearly 80 degrees during the summer, which forces the trout into the cold spring creeks that feed the lake. In these cold-water refuges, pods of sometimes 100+ fish can be found feeding on river insects. The rivers offer typical river entomology and lake entomology including damsels, dragonflies, and midges. The Williamson River has a famous Hexagenia Hatch, where monster trout can be found aggressively taking giant mayflies on the surface in the late evening hours. Klamath redband trout have access to hundreds of miles of un-dammed water that is full of bug life and baitfish species. For these reasons, these trout have a lifespan of 10–12 years and can reach up to 40” in length.

What do I need to bring?

• Warm clothes for the morning
• Lighter clothes for the afternoon
• Sunglasses or protective eyewear
• Sun protection
• Fishing license
• Sandals or water shoes

Is the fly fishing suitable for beginners?

While we do take beginners out regularly, the fly fishing in the Klamath Basin is very technical. If anglers are looking for an experience where they can easily catch many fish, there are other places that are better to go. However, for those looking to learn the sport of fly fishing and have the chance at catching the fish of a lifetime, this is the place to go.

What is the best time to fish?

July and August are the prime months when the most fish will be in the rivers. As in any fishery, there can be days when the fish don’t bite, even in the prime time. June can offer some of the highest numbers of fish, while the fish are not as big. October typically offers the largest fish, but slower action.