Klamath Basin Trout Flyfishing / Bird Watching

Upper Klamath  / Wood River / Williamson River

Photo by Scott Haefner               Wood River entering into Agency Lake

Crater Lake is where Rogue Country begins. Crater Lake sits at about 7500-foot elevation on the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The Rogue drains west to meet the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. The Klamath Basin sits in the Valley to the East Side of the Cascades and Crater Lake.
 
The Basin has much to offer the outdoor traveler. From Crater Lake National Park the East entrance will take a route down the East side of the Cascades following Anne Creek to the ranching town of Fort Klamath here the Wood River and Crooked Creek bubble from the ground in huge crystal springs.

The Wood River is joined by Anne Creek and both flow south to Agency Lake and then to Upper Klamath Lake; while a few miles east Cooked Creek does the same.

Lined with Quaking Aspen these streams are meadow streams with under cut banks where Rainbow and Brown Trout to 15 pounds hide. Leave your bait home these streams are Flyfishing and lures only. Kimball State Park makes a good access area to these waters.

Flyfishing the Basin Streams / Photo by Running Y Ranch Resort

About 10 miles East of Fort Klamath is Highway 97; the main route north and south along the east flank of the Cascade Mountains. At Collier Memorial State Park Spring Creek a crystal clear stream meets the Williamson River as it leaves the marsh. The Williamson flows through Ponderosa Pine forests and Quaking Aspen stands running south to the Upper Klamath Lake. On the route Williamson is joined by another stream the Sprague near the town of Chiloquin. Home to Rogue Country Flyfishing Master Fly Tier E.A.“Polly” Rosborough who passed away a few years ago. “Polly” will always be here having developed nearly all of his fly tying innovations on these streams for over 60 years.

For more Basin information see Volcanic Legacy Byway or the  Great Basin Visitors Association web link.

The Klamath Basin is home to the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Millions of Ducks and Geese either visit or make the basin home. Bird Watching and canoeing in basin Lakes and marshes is a very pleasant outdoor recreational experience.

Fishing Areas

The Wood River and Crooked Creek are wonderful Flyfishing streams, however access is difficult as most of the Flyfishing area is private property. Our Outfitter and Guide members are most valuable in getting Flyfishing access and having local knowledge. Check with one of listed Outfitters and Guides.

The Williamson and Sprague Rivers

These Rivers known for very large Rainbow Trout, which move into the river from the area lakes. Five to ten pound trout are to be expected here with really big trout seen rolling. A professional Flyfishing Guide is not mandatory but highly recommended.


              Rainbow Trout caught fly-fishing in this Brian O'Keefe Photo.

              Check our Guide and Outfitter members on this page.

Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes are very large and not deep. Trout will congregate in one of many springs located in the lake. Using a local Flyfishing Guide is a great way to find these springs and their holding monster trout. Lake Rainbow Trout Flyfishing in the basin is a trophy trout fishery.

Klamath River Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting in the Upper Klamath River is a favorite summer activity.
Rogue Countries Whitewater Guides and Outfitters can give you a safe fun Whitewater Rafting experence, Rogue Klamath Adventures can help with your whitewater trip as these waters are for expert Whitewater Rafters..

National Wildlife Refuge

A Bird Watching dream.
The Refuge was established in 1928 and is comprised of 15,000 acres of mostly freshwater marsh and open water. These habitats serve as excellent nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds including American white pelican and several heron species. Bald eagle and osprey nest nearby and can sometimes be seen fishing in Refuge waters. A boat is a must for those Bird Watching enthusiasts who wish to explore this refuge. A marked canoe trail is open year round and canoes may be rented nearby. A fabulous Bird Watching opportunity. You may want to visit our Bird Watching page at this link: Oregon Bird Watching

Bird Watching at Running Y Ranch Resort

The abundance of unspoiled, protected lands surrounding the Running Y™ has made the area the most important gathering point for wild birds along the Pacific Flyway. It is also host to the largest gathering of wintering bald eagles in the continental U.S. With binoculars ready, birders have sighted the American bald eagle, American white pelican, osprey, Canada goose, pintail, mallard, gadwall, canvasback Western & eared grebs, black tern, great blue heron, great  egret and the snowy egret.

Bird Watching and Flyfishing at Historic Yamsi Ranch

Yamsi is 5000 acres of heaven on earth. Snugged high in the mountains above Chiloquin in south central Oregon, 10 miles of headwaters of the world-famous Williamson River meander softly through its vast meadows. The haunting calls of a giant Sandhill Crane pair, echos across the meadows in the morning; coyotes sing you to sleep by your candlelight each night.

Five generations of our family have lived here since “Uncle Buck” first came to Yamsi in 1911. Before that it was a sacred place to the Klamath Indians. The house and the land have an ancient and mysterious feel....and reach out to grab and hold your heart... forever.

Bird Watching Links:

Klamath Birding Trails
Hummingbirds
Kalmiopsis Audubon
Oregon Birds.org  

Great Basin Visitors Association                                   

About Klamath Falls, Oregon from Oregon.com

Just southeast of Medford and Ashland lies the growing community of Klamath Falls. Home to nearby Crater Lake National Park, this area boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the world!

The Klamath Basin is a depression formed by a huge prehistoric lake in the eastern foothills of the Cascade mountains. It has long been home to many Native American tribes, including the Klamaths, Modocs and the Yahooskins.

Trappers were the first westerners to visit the region, arriving in the 1820s. Explorers came next, searching for a southern route through the Cascade mountains.

Following the end of the Modoc Indian War in 1873, ranchers, farmers, and business-people began arriving to settle the area. Rapid growth of towns and industry followed the advent of the railroad in Klamath County in 1909. As Linkville grew and eventually reached out to encompass its neighbor, Altamont, the residents decided that the name was inadequate to describe the area's beauty and potential, and they renamed the city "Klamath Falls."

Industry:
Agriculture accounted for over $140 million during 1995. Cattle ranching, potatoes, grasses, sugar beets, and algae comprise the major agricultural industries. More recently, economic growth has brought manufacturing, communications, technology, government and tourism industries into the area, further diversifying the economy.

Population:
County: 60,500
Urban Growth Area: 45,000
City: 18,405

Climate:
January max. average: 38.3
January min. average: 19.6
July max. average: 81.9
July min. average: 48.9

Medical Care:
Merle West Medical Center is the largest health care facility in the area, with 176 beds, over 90 physicians and 1040 employees. It also boasts a cancer treatment center, a heart center, a center for occupational health, a family practice residency program and a kidney dialysis Center.

Be Listed on Rogue River Country Web Site!

E-mail: Contact Rogue River Country