Rainbows on the Williamson River at the Yamsi Ranch

We have been intrigued with the Williamson River in Southern Oregon for many years. Although we floated the lower portion several years ago we had heard that there was really fabulous fishing at the headwaters of the river. This private water is known as the Yamsi Ranch and is a working cattle ranch and fly fishing lodge. We were lucky to secure reservations for 3 days and so headed north to spend the 4th of July fishing the Williamson.

Owners Gerda Hyde and her son John were more than cordial to us and truly made us feel a though we were part of their family. John introduced us to the river at the exact spot where the river began!! As it meanders through the meadow, springs in the river increase its size and as the river becomes larger, the fish do too! In the upper area, small brook trout were everywhere but as we walked downstream, we could see the larger rainbow trout as they darted out from the undercut banks. An abundant population of rainbows, many over twenty inches!

A heavy dumping of rain the night before our arrival slowed the fishing down and the weather remained somewhat unsettled. However, each day the temperature climbed and we were sure that before we had to leave, the hex hatch would be out. Our last evening, we remained on the stream until the moon was up and the coyotes were howling, before either of us would admit that they (the hex) just were not going to appear before we left!! We had had a very successful morning and a super evening fish, so it was impossible not to be happy, just disappointed that we had to return home before the "big" hatch hit!!
We can't wait to return next year for another wonderful visit with the Hyde Family and to enjoy the quiet solitude of the Williamson River.



Back to Ernie's Casting Pond Home