Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Williamson River (Oregon)
The Williamson River in Oregon is primarily a wade fishery. It is a spring creek fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Williamson River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | PMD | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun |
| Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis | |
| June | PMD | #16-18 | Parachute PMD |
| Green Drake | #10-12 | Comparadun Green Drake | |
| July | PMD | #16-18 | PMD Cripple |
| Callibaetis | #14-16 | Callibaetis Sparkle Dun | |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | Parachute BWO | |
| August | Trico | #20-24 | Trico Spinner |
| Callibaetis | #14-16 | Callibaetis Spinner | |
| September | Trico | #20-24 | Trico Spinner |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | Parachute BWO | |
| October | October Caddis | #8-10 | October Caddis Dry |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | CDC BWO |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Williamson River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Williamson River?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and Comparadun, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Williamson River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Williamson River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Williamson River?
- Oregon has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Williamson River?
- Open the Williamson River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Williamson River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Williamson River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Oregon
Trip planning for this region.
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Comparadun
Dry
Sparkle Dun
Dry
Full Swing Outfitters
Ashland Fly Shop
Ashland, OR
Cascade Guides & Outfitters
Fossil, OR
Deschutes River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Grande Ronde River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
John Day River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
McKenzie River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.