H O M E W A T E R S
The trick, of course, is in seeing the fish bridges are tiny (calling them take outs
before they see you. Stealth is essential, is being generous), and won’t allow for
as the fish are sensitive to shadows and much more than a pontoon boat or
vibrations; the Wood’s clear water does canoe. The upper river drifts are fairly
not reward the clumsy or clueless. short; most will find the drift from either
Anglers will do well to avoid wading. bridge to the lake too much water to
The river is small enough that most casts cover in a day, and once you’re past the
can be effectively made from the bank. Weed Road bridge, you’re past the point
In September, the angling focus shifts of no return. Boaters who attempt to
to the “hawg” rainbows that have drift any portion of this modest river will
migrated from the warming waters of want to exercise care, so as not to disrupt
Agency Lake into the Wood to spawn. the fishing of other anglers, although
Though early arrivers will occasionally odds are you won’t encounter many. (In
respond to surface presentations (some Oregon Blue Ribbon Fly Fishing Guide,
fish show up as early as July), anglers John Shewey suggests that boating
find more success swinging big Woolly anglers put in at Petric Park on Agency
Buggers and leeches on sinking lines; a Lake, fish the lake in the morning, then
6- or 7-weight rod is recommended. Not motor up to the lower Wood to fish hoppers 4th Generation Guides. 34 years
as much fun, perhaps, as slapping hoppers in the afternoon.)
experience. 24 years in business in
Alaska, 11 years in Kamchatka, Russia.
against the bank, but how many opportunities A good alternative is to pay a rod fee
Rafting & Fishing—Wild & Scenic
Rivers with Abundant Wildlife! Top
do you have to catch double-digit wild at Horseshoe Ranch (www.thehorse-
Notch Guides, Meals, Equipment &
Bush Flights. 6 to 8 days.
rainbows in a spring creek? shoeranch.com). A fee of $75 gives you
6 Species Salmon, Char, Kunja &
Trophy Rainbow our Specialty!
If the Williamson offers limited public access to six miles of the river. If you’re
access, the Wood offers next to none. There traveling with family (or feel deserving),
is some bank access at Kimball Park in the ranch offers comfortable accommodations,
Fort Klamath, via the Forest Service horseback riding, and easy access to
road, and at Loosely and Weed roads Crater Lake and other natural
where bridges cross the river. Fishing at wonders that lack fins; fishing access is
Weed Road on one occasion, I saw a included for guests. Local fly shops can
large swirl near a bend about 50 yards also help.
downstream. I gingerly ascended the fence Keep in mind that if the brown trout
that separated me from a shot at the big aren’t actively feeding, they can be difficult
brown. As I was ready to touch down, I to locate. If you float the six miles by yourself
spied the meadow’s resident: a black or with a guide in the morning, you can
Angus bull, who eyed me from 100 yards use the trip to locate some appealing
away. (Surveying the beast’s mating holding water along the way, then return
apparatus, there was little question it and fish selective spots in the afternoon.
was a bull!) I wanted a crack at the fish, The Wood River is not suited for
but not that badly. Feeling mildly emascu- tyros, or for anglers seeking a “more-is-
lated, I climbed back over the fence and more” experience. But for those seeking
watched the fish continue to feed from challenging angling for trophy fish in
the bridge. serene and scenic western environs,
Drifting the Wood can be equally Oregon’s Wood will not disappoint.
daunting. The take-out sites at the —Chris Santella
S UMMER 2002 95
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