PARSHALL FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Vertical Jigging at Dawn: Lake Trout on Williams Fork with Randy Hall
A six-hour guided open-water fishing trip on Williams Fork Reservoir focused on vertically jigging Lake Trout, led by longtime local guide Randy Hall.
Vertical Jigging at Dawn: Lake Trout on Williams Fork with Randy Hall.
On Williams Fork Reservoir, mornings arrive slow and quiet against a rim of Colorado peaks. Join Randy Hall — a Colorado native and senior guide with Fishing with Bernie — for a six-hour open-water outing that pairs expert instruction with a deliberate, vertical jigging pursuit of Lake Trout. The trip supplies rods, reels and electronics; it delivers mountain silence, technical fishing, and the real possibility of bringing fresh fillets home.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Tracker Targa with Pro Electronics
You fish from a clean 19-foot Tracker Targa special edition, equipped with Humminbird and MinnKota electronics to help locate bottom structure and fish. Trips are kept intimate — a maximum of three anglers — so the boat setup and gear are focused on getting each angler into fishable water.
A Quiet, Fishing-Only Reservoir
Williams Fork is a fishing-only lake — no water skiing or jet skis — and is noted for its peaceful, scenic setting. Over four decades Randy has watched the fishery shift from prolific Northern Pike and Kokanee to a Lake Trout focus, making this reservoir a prime spot to target cold-water trout.
Vertical Jigging and On-Boat Processing
The core technique is vertically jigging the lake bottom using Fenwick rods and open-face spinning reels; all fishing gear is provided. At trip’s end Randy will fillet or clean kept fish (heads off) and pack them in zip-lock bags. Trophy-sized fish are documented and released immediately.
What the day feels like
What the Six Hours Feel Like
Expect an early launch into mountain quiet, followed by focused intervals of drifting or holding over structure while vertically jigging for Lake Trout. The rhythm is patient and technical — set up the rod, read the electronics, drop to bottom, and work the jig — with expert guidance from Randy throughout. The outing balances instruction with the unpredictability of open-water fishing; sometimes steady action, sometimes a challenging puzzle, but with a strong track record of catching fish.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who benefits most from this trip — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
All fishing gear is provided; the guide uses Fenwick rods and open-face spinning reels. Pack personal layers, sun protection and a cooler for transporting filleted fish if you plan to keep any.
Trips run from a 19-foot Tracker Targa special edition outfitted with Humminbird and MinnKota electronics to help locate structure and fish.
The trip’s physical requirement is described as low to moderate; the guide will assist anglers through the process if they are new to Lake Trout fishing.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The outing is six hours in duration, typically running from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with flexibility based on lake conditions and client preferences.
Where and when do we meet?
Meet at the east boat ramp of Williams Fork Reservoir at 6:00 AM (start moves to 7:00 AM after Labor Day).
What kind of fish will we target and what are the limits?
The trip targets Lake Trout, which are currently the dominant species; anglers may keep up to four fish under 19 inches per person, and trophy fish are photographed, measured and released.
Is gear provided?
Yes — all fishing gear is provided. The guide fishes with Fenwick rods and open-face spinning reels and uses onboard electronics to help locate fish.
How many people are on the boat?
Trips are limited to a maximum of three anglers.
Will you clean our fish?
At the end of the trip the guide will fillet or clean kept fish (heads off) and put them in zip-lock bags for you.