The 'Sister River' to the Yakima is the Naches. Over the years we have spent many a day on this partial freestone/partial tailwater. We were the first to offer float trips on this beautiful river... for awhile we did not want to let that 'cat out of the bag' as it is a unique and fun fishery.

The Upper Naches river is formed by three rivers...The Bumping, American, and the Little Naches. Two of the rivers, the American and the Little Naches are freestones. Each of these rivers have merrit, but after the confluence of these we find the river to be a bit more consistent. The river is only to be navigated via boat by expert/advanced rowers as it has a high gradient, tight conditions, combined with a bit of white water! Aside from the fishing the actual boat ride and scenery is awesome. As the water subsides in late summer and fall, the wading opportnities are thumbs up.

The Lower Naches river is formed by the Naches and the Tieton. From this joining downstream the river is considered the Naches until it joins the Yakima at the Selah Gap! Hatches are definitely consistent throughout the watershed. Caddis, Yellow Mayflies and Stoneflies are the staple aquatic insects. Small fish and the biomass of the spawning Salmon are another main food source as well. There are some large predator Cutthroat in this system. We tend to not nymph the Naches river much as it seems that it is not needed. We like to dry fly, streamer on the move and swing the fly.

The #1 clue you know you are on the Naches River in the month of July is....You can't figure out if the trip is a fishing trip or a whitewater adventure!

Season June 1- Oct 31

Naches Map and ten year avg flow chart
Naches Reports
Naches Flows