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WINTER STEELHEAD, YAKIMA & UPPER COLUMBIA 3/26/19

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WINTER STEELHEAD

The Holland Boys with a noooiiiiicce buck

The current weather pattern is appreciated as this winter has seen a lack of precipitation.  The swing fishing has been consistent on certain watersheds as an overall rule.  However recently for my boat my lucky steak was interrupted with a couple blanks.  Regardless, just makes you appreciate every one.

On one occasion recently we had a fish attack the fly abruptly enough to push it to the surface and basically away from her and there was no connection….amazing.

Lines used lately include —
Standard Skagits
FIST
Intermediate Skagits
Rage

Tips used recently include everything from T-8 to T-17

The bobber fishing has been worthy as well…..Yarn is the terminal ‘bug of choice:)

UPPER COLUMBIA

Dave with a sweet UC Bow

Upper Columbia is in amazing shape and fishing good when the weather pattern is stable.  Levels are low on the dam/lake and average at the border make for some great structure.

Best bugs….. #6 Catch All  #4-8 Streamers in yellow/brown, brown, black and natural.

No much for hatches recently.

 

YAKIMA RIVER

Ledford Party
Classic Yakima Bow

The Yakima saw a recent bump in flows due to mega precipitation.  It is currently on the drop.  This last weather pattern ‘kinda’ put a gliche  on the Skwala activity.

Recently the best technique has been fishing the San Jaun worm:)

WINTER STEELHEAD AND YAKIMA REPORT 3/20/18

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WINTER STEELHEAD

Some big fish have been hooked lately on both tactics… Sporadic is the word.  All the rivers are lowwwww , some more clear than others. We would prefer more precipitation.

Quick ties in the evening….. Rabbit and marabou is hard to beat

 

YAKIMA

Cold nights and warm days with lots of sun in the forecast.  Reasonable conditions….We would prefer a few more clouds.   Fishing has been avg. to good depending on the day and zone.

As always, dry fly activity is limited and specific to zones… Skwala dry fly water can be slooowwwww.  Not always, but often.

Blue wings here and there.

 

 

 

YAKIMA AND WINTER STEELHEAD REPORT – 3/15/18

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OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Rick with his first OP Steelhead

The swing fishing has been pretty consistent

Line choices depend on the depth and flow of the run you are fishing.  Recently we have caught fish on everything from 10′ of T-11 to a FIST line with T-17

Make sure you have a line that gets your fly in the zone.

Nymphing has actually been more sporadic recently…..Best choice-> Yarn.

YAKIMA

Bugs dejour…..

We have Skwalas and Baetis.  Above is a half dozen hot patterns for the Skwala.  Stop by the shop and pick some up:)))

Fishing has been avg to great depending on the day and zone.  It is fishing, not catching:)

Afternoon Skwalas have been ‘happy’

 

YAKIMA AND WINTER STEELHEAD REPORT – 3/9/18

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Joel

WINTER STEELHEAD

The last 24 hours we received an inch of much needed rain.  It appears we will not see much more for awhile based on the forecast.  Fishing has been awesome….the catching has been all over the board.  Swingtastic as well as a nymphorama…

Best bug recently -> Peachy Cream
Best nymph -> Yarn

 

YAKIMA RIVER

The 2018 Skwala action is game on…. Every day will be different but the next week should prove to be thumbs up based weather forecast.  Nights at the freezing mark and days at 50…..PERFECT.

Skwala fishing tip…. You may not see a lot of Skwala’s, but the trout know they are there.  At times, the dry will definitely out fish the nymph.

Trout will key on the adult Skwala in a variety of water types; however, error on the slow waters. Grassey banks that are slow – equals thumbs up.

Suggested Pattern Choices -> Images coming soon.

YAKIMA AND WINTER STEELHEAD REPORT – 3/6/18

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YAKIMA REPORT

Fritz on the Yakima

GOOD TO GREAT FISHING AS OF RECENT….

We are always talking about the Skwala hatch at this time of year…However, there are some other insects including the Blue Wing Olive.  Here is one of our favorite patterns for the Blue Wing…. SPARKLE TAIL

In addition to the dry fly fishing sometimes the nymphing can be the mainstay at this time of year…Learn more about the ‘Drift’

WINTER STEELHEAD REPORT

Pretty darn good:) End of story:)

Mike and Larry
Mike and Larry

 

WINTER STEELHEAD AND YAKIMA RIVER REPORT – 3/1/18

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Doing my best to be more current with the reports page….As suggested by Mike and Larry.

Owens and Jack

WINTER STEELHEAD – Got to spend a day with one of our  guests and guide staff yesterday – Ed Fischer took the picture of Chris Owens and me.

Difficult weather yesterday………  We swung hard and nymphed hard and ended up with this nice doe. No complaints.  Just needed one more layer:))

Might catch more if Judge Boldt’s decision got reversed!

Josh

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT
Mark and Josh just spent a day on the Yakima with our veteran guide Keith and enjoyed some good trout fishing.  100 % nymph day with a variety of patterns used.

Best bug of the day – Modified Pat’s Stone Size #10