LOTS OF THIS RECENTLY:))

YAKIMA

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper  5 Feet
Upper Flatlands 6 Feet
Upper Canyon 5 Feet
Farmlands 5-3 Feet
Lower Canyon 3 Feet

Continuing along with a great early season so far. Skwala and the Blue Wing Olive are the predominant bugs with the March Brown about to make its 2022 full on appearance.   A few showing already.

Recent techniques include…
Dry Dropper –  Skwala adult with a CDC Pheasant Tail or Prince
Dry Fly – Skwala renditions, Adams, Royal Parachute, Sparkle Duns
Bobber(indicator) nymphing -Stonefly nymphs, CDC PT’s, Prince Nymphs
Wet Fly Swing – Partridge and PT and Blue dun soft hackles.

Search with the Dry Dropper
Cast dry flies or wet flies to risers

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing as usual on the Upper Columbia is a challenge.  BIG river, nice fish but not a big population.  Predominant tactic would be under tension. Great first group of the season.

The Yakima recently saw a good bump of water but fished right through it. Prior to the bump, the dry fly fishing was A+. Since the bump, the dry fly fishing has dropped to a B…..Pretty good still.

Predominant bugs include Blue Wings and Skwalas.

The Blue Wings have been strong…..with fish responding accordingly.  In addition, fish rising to Blue Wings will take a well presented Skwala usually.

Recent techniques include…
Dry Dropper –  Skwala adult with a CDC Pheasant Tail or Prince
Dry Fly – Skwala renditions, Adams, Royal Parachute, Sparkle Duns
Bobber(indicator) nymphing -Stonefly nymphs, CDC PT’s, Prince Nymphs
Wet Fly Swing – Partridge and PT and Blue dun soft hackles.

Search with the Dry Dropper
Cast dry flies or wet flies to risers

Lots of this happening recently…….

YAKIMA

Verbatim report from one of our senior staff yesterday…

‘Fishing was pretty good today, both deep and shallow. Turned 4 fish on a dry and caught a bunch on the dropper. Skwalas, midges, San Juan’s and princes. Afternoons are best.’

It is that time of year again…. We will see fluctuations in the river based on snow melt directly related to weather.  The dam releases are typically not the culprit this early in the game; The feeder streams are.  The biggest one being the Teanaway.

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper   5 feet
Upper Flatlands   6 feet
Upper Canyon 4 to 5 feet
Farmlands  3 to 4 feet
Lower Canyon  2.5 feet

UPPER COLUMBIA

Water temps are still pretty dang cold right now but the fishing is worthy.  Swing tactics predominantly with a bit of nymphing mixed in.

A variety of lines based on depth and flow needed on this river.  Dry lines to 300 grain shooting heads for the single handers.  Dry lines to Dual density and T-18 for the 2-handers.

Patterns…. Sculpins, Minnows, Stones, Dick nites (lol)

YAKIMA

Currently blown out…. Should be back in shape quickly and the 2022 Skwala season should be game on.

Take advantage of our SKWALA special Here

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

Water temps are still cold but there are some pre spawn rainbows to be had with both nymph and swing tactics.  Clarity is at about 10 feet.  Water temps are around 39.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

We  hooked a large number of smaller fish this season…smaller than usual.  We also hooked some BEASTS :))

The entire coast was shut down early…As of today.  Good season despite three weeks of high pressure and low water.   The scenario has a lot of people wondering ‘what is up’.  We had some tough days swinging flies but all in all it was WORTHY. It is what it is. We shall see what is in the wheelhouse for 23.