YAKIMA

The early morning game is certainly worthy during the hot weather and more so in the lower river…..The Farmlands and the Lower Canyon. The Upper Canyon and the Upper Flatlands have not been so good in the AM with the heat waves. Recently we have seen some cooler weather and the water temps are varying between 60 and low 70’s depending on time and zone. Current big bugs include the Hopper and the Stonefly. Coming soon are the October Caddis and Craneflies as well. Back in the early 90’s it was an awakening when I realized that I could move the fly on the surface to entice the fish to eat. I remember Tony Bynum quoting a Joe Brooks saying…. ‘The only way to fish an adult stonefly is to impart movement’.

If you add up all the big bugs listed above that like to move around when on the surface, it is no wonder the Yakima is a good big dry fly river late summer and early fall.

Dry Fly and dropper is a great choice….
Big Dry Fly Goto’s – Chubby’s, Daves Hopper, Gypsy King,
Dropper Goto’s – Tungsten head is a good idea as they get down fast – #14-18 YB’s, Prince nymphs, Perdigon, Duracell

As much as the big dry fly can be part of the game late summer and early fall, as the season progresses downsizing the nymphs will be crucial. Nymph sizes in the fall are the #16-20 variety, especially in the Lower Canyon.

Also, The lost art of swinging soft hackles is a technique that is almost forgotten…. more to follow on that in the next post.

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KLICKITAT

This river is currently in GREAT shape. The term Steelhead green is appropriate. Flashy has been good for the swing. The real light tips and drylines have not produced much. We have been more ‘down’ in the water column, although tossing some of those lighter lines daily to stay in check. Summer stones are a little late on the Klickitat and when those kick into gear the surface game might get a bit better. Water temp on the Klickitat in the AM up river is 54 degrees; The lower river in the afternoon …. 61degrees.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

While this river doesn’t give up numbers, it does peak your fishing prowess. A day on this river will make you rethink a lot of what you know when it comes to fishing for trout. Your average fish is nooooiiiceee and there are some world class fish swimming in its currents. We open up Black Bear lodge in about 8 days!!

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KVICHAK

We are about 16 days away from opening our operation for the Fall on Alaska’s Kvivhak river. More to follow!

The fish are eating hoppers and summer stones. Dry fly fishing is good to great early, and dry/dropper when the sun gets high. Swinging or stripping a streamer is productive for bigger fish. Crane flies should be here soon! The water temp is in the low 60’s in the early AM and 70 +mid to late afternoon. Our days have been starting as early as possible and off the river by 1-1:30pm. The fish are doing well and we have not had any problem with reviving fish. We are basically self regulating with a hoot owl policy.